Filed to story: Sweetheart Do You Still Love Me
Callum answered back confidently,
“In that case, what about we ask the lady beside you whether she’s gonna choose you or me?”
That’s a good idea, thought Arthur as he turned his gaze toward Elspeth.
In an instant, both men eyed Elspeth at the same time.
Elspeth instantly panicked. They’re letting me make the choice? But why? Aren’t they driving me into a corner by doing so? She felt like crying. Her lips parted, but she didn’t know what to say.
Just then, Emma, who had been looking on silently, successfully saved her from the predicament by seeking attention.
“Arthur, don’t tell me that you love Elspeth?”
Jealousy instantly overwhelmed her as she listened to how Arthur and Callum fought for Elspeth’s affection. What has Elspeth done to deserve having two outstanding men fight for her affection? I was the one whom they treated like a princess before; it’s all Elspeth’s fault for taking all of this away from me! At the thought of this, her hatred for Elspeth grew increasingly apparent, to the point where she could no longer hide the resentment in her eyes.
“This is supposed to be none of your business, no?”
Callum replied stiffly. Obviously, he didn’t want to waste time talking to her.
“Callum, I-“
Arthur also didn’t bother to pretend anymore. He said languidly,
“Indeed, this is none of your business. Why don’t you just leave us alone?”
Having never been treated like this before, Emma felt embarrassed at once. She retorted with a forced smile,
“I’m just-“
Before she could say the next word, however, the two men shifted their gaze back to Elspeth without even sparing her a side glance.
Unable to accept such an outcome any longer, Emma turned and ran away with tears sparkling in her eyes, heedless of the fact that they were on an important occasion. I’ll never let Elspeth off for this!
However, nobody noticed where Emma had gone, nor did anyone notice when she left, as both men’s attention was on Elspeth.
Arthur confirmed his suspicion that Callum had recovered his feelings and was now purposely trying to steal Elspeth from him. Well, in that case, I won’t easily give Elspeth up to him. I’ve got a handle on her, after all.
Faced with the ultimate either-or, Elspeth found herself caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. On one hand, there was Helena’s illness, but on the other hand, she couldn’t forsake her feelings for Callum either. They’re just putting me on the spot, no?
Still, with both Arthur and Callum unaware of what each other was thinking at the moment, the choice remained in her hands. Trying to change the subject, Elspeth suggested with a laugh,
“Look at what that lady on the stage is wearing! She looks so pretty in it. Should we go and ask later what it is made of?”
Callum’s eyes grew frosty.
“Don’t get off-topic at this time.”
Neither was Arthur paying attention to the clothes worn by that lady on stage, for his eyes seemed glued to Elspeth’s face.
“Elsie, you’d better make yourself clear to me, or I might not be able to do what I promised you earlier.”
Even though he was smiling, Elspeth sensed a hint of danger in it. She forced a smile and took a few steps back. Help! Can anyone tell me how I should choose between them?
Elspeth had never been faced with such a difficult choice.
Looking at Callum’s fiery stare, she gritted her teeth and grabbed Arthur’s arm, saying,
“You were the one who said things ended between the two of us a long time ago, so don’t come looking for me again.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Elspeth was afraid that Callum would say something vulgar again, so she hastily dragged Arthur away.
“All right, didn’t you just say that you were going to show me something fun? Let’s go now.”
While being pulled forward by Elspeth, Arthur was inwardly surprised, as if he could not believe that she had chosen him. But nonetheless, she had made her choice. He thus turned back to send a smug look at Callum. He was the one who won this round!
Behind him, Callum had an unreadable gaze. He couldn’t figure out what Elspeth was thinking, but since she had done so, and right in front of him no less, she must have her reasons. I’ll just ask her later.
At that thought, he breathed in deeply, letting go of his displeasure. Still, he couldn’t help but think that Elspeth holding Arthur’s arm really was a sore sight.
Meanwhile, Elspeth dragged Arthur to the stage nearby and only eased up once Callum disappeared from her sight.
“You are really strange today.”
Although he was immersed in the joy of his earlier victory, Arthur did not completely lose his senses and looked at Elspeth teasingly instead.
“Of course not. You said it yourself that he abandoned me first. I’m just doing what he wants.”
Elspeth tried her best to act as if she detested Callum. The purpose of her visit today was not to deal with the mess between the three of them but to find Rayan and get his scimitar.
Upon seeing her drifting gaze, he asked,
“Are you looking for someone?”
She had just left Callum, so she clearly wasn’t looking for him.
“If I tell you, you have to keep it a secret for me.”
All of a sudden, she regretted dragging him over, but since he asked, she had to dismiss him with a reply somehow.
Upon seeing that she did not have even the most basic trust in him, Arthur frowned.
“You can’t be so suspicious of me now because I treated you badly in the past, can you?”
“Who knows if you’ll suddenly change your mind and find a chance to get me killed?”
Elspeth refuted, unable to fathom his temper at all.
These words naturally elicited Arthur’s surprise. Upon seeing her wariness toward him, he put up three fingers and swore,
“In that case, I’ll give you my word now. As long as you don’t interfere with my business, I absolutely won’t lay a finger on you again.”
Once the peace contract was signed, it was a done deal.
Feeling much more relieved, Elspeth said,
“Alright, I’ll tell you now. The reason I came to work in the red light district was to get the medicinal herb capable of curing Isabel’s disease. The price I was offered was Rayan Adler’s scimitar, and I heard that he was coming over today to take part in the Fashion Week, so I wanted to give it a go.”
As soon as she spoke, Arthur’s expression faltered slightly, and he inquired in a low voice,
“Tell me the truth. You’re not going to just steal it, are you?”
Elspeth shook her head.
“Of course not. A figure like him must have a lot of bodyguards protecting him. If I try to steal it from him, that’s nothing more than a death wish.”
“Then, what are you planning to do?”
Arthur slightly relaxed at her words, thinking that she was right. Besides, she was never a foolhardy person who would do something without a plan, so she must have her own ideas.
“I’m planning to… make him willingly hand it over to me,”
Elspeth said with a bright smile.
As he looked at the familiar smile on her face, Arthur knew what she was scheming.
“Wait, you’re using the honey trap again?”
Elspeth scoffed coldly. As she chatted with him, she glanced around, observing her surroundings until her eyes finally locked on a rotund man.
“Okay, we’re done talking here. I’m heading over now.”
