Hiding Behind Her Superficiality
Chapter 154

Chapter 154

Chapter 154

Elspeth blushed after being questioned. As she looked at the solemn Callum, she replied nonchalantly,“Mm.” Since Callum was observant, she dared not lie to him.

“I was worried that you might think I have an ulterior motive… Would you let me stay at Winthrop Groupif you found out about my identity?”

“Yes,” Callum replied without hesitation.

“Alright, I’ll admit that I was being narrow-minded.”

However, Callum’s expression remained solemn. “So, what are your plans after revealing youridentity?” He was worried that she would leave Winthrop Group after her identity as the president ofAzure Corporation was revealed.

“Don’t worry about that. I won’t go back to Azure Corporation.” Elspeth couldn’t help but chuckle afterfiguring out what he was concerned about. Callum’s grave expression finally brightened up by a tad.

“Earlier on, you mentioned that Winthrop Group will belong to me. Do you still mean it?” Elspeth teasedhim when she saw how grim his expression was. She was trying to lighten the mood, but Callum took itseriously.

Of course, Callum wouldn’t hand it over to her just like that. As he stood up, he replied nonchalantly,“Winthrop Group will be yours if you get engaged to me.”

“Callum, doesn’t it occur to you that you might be asking for trouble?” she asked in surprise as she hadnever seen such an upfront person that would give his established company away as promised.

“I can start another company after giving it away but where can I replace another wife after she has leftme?” Callum smiled.

Elspeth blushed at the mention of the word ‘wife’. I never said that I’m going to be his wife. He soundedlike she would agree to marry him immediately. “Stop with the nonsense. I never said that I’m going toget engaged to you.”

“Oh?” His gaze darkened after hearing that. “Can you repeat yourself?”

Seeing how he was inching toward her, she immediately took a step back. “I haven’t had time to thinkabout it and you shouldn’t be forcing me. Shouldn’t we let it happen naturally?” She realized that shewas the one asking for trouble!

“When are you going to marry me if I don’t pressure you to do it?” Callum pulled her into his arms andwhispered in her ears.

“Why are you in such a rush?”

“I can’t wait any longer.” The thought of numerous men hovering around Elspeth made him furious.Blake, Jordan, Harper, and the abnormal Arthur… All of them seem to be interested in Elspeth. If hedidn’t make her his wife soon, he was afraid that they might cause a stir between them.

Although Elspeth was touched by his reply, she would still be troubled even if both of them weretogether. “Let’s not rush it. There’s something that I need to take care of.”

There had always been a matter that gnawed at her mind, which was the unresolved matter about hermother. She believed that there must be something behind her mother’s departure. Her motherwouldn’t have left them heartlessly when she was that in love with her father. However, it was a bigmystery and she had no idea where to start. If this matter wasn’t resolved, she wouldn’t feel at easewhen she was with Callum.

“You must have heard that my mom and dad had a conflict, and she left us after that.” Elspeth lookedat Callum with flickering eyes, and she seemed dispirited.

“I know.” He gently caressed her hair.

“I would like to replace my mother first before getting engaged.”

“Don’t you hate her?”

“She left us when I was young, so I had no memory of it. However, I know that she is a kind woman soshe wouldn’t have given up on us that easily. I suspect that there’s more to it.” Elspeth shook her head.

Callum could understand her suggestion since anyone would wish that their parents were present towitness them getting engaged and married. Since Elspeth’s father had passed away and her mothercould still be found, Callum had no reason to disagree. “Let’s look for her together.”

“Thank you, Callum.” Elspeth finally let out a smile.

“No problem. Let’s head home now. I think my dad might know something about it. You can ask him.Maybe we might get some clues from there.” Hearing that, she nodded and both of them headed to theWinthrop Residence after getting off work.

When Theodore, who was reading the papers on the couch, saw the couple walking in together, he feltsomewhat emotional. Elspeth went up to him to greet him before asking tentatively, “Mr. Winthrop, Iheard that you were close to my parents. Could you please tell me about what happened in the past?”

Theodore couldn’t bring himself to reject her request when she saw how eager she was to know thetruth. Although the incident bothered him still, he was willing to let her know about it.

“Your parents are kind people, alas… Your mother went missing when you were two years old. PoorDavion had to carry on with life and raise a two-year-old by himself.”

Theodore was ruminating about the past, but Elspeth’s emotions were stirred up by it. “Missing?”

Noticing that Elspeth might not be aware of the truth, Theodore realized that he might have misspokenand he suddenly didn’t know what to say. “Elsie, didn’t… you know about this incident?”

“Before this, my dad told me that my mom was mad at him, so she left. She hadn’t come back eversince.” Elspeth shook her head. It seemed like her hunch was right. It wasn’t that her mother had left, itwas because she had gone missing.

Hearing that, Theodore let out a sigh. “Your father was indeed seriously ill and was left with ten years tolive. Because of that, he didn’t want to hold your mother back. He planned to send her back to her ownfamily, but she suddenly went missing. There wasn’t any news about her. He probably kept it a secretfrom you as he was worried that you might concern yourself with it and affect your studies.” Theodorethen smiled. “She would have been very proud if she knew that her daughter had turned out to be anoutstanding and beautiful woman.”

Elspeth knew that Theodore was trying to comfort her, but she couldn’t help feeling sorrowful. “I’m sureI’ll be able to locate her since she went missing.”

Theodore, who wasn’t expecting her to have such an intention, felt touched by her decision. “All theseyears, I helped your father look for her, and the search even continued after your father passed away.Alas, there isn’t any trace of her.”

What could have been the reason behind Mom’s disappearance? So many years had passed, butthere was no news about her. The thought of it made Elspeth frown.

“Right, do you know about your mother’s family?”

Elspeth was caught off guard when Theodore suddenly asked her about it. Since Theodore wasconcerned about her, she decided to let him know that she had investigated them, but she hid the fact

that she had met the Jonesons earlier on. “I did a check on them. They are the Jonesons from Blaydal.”Since the Joneson Family was affluent, it was easy to get information about them.

Theodore nodded. “You’re right. They are the Jonesons from Blaydal. However, they had alwayslooked down on your father, thus—”

He was interrupted by the butler who scurried over. “Sir, a group of men appeared at our doorstep andthey requested to see Miss Lynwood.”