Hiding Behind Her Superficiality

Chapter 149

As Elspeth looked at the young woman in front of her who had a sweet smile and an innocent, adorable face, she couldn’t help but think of the woman she never met but could never forget.

Emma, Callum’s first love.

This woman shares a similar style and features to Emma.

Elspeth’s mind flashed back to Ginna, the young woman she saw at the interview, and to her surprise, Ginna looked a little similar to the woman in front of her now. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Callum’s composure broke when the young woman started speaking.

“What’s the matter, Callum?”

Elspeth was the first to notice that something was off about Callum and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing.”

Callum shook his head lightly. He began flipping through the papers on the table. The young woman had a list of impressive credentials, but it was the name Emma Gatling that pierced him right through the soul.

How can there be such a coincidence? They have similar looks and similar silhouettes. Even their first names are identical, with the only difference being their last name.

Elspeth saw the name as well. Her chest constricted. She felt as if she couldn’t breathe.

“Do you want to hire her?”

Callum checked the whole document, and once he saw that she majored in design, he nodded. “Since she majored in design and received this many international awards, those that came before her don’t stand out in any way over her. Let’s make her the director of the Design Department.”

Although Callum’s reasoning was solid, Elspeth still felt as if her heart was being pricked by something.

“Isn’t it a bit early to make this decision? Let’s wait until she’s worked for the company for a little longer first.”

Callum glanced at her in confusion. “Didn’t we say that we were going to choose the Design Department’s director from one of the new candidates?”

“She should at least go through a probationary period with the company, right? Otherwise, the other employees might not be too pleased if they heard about this.”

Elspeth had a point too, so Callum didn’t fight her on this. He got his secretary to take the new hires away.

It was customary for the senior executives at Winthrop Group to mentor the new hires. As the vice president, Elspeth was tasked with mentoring Emma.

“Hello, Miss Lynwood. I’m Emma Gatling. I graduated from the same university as you, so you’re my senior.”

Emma introduced herself in a friendly and personable manner. She had a pleasant smile that made it hard for others to dislike her, but due to her face, Elspeth couldn’t develop any fondness for her at all.

“What do you wish to learn? I’m neither knowledgeable nor accomplished, so there might not be much you could glean from me.”

Emma reacted with a shocked expression. “When I was still in school, everyone heard about what you did. Although you graduated two years ahead, the stories of your glorious accomplishments are still ringing in the halls of the school.”

These were mere words of courtesy. Elspeth couldn’t be bothered to listen to them. She smiled politely before showing Emma to a desk.

“Since we’re from the same college, can I call you Elspeth?”

Elspeth nodded. “Sure. I’ll be mentoring you now. If there’s anything you’re unsure of, feel free to ask me.”

“Thanks, Elspeth. I have a question now, actually.”

“What is it?”

“Can you buy me a cup of coffee, Elspeth? I just came here, and I don’t know where the shops are.”

What a request… Is she trying to order me around like an errand girl?

Elspeth’s brows creased slightly. She pointed at the coffee machine nearby and said, “You can use that coffee machine for free. Just prepare a cup for yourself whenever you want. If you think it’s too much work, then there’s also instant coffee over there.”

“I’m not used to drinking those types of coffee, Elspeth. Please help me out with this, if that’s okay with you. I’d like a velvet latte from Rossin. You’re such a nice person, Elspeth. I’m sure you won’t refuse to help me, right?”

Emma’s smile looked so harmless that Elspeth couldn’t tell whether Emma truly needed help or was trying to mess with her.

“You can just have it delivered.”

Emma shook her head in all seriousness. “You never know whether that’s sanitary or not. It’s better if you saw the coffee being prepared in person.”

Why don’t you go over yourself then? These words were on the tip of Elspeth’s tongue, but in the end, she swallowed the question back down.

Emma’s expression turned a little awkward. It was as if she noticed Elspeth’s reaction.

Well, it’s just this once. There’s no harm in helping her.

Elspeth smiled and said, “Wait here. I’ll go and get it for you in a moment.”

Emma broke out into a smile. “Thanks, Elspeth.”

Elspeth got her bag and left. As soon as she stepped out of the office, she ran into Callum who looked a little disheveled as he rushed back into the office. Before she could greet him, he walked off as if he hadn’t seen her.

Elspeth stared after him from behind. He walked straight over to Emma’s desk and bent down to talk to her. Elspeth didn’t know what he said, but Emma soon cupped her lips and laughed sweetly.

I hope I’m overthinking this.

Elspeth shook her head and drove out to the coffee shop.

After buying the coffee, Elspeth ended up getting caught in rush hour traffic. She started getting frazzled as she watched the time slowly ticking away.

She felt a little uneasy as well.

All of a sudden, her phone rang. She answered the call and heard Callum’s deep, stern voice coming through. “Where are you now, Elspeth?”

“I’m out buying coffee,” Elspeth answered in all honesty.

“It’s still working hours now. There’s coffee in the office and you can also have it delivered, so you don’t need to go out and buy it yourself.”

Callum did his best to control his tone, but Elspeth still caught the reproach in his voice.

Her mood soured right away. She wanted to explain herself but what Callum said next stopped her. “We’re having a meeting in five minutes. I already informed everyone about this an hour ago. Didn’t you get the message?”

Elspeth was startled. What meeting?

“I didn’t hear about it.”

“Remember to check your texts next time.”

Callum sighed. “You were always a careful, meticulous person, Elspeth. What made you like this today?”

Before Elspeth could defend herself, Callum ended the call by saying the meeting was about to start.

Elspeth checked her texts. She hadn’t seen it at all, but it was sitting there quietly in her list of read texts.

She stared at the cup of coffee on her front passenger seat. While she didn’t know what to say, she felt her heart constricting in pain as a hoard of negative emotions spread through her.

After nearly half an hour of getting stuck in traffic, the roads started clearing up again. Heavy rain started falling, and it seemed to reflect Elspeth’s mood as she slowly drove down the streets.

She was back at the office, but just as she was about to get out of the car, she realized that she didn’t have an umbrella. Callum wasn’t picking up her calls, so she gritted her teeth and jogged back into the office with the coffee in hand.

The rain was too heavy, and the bag was completely drenched. Elspeth was also soaking wet as she held the coffee out in front of Emma and said coolly, “Your coffee.”

Emma frowned as if she didn’t know what Elspeth was doing. “What coffee?”

“Isn’t this the coffee you wanted?”

“When did I ask you to get me coffee?” Emma exclaimed in startlement.