Hiding Behind Her Superficiality

Chapter 278

Gilbert was almost six feet tall, and his muscles were well-defined. Paired with his dashing eyes, he was truly an attractive man, and he formed a stark contrast to the short men around him.

But now, more importantly, a group of people stood next to him, and they looked like they were looking for trouble.

Elspeth didn’t approach them. She stood at the back of the crowd, silently watching the drama unfold. She wanted to know how Gilbert would deal with those people.

“How many times did I f*cking tell you? Apologize! What are you, deaf?”

Gilbert glanced at him coldly. “How are you worthy of my apology?”

“Hah, am I not worthy? Don’t you know who I am? I’m the owner of this territory. Anyone who offends me will be punished, no exceptions!”

The man was wearing a large gold chain, and his clothes were luxurious and gaudy. He had a dark patch on the right side of his eye, tarnishing his already unremarkable face.

“Wow, that’s amazing.”

Gilbert flicked his wrist. “Come at me, then. Are you guys fighting solo, or is everyone going to attack at the same time?”

“Hmph! You’ll regret this!”

The man spat as he glared viciously at Gilbert. Then, he commanded the people around him in a harsh voice, “Get him! Beat this man to death, or else!”

Fearing the consequences, the lackeys rushed forward with their bare hands.

In just two seconds, Gilbert broke one of the men’s arms with great ease. When the other two heard the crisp cracking noise, they paused in their tracks.

Gilbert pulled out a tissue from his pocket and wiped his hands, then tossed the tissue in disgust onto the man, who now had a dislocated arm.

“Is that all?”

He was fast!

The people around them shared this exact sentiment.

They were watching the fight up front, so they could see better. The people behind them couldn’t even catch what was going on and only heard a wail that reached the skies.

“Who… Who exactly are you?”

The rich man at the front widened his eyes as he staggered backward in fear. Fortunately, the two lackeys behind him reached out and caught him in time.

“Who am I? That’s Mr. Payne for you.”

Elspeth couldn’t bear it any longer. Gilbert was successfully showing off, but she didn’t want him to keep messing around.

As such, she parted the crowd and stood in front of everyone.

This was Gilbert’s first time seeing Elspeth after his return. Seeing her exquisite features and collected aura, Gilbert frowned. The white dress was wasted on her.

Black dresses suited her better, for she was like Venus shining in the night.

Elspeth glanced at the group, then said calmly, “Luna Bar does not welcome troublemakers. Please leave immediately.”

The people looked at Gilbert, who was standing nearby in an upright posture. They grinned while saying mockingly, “You’re getting chased out too!”

Gilbert was unaffected. Instead, Elspeth glared at the person coldly and said, “He is my customer. You’re no match for him.”

To be honest, if Gilbert hadn’t insisted on feigning meekness, she would have exposed Gilbert’s identity right then and there so that everyone would know he was the big bad wolf!

But now, she could only maintain appearances for Gilbert.

“That’s enough, let’s not stoop to his level.”

Gilbert spoke calmly, then turned around and went up the steps to head inside.

The man behind them widened his eyes so much that his eyeballs might fall out at any second. What did he mean by that? Who is stooping to whose level now?!

The man was pissed, but this was Elspeth’s territory, and he knew how cruel Elspeth could be. He couldn’t do anything but run away with his men.

Damn it! I’ll make them pay for this!

Elspeth watched him leave, then held in a laugh as she followed Gilbert up the steps.

After pushing open the clear glass door, Gilbert was greeted with the brilliant sight of drinks, lights, and riches. Despite that, he frowned.

“This is so boring.”

“Sir, you have to remember that this is Chars. If you get too wild, you’ll be sent to jail.”

Elspeth chuckled, then skillfully ordered his favorite drink, Angel’s Kiss.

“I stopped drinking that forever ago. Give me some whiskey.”

Elspeth rolled her eyes. “Lame.”

The two took their drinks to a VIP seat. They had just taken their seats when Harper came over.

“Wow, you rushed here the day after your engagement banquet. Looks like Gilbert is still important to you, eh?”

As soon as he said that, Harper instantly realized he had said something wrong. He awkwardly picked up the drink on the table and downed it.

After he finished it, he met Elspeth’s calm gaze. “That was my drink.”

Pfft—

Harper almost spat the drink out.

“Anyway, I came back to settle some matters, so I probably won’t stay here for long.” Gilbert fiddled with the mechanical watch on his wrist, a dark look in his eyes. NôvelDrama.Org © content.

Elspeth was intrigued. “What is it? Tell me.”

“I’m investigating the cause of my parents’ death.”

His words instantly sparked a light in Elspeth’s eyes. “That’s great! I’m also investigating my mother’s whereabouts. Gilbert, why don’t you help me investigate as well?”

Gilbert made a gesture with his mouth, forcing Elspeth to shrink back.

He said, “In your dreams.”

“Come on, Elspeth, your mother’s matters aren’t urgent. At least the last incident proves that your mother is still alive and well, and she can still communicate with you. As for why she didn’t meet you in person, she must have had her reasons for doing so. I think you should be able to see that.”

Elspeth rubbed her fingers against the wine glass, then nodded.

It was true that she could understand the situation, and that was why she wasn’t rushing to dispatch everyone to look for her mother.

If the engagement gift was an opportunity, then she was waiting for the next one.

“Let’s deal with Gilbert’s matters first. By the way, Gilbert, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you. Are you actually from the regular Payne Family in Damoria or the Payne Family in Blaydal?”

If it were the former, then Gilbert probably didn’t have to come here in person.

Just as expected, Gilbert simply blinked as he replied, “The Payne Family of Blaydal.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Elspeth was fuming as she glared at him.

Gilbert thought that she was being unreasonable.

“You didn’t ask. Also, there was a period when I used to go to Blaydal every day. I thought you would’ve guessed that already.”

Elspeth was at a loss for words. Gilbert was probably right.

In the past, the Payne Family from Blaydal was one of the top three families along with the Joneson Family and the Carr Family.

The Payne Family dealt in military matters, whereas the Joneson Family focused on business and the Carr Family dabbled in politics.

If she remembered correctly, the Payne Family was destroyed ten years ago. The entire Payne Residence turned into ash overnight, and no survivors were left.

She heard that of all the Paynes, only the youngest son escaped the tragedy because he was studying overseas. Oddly enough, no one investigated this incident, and someone even suppressed it instead.

Thus, the fall of the Paynes was left unsolved.

Elspeth was especially careful when she mentioned this tragedy, for she feared that Gilbert might be saddened by it. She didn’t expect him to act like he wasn’t involved at all, for he was looking at Elspeth with a faint smile on his lips right now.