He looked very much like Frank but without the delicate aloof features. He appeared a little young with his rounded eyes, which seemed to be smiling at the edges, and a dimple on his cheek.
It didn’t occur to her that Kenneth would look younger than Frank.
“You’re Elspeth—no, wait. You’re Elsie, right?”
Next to them, Frank couldn’t figure out what they were speaking about and nodded in a daze.
Bursting into laughter, Elspeth said, “You actually made your way here? You’re nuts!”
The esport fanatic who comes and goes without a trace.
“Your skills are amazing. If it’s okay, will you join our club? We’ll definitely give you the best treatment.”
While speaking, Kenneth’s eyes were shining brightly as though he was looking forward to her joining the club.
All of a sudden, it struck Elspeth that not only did he look young, but his personality was also somewhat innocent.
Nevertheless, she shook her head and turned him down. “I’m sorry, but I don’t like this job, and I’m doing it just for fun.”
Taken aback, Kenneth didn’t think that a person who could beat him so easily was not fully invested in gaming.
“We have a competition with another team in a couple of days. May I invite you to participate with us?”
After careful consideration, she turned him down again. “I’m sorry, but I really don’t want to compete.”
Out of the blue, she kind of regretted battling him because she felt that he was stuck on her, and she couldn’t get rid of him.
“But…” Charisma wasn’t his forte, and he was so anxious that he almost burst into tears.
Meanwhile, Elspeth was struck by guilt when she saw that he desperately wanted to invite her but was at a loss for words and almost drove himself to tears instead.
He’s my cousin, after all. I should just say yes, she decided. But he doesn’t seem so bright.
“Okay, I’ll go with you.”
Excitement washed over Kenneth’s face instantly. “That’s great! I’ll come home to pick you up when the time comes,” he said. Then, he checked the time on his phone before adding in a rush, “I can’t stay for chit-chat because I have something else to do today. I gotta get back and train the new batch of kids that just arrived.”
After saying that, he left without turning back. While he came without warning and left without a trace, the only thing that remained the same was the stunned look on Frank’s face.
Although Kenneth never said a word to him the whole time, he still found it ridiculous.
“Elspeth, do you know when the last time my brother returned home was?”
Tilting her head, she asked curiously, “When was it?”
“A year ago, during Christmas,” he answered, thinking this situation was unbelievable. “He’s now coming home because of you. If Grandpa finds out about this, he’ll place you on a pedestal, for sure.”
The edges of Elspeth’s lips twitched. “You can’t be serious.”
“It’s true. For the past few years, my brother only comes home once a year during Christmas and always only for a short time. Who would have thought he’ll break this rule because of you?”
All that didn’t bother Elspeth, who only cared about the team competition that would take place a few days later. I better train all the new characters, lest I make a fool of myself during the competition.
After that, she chatted a little more with Frank before leaving the hospital.
The last time, she had planned to ask for the herb from Michael to treat Frank, but after they ended things on a bad note, she decided she didn’t want to look for him again.
The only way to find the herb now is from the black market, she thought, frowning.
Just when she was at the door, ready to go to the market personally, she caught sight of Callum’s car parked at the side of the road. He was watching her with his deep-set eyes, which were filled with tenderness.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’m here because I miss you,” he said, smiling.
“How did you find the perfect timing and even wait for me at the door?”
There was no way Elspeth would believe his saying, and she stared at him intently after climbing into the car as though trying to bore holes through him.
“Okay, I have a slight cold. So, I came here for some medicine.”
His honest answer made her frown. “Why didn’t you tell me about it?”
Callum was honest, and his tone was even a little aggrieved. “That’s because you’re taking care of someone else. How can I bring myself to trouble you?”
In other words, he was jealous, and Elspeth couldn’t stop herself from pinching his cheeks at his little jealous complaint. “Alright, don’t overthink the situation. He’s my cousin. Don’t be jealous of my brother. Why are you acting like a child, Callum Winthrop?”
What made an emotionless president of a company into a whiny and clingy guy who’s seeking attention?
“Yes, I’m jealous. How are you going to pacify me?”
Subconsciously, he licked his lips and gazed at her. His enchanting eyes coupled with his seductive gesture were very tempting, and her heart skipped a beat.
“What do you mean?”
Seeing the dazed look on her face, he chuckled and pulled her into his arms, whispering into her ear, “Kiss me.”
His hot breath traveled down her ear, turning her face bright pink, and she shook her head gently. Looking into his eyes, she was at a loss for words all of a sudden.
“Kiss me, okay?” he repeated seductively.
Tightening her jaw, she raised her head and pecked his cheek, and this immature gesture from her was especially alluring.
He pulled her closer and was about to kiss her when someone knocked on the window, startling Elspeth so much that she jumped away, but her face remained flushed for a long while.
Lowering the window, Callum glared at the security officer with daggers in his eyes for foiling his plans.
Initially, the officer wanted to warn them that their car wasn’t allowed to be parked there, but when he saw the daggers in Callum’s eyes, he gulped instead.
“Well, no parking here…”
Elspeth gave him a nod, her eyes looking apologetic. “I’m sorry. We’ll move right away.”
Then, Callum looked away and stepped on the gas pedal.
Twirling her head, she saw his solemn face and giggled.
“What are you laughing at?”
“Your face… Fu-ha-ha! No wonder he was stunned and confused. He must have felt that he spoiled the moment for us!”
Through the rearview mirror, he saw a bright lipstick stain on his cheek, and it was very eye-catching.
“The moment, eh? Do you want to continue, then?”
Just a second ago, Elspeth was still laughing, but she immediately stopped and stared at him in dumbstruck silence, like a sheep that was about to be slaughtered.
“Alright, I won’t mess with you anymore. Where do you want to go? Are you going home?”
She shook her head. “No, I want to go to the black market.”
Will he lecture me about this? she wondered, and sure enough, his eyes gleamed sternly.
“Why are you going to the black market?”
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