Chapter 21 The Hiking Incident
Hiking… A tiring and hot activity in which they all had no interest.
“Dad, I have a few operations scheduled, so it might not be convenient.”
Raising to his feet, Arthur was about to leave when he was grabbed by his father. “So? Does your hospital not have other doctors besides you?”
Arthur let out a nervous laugh while tapping his nose. That naturally made Blake and Max, who were about to make up their own excuses, keep quiet as well.
“So, it’s settled. We’ll leave in a short while.”
No one could reject Theodore’s orders, so they all changed into appropriate clothes and went to the most famous hiking spot in the city. When they arrived, Elspeth immediately spotted Ophelia, who was all smiles and wearing a gentle-looking dress.
Margot beamed when she saw her favorite ‘daughter-in-law’. “Ophelia, I didn’t expect you to come. I thought you wouldn’t make it.”
“Mrs. Winthrop, how can I say no to your invitation?” While tugging on Margot’s hand, Ophelia replied obediently.
The straightforward Max took a look at Ophelia’s clothes and pursed his lips. “When do people ever wear such a long dress for hiking? How do you expect to hike up the hill in this getup?”
Elspeth, on the other hand, grinned slightly. Max, you’re starting to be interesting.
Ophelia turned pale as she bit her lower lip. “I’m sorry. I don’t hike that often, so I didn’t know…”
Sensing her incoming crocodile tears, Elspeth felt a headache arriving. This woman might be up to something. I wouldn’t have come if I had known she was coming.
“That’s enough. Why do you care about what she wears?” Margot rolled her eyes and tugged on Ophelia’s hand. “Ophelia, let’s go. We’ll take the lead.”
She smiled through her tears. “Sure.”
Later, the two walked in front while Elspeth and the five trailed behind them, leaving Theodore at the back of the line.
to joke with a raised eyebrow. “Callum, you’re as quiet as a mouse, which is exactly
taunts. Not paying attention to her track, she accidentally stepped and
“Ouch!” She clutched her ankle with
looked down at her with
“I sprained my
“Can you
that Elspeth was breaking out in cold sweat, Callum decided to carry her into his arms when he
embrace due to her menstrual cramp. This time, she was fully awake, so she could feel his strong heartbeat and smell the fragrance of fresh mint wafting from him. “Set me down. I can walk on my
disregarded her resistance and continued walking. “There’s
obediently stayed in
happened and smiled wickedly. “Oh, Callum. I didn’t expect you to have a soft side.
So, a woman whom Callum
nonsense,” Callum reprimanded
Max rolled his
his manager on the phone, so both of them did not have
was not the case for Ophelia as she had to witness the love of her life carrying Elspeth in his
fell, which alerted Margot. Seeing that Ophelia was upset, Margot
“Callum… Does he
sharply and saw Elspeth being carried in Callum’s arms, which made her
to the hospital to receive treatment. Then, Margot took advantage of
“Elspeth, I have something to say to
Margot entering the room, she began to wonder whether an issue had
make it as subtle as she could, but Elspeth caught on immediately. “No, we’re
have about him, nor do I care about your relationship with him, but let me make it clear that I will never agree to the idea of you being with Callum. You can stop with
It turns out she came here with a warning. Casually smiling, Elspeth promised her.
that Margot had spoken her mind and gotten Elspeth’s promise, she felt assured and revealed a satisfied smile. “To tell you the truth, my other four sons are equally excellent, so you can choose any of them. Elspeth, you’re
However, this incident did not affect Elspeth’s mood as she sat on her
‘You there?’
‘What’s the matter, Elspeth?’
‘Send me a few of those great medicinal liquor. They’re in the warehouse’s bottom drawer.”
‘Have you hurt yourself again? Elspeth, your luck sucks.”
She was at a loss for words. Thanks for making me feel better, dude.
Just as she finished chatting with him, Edmund came in. “Miss Lynwood, are you feeling better?”
He casually sat down beside the bed as if they were very close friends. However, Elspeth was unfazed, “Mr. Edmund, may I ask why you’re here?”
“I’m here out of concern for you, Elspeth.” While saying that, he wore an indecipherable smile.
She was clear that both of them had not gone past the acquaintance stage, so he must have conjured up a plan by coming here. “Just spill. I’m not interested in playing charades with you.”
Hooking his lips, Edmund replied, “Then, what if I say that I’m interested in you?”
When Elspeth heard that, her lips twitched uncontrollably. “And you think I’d just innocently believe that?”
He then leaned toward her while the smile on his face became wider. “Why don’t you believe me? It makes me sad.”
Feeling grossed out by his approach, she backed away to avoid any physical contact with him. “Please behave yourself.”
Not minding her words, he asked, “What are you afraid of?”
At that moment, Callum came in through the door and saw the two in an intimate position. His eyes darkened a little. “Am I disturbing your moment?”
The scene before him was quite an eyesore for him, but Edmund was overjoyed when he noticed the slight changes on Callum’s countenance. “Nope. Just like you, I came here to visit Elsie.”
Edmund deliberately used a nickname to imply that they had a close relationship. He even spoke the word ‘Elsie’ in such an ambiguous, playful way.