As for Emma, her heart was throbbing in pain as she cried. “Even if you don’t like me anymore, Callum,” she said as tears rolled down her cheeks. “We were once in love. Why are you being so cruel to me?”
Elspeth could not contain her sarcasm in response to Emma’s dishonest behavior. “You brought up your previous relationship with him while his current girlfriend was present. Three guesses as to why he was so vicious.”
What else is there to say besides being disgusted?
“I—” Emma ducked her head down, hiding the intense fury burning in her eyes. While she would love to slap Elspeth right then and there, everyone was watching. She had to make everyone think Elspeth was the bully.
However, to her surprise, Arthur decided to step up and calm everyone down. “It’s all in the past, so let’s leave it be,” he said with a smile. “After all, Callum is dating Elspeth now, and Emma is happy for them.”
Emma nodded with a look of gratitude on her face.
“Dad’s birthday party is happening in a few days,” he continued. “I plan on returning to do my duties as his son.”
Max’s hands clenched into fists as he retorted, “Return? Arthur, how can you say that without embarrassment? I have yet to deal with you for how badly you angered dad last time. You have the nerve to offer yourself up!”
Edmund shot Max a look as he coldly said, “Why do you care about someone like that? His skin was thicker than a city’s defenses. Who knows what he actually thinks about all this?”
Evidently, none of the Winthrops liked Arthur anymore.
However, Arthur acted as though he heard nothing as his smile remained gentle and calm. “Then, it’s settled. If that’s all, I have to go. See you the day after tomorrow.” Afterward, he stood up and left.
The other Winthrop men were only relaxed after he left the room.
To regain her dignity, Emma passed a plate of food to Max. “Don’t blank out. Here, I think you love this dish the most.”
“Thank you, sis,” he replied without thinking.
Emma’s smile brightened. She then shot Elspeth a smug look as if it were proof that she was the hostess.
Soon, Edmund glared at Max. “What did you say?”
It was only then that Max noticed he had made a mistake. “I’m sorry for misspeaking,” he said, glancing awkwardly at Elspeth.
Elspeth had to admit that Emma was successful in grossing her out.
“Why, what a natural Miss Walker is at offering food to others. If memory serves me right, I am paying for the meal. If I don’t like someone, I can ask her to leave immediately.” Elspeth narrowed her eyes as she said that in a mocking tone. It was clear to everyone who “her” was.
If Emma could not hear the message, she would have lived under a rock for over twenty years.
“Callum went to pay now, so I think it shouldn’t be you, Miss Lynwood.”
Suddenly, Elspeth glanced at Callum, seated beside her, before asking him with a raised eyebrow, “Do you have a problem with paying when I am the host of the meal?”
“Not at all,” he calmly answered after wiping his mouth. Callum’s answer was a blatant show of protecting Elspeth.
If Emma had stayed at the stable longer, she might die from anger and frustration. So, she rose to her feet and uttered, “If you don’t like me, I’ll leave.”
“It’s good that you’re self-aware,” Elspeth languidly said. “Still, you’re a little slow at that.”
Emma had been prepared to take a step forward when she heard that. It caught her by surprise, almost making her trip and fall. She is so rude and disrespectful! Hence, Emma decided to let herself fall in Callum’s direction. While he no longer liked her, the situation was about morals. Therefore, no matter what, he would…
Bam!
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