Sweetheart, Do You Still Love Me?

The masked man laughed. “A hundred and fifty grand? You’re just a woman whom we found drifting in

the sea. You don’t have a hundred and fifty grand.”

Elspeth said loudly, “But I do. I am the president of Azure Corporation.”

The masked men froze. Even they had heard of Azure’s fame, and rumors said that their president was

a young lady named Elspeth.

“That’s me. I’m Elspeth.”

The masked man paled. “Y-You’re Elspeth?”

“Yes. Now you know I can afford the ransom.” Elspeth looked at the masked man with fury in her eyes.

“Fine. I do. I lost.” The masked man tossed his weapon away in dejection. His men surrendered as well

and came over to Elspeth.

Elspeth forgave the masked man on Elias’ behalf, though he would be locked in his room for three days

and subjected to constant surveillance.

The crisis was solved, but Elspeth shrugged it off easily, and she yawned. “Here, sit with me, Elias.”

Elias kept his silence the whole time, but he was staring at Elspeth with a smile. “Of course.” So, she’s

Elspeth. No wonder Irving wants to be her godfather. I like her too.

“You must know who I am at this point,” said Elias.

“That’s my line.” Elspeth popped some meat into her mouth. It’s okay, but it needs to be cooked more.

“Dad got himself an interesting goddaughter.” Elias didn’t eat. Instead, he crossed his arms and rubbed

his chin pensively.

“Ah, you flatter me,” Elspeth answered absentmindedly. Her eyes were glued to the food, deciding on

what to eat next.

Elias was glad that she was happy about the food. Three days later, their boat docked, and Elias

hopped off first. He ordered his men to move the cargo to the port. Elspeth looked around for a moment

and hopped off as well. Elias smiled at her. “Leaving so soon?”

As if. “I don’t know this place, I have no money, and I lost my ID. I can’t leave even if I want to.”

Elias rubbed his chin again. “True. You lost all your stuff in the sea.”

You really don’t have to remind me of that.

“Why don’t you come to my place, then? Dad’s there.” Okay, this is an opportunity. “He has been dying

to see you, but you didn’t have time. This is the perfect chance to see him.”

Elias smiled brightly, but Elspeth felt a shudder down her spine for some reason. Yet she had no other

place to go, so she agreed to the invitation.

He made a call, and half an hour later, a Lincoln limousine came to pick them up. Elspeth’s lips

twitched. “This is overkill.”

He ignored her comment, approached the limousine, and then got in the car. “Get in. Don’t just stand

there.”

Elspeth followed him. The first thing she saw in the car was a small table filled with all kinds of wine

glasses.

Elias didn’t seem to be interested in the alcohol. He looked at Elspeth and got what she was thinking,

so he answered, “It’s my dad’s. I don’t drink.”

She nodded. “Mr. Irving’s hobbies are… peculiar.” First a house made of gold, and now wine glasses of

all shapes and colors.

He leaned on the seat and frowned. Peculiar? She’s probably kidding. “I thought you’re his

goddaughter. Why the formal address?”

“I’m not his goddaughter. That was an accident. I didn’t mean it.”

Elias shrugged. “If my dad knows you didn’t mean what you said, he’s going to cry.”

He’s going to cry? Why? Just then, the limousine came to a stop before a villa.

“We’re here. Let’s go.” Elias got out of the car and opened the door for Elspeth.

Resplendent. Irving really does love his pretty decor.

Elias led Elspeth to the villa’s front door, but before he could open the door, someone flung it open,

revealing a familiar face behind it. “Elspeth. You’re finally here. So, tell me, what brings you to my

humble abode.”

Wait. I didn’t come here because I wanted to. Elspeth noticed Elias trying to chuckle. Alright, you

explain. “Elias, tell Mr. Irving what really happened.”

Irving’s face fell. “Mr. Irving? Why, it’s only been days since I last saw you. Why the formality?” He then

shot Elias a glare. “You’re a cheeky one. It’s because of you, isn’t it?”

Elias rolled his eyes. “It’s not my fault, Dad.”

“I bet it is. You must’ve done something to make her think I don’t like her!”

Oh no. I don’t like the looks of this. I have to stop him from starting a lecture. “Alright, fine. It’s not his

fault, Uncle Irving.”

Delighted by the change of address, Irving let things slide, and he led them to the living room. All of

them sat on the sofa and made small talk. Eventually, they told Irving about the earlier crisis, and he

frowned. “What? You jumped into the sea, and the waves took you to the brat’s ship?”

Elspeth nodded. “Yes. Arthur sent his henchmen after me. I had no choice but to jump ship. Literally.”

I think I’ve heard of that Arthur kid, Irving thought. “The same Arthur who had a falling out with the

Winthrops?”

“The very same.”

Irving spat. “That blasted ingrate. The Winthrops raised a fiend, I say. A fiend who’s out for his own

brothers’ blood.” Oh, wait. “He tried to sabotage you last time, didn’t he?”

“Yes, that too.” Elspeth sighed. “You saved Callum and me back then.”

He slammed the table in fury. “That bloody b*stard tried to kill you! Well, he’s going to pay for it!”