Hiding Behind Her Superficiality by Kyla Olson

Chapter 543

Chapter 543

Chapter 543 Too Good to Be True

“That place is so empty. Stay at the Winthrop Residence for a few days first,” Elspeth suggested. “That place is so empty. Stay at the Winthrop Residence for a few days first,” Elspeth suggested.

“Very well. thank you so much, Miss Elspeth.”

Isabel’s maturity made Elspeth even more worried.

“It’s fine, Isabel. We’re family, after all.”

Elspeth had a hand on Isabel’s shoulder while staring down at Isabel’s red eyes. Her voice was gentle and patient as she reassured Isabel while they walked.

It took a long time before Isabel recovered from her previous emotional state.

Once Gilbert brought Isabel’s bags over, Isabel finally settled down in the Winthrop Residence.

…

Meanwhile, Elspeth hid Helia away in a nearby villa to prevent people from finding out about her.

Though moving her was done to stop others from realizing she was there, the other reason was that it was more convenient to take care of her.

One day after work, Elspeth headed over to that villa to bring Helia some gifts, but Helia was nowhere to be found.

She immediately assumed Helia had been kidnapped. She was about to call for someone to look for Helia when Helia happily walked into the villa with a bag of vegetables in her hand.

Walking beside her was Isabel who was dressed in casual clothes.

A look of astonishment flashed on Isabel’s face when she saw Elspeth, but she soon regained her calm.

“Why are you here, Miss Elspeth?”

Elspeth was startled as well to see Isabel together with Helia. “How did you two know each other?”

Before Isabel could answer, Helia replied, “Well, one day when I was out buying groceries, my back suddenly flared up in pain when I was near the street corner. By chance, I bumped into Isabel. She helped carry my bags back. It was only later that I found out she was a child you raised and that she was your sister. I thought it to be fate that we bumped into each other, so I began to hang out with her.”

The more Helia witnessed Isabel’s sweet and demure nature, the more she liked Isabel.

Elspeth was an adult now, and she was her own independent woman who did not need Helia to fret over. Thus, Helia never had the chance to be a mother.

Isabel’s appearance just so happened to be someone she could use to fulfill her maternal desires.

“It’s nice that you two are getting along.”

Elspeth was reassured by their friendship. Helia had been feeling rather lonely living alone, and Isabel just went through a difficult time; it was good that they could find comfort in each other.

“Yes. I really like Isabel.” Helia happily grabbed Isabel’s hand and gently patted it. “This girl has been by my side whenever you’re not around. She’s so considerate and caring.”

Seeing how close the two were, Elspeth pretended to be jealous and said, “You’re closer to her than you are to your own daughter.”

Isabel shyly ducked her head down as she objected with a hint of fear in her voice, “No, that’s not true. You’ll always be the most important person to Miss Joneson. You’re her actual daughter, after all.”

Her response made Elspeth stop joking around and walk over to stroke Isabel’s head.

“Don’t worry. I was only fooling around.”

Isabel nodded. “I know.”

Helia, who had been watching them interact with a smile on her face, suddenly grabbed her head and moaned about a migraine.

Elspeth swiftly hurried over to support Helia. “What happened? Why does your head hurt?”

“It’s nothing. I’ve always had this issue.”

However, Helia’s body started swaying as soon as she finished speaking.

It did not seem like an ordinary migraine.

“Why don’t you go to a hospital and get it checked out?” Elspeth was about to head outside to get the car ready, but as soon as she reached the door, she heard a loud crash behind her.

She turned around to find Helia unconscious and sprawled out on the floor.

Isabel was shocked. She quickly kneeled to check on Helia.

Elspeth dashed back as well to Helia’s side and held her fingers near Helia’s nose to check her breathing.

Helia’s breaths were faint and weak. As expected, this was no ordinary illness.

Elspeth did not dare dally any longer. She moved Helia on her back and carried her over to the car.

“Isabel, I’ll be bringing my mom to the hospital. Callum won’t be back tonight either. You can take care of your own meal, right?”

Isabel nervously took a few steps forward. “Why don’t I go with you? I have experience in taking care of sick people. I can help.”

“It’s fine,” Elspeth said reassuringly. Hearing that, Isabel stopped protesting and nodded, agreeing to stay at home.

Elspeth thereafter shot Isabel one last meaningful look before driving away.

However, before she drove off, she called the Winthrop Residence. She only stopped frowning after she heard Ms. Layme confirm her instructions.

She then called Callum after hanging up the call.

“Find an excuse to stay away from home later, Callum.”

He immediately knew what she meant by that. “I understand.”

Elspeth bumped into Arthur after dropping Helia off at the hospital.

It was such a small world. The moment she spotted him calmly staring at her, her entire body was filled with unease.

“What a coincidence for us to meet in the hospital again.”

She rolled her eyes. By now, she was unable to muster anything polite to say to him.

“I find myself rather cursed to bump into you.”

“Why are you here in the hospital again?” he asked in faux nonchalance, his gaze sweeping across every inch of her skin.

She took a few steps back and shoved her hands in her pockets. “Mind your own business,” she calmly stated.

“Why are you so cold all the time?” He clicked his tongue. “One day, you’ll know that I am the only one who will ever be good to you.”

His amorous appearance nearly made her vomit out last night’s dinner out of disgust. “Have your own words turned you delusional? Do you really think you’re being especially romantic?”

He had not expected her to mock him. As he heard her words, his face twisted into a look even uglier than if he had to eat something bad.

“You—”

However, that was just how Elspeth was; she was always cold and callous to those she did not like.

That was also one of the reasons he liked her.

The more stubborn she was, the greater his desire to conquer her.

Thus, she was exactly what he wanted.

In the end, he suppressed his rage and forced out a smile.

“While I love you and will never hurt you, that does not mean I will not hurt those around you, Elspeth.”

The obvious threat in his voice made her go stiff.

“Mom…”

She recalled how Helia suddenly fainted. Combined with his words, she was absolutely certain that he was connected to Helia’s fainting.

However, Elspeth did not have any proof just yet.

“Don’t look at me like that or you’ll make me want to bully you.”

Arthur continued to speak in his usual lackadaisical manner as though he did not know just how revolting his words were.

She felt her blood turn to ice. The disgust and hate she felt for him reached a boiling point.

Glaring at him and his grin, she slowly spat out, “I’m warning you; I will never forgive you if you do anything to my family.”