Hiding Behind Her Superficiality

Chapter 473

Chapter 473 Love Is Blind

“Don’t move. Just let me hug you a little longer.” Gilbert rested his face on Elspeth’s neck as if he was a kid.

Meanwhile, Elspeth quickly realized the inappropriateness of the man’s reaction and responded with an unfathomable expression on her face. “Stop it, Gilbert,” she said with a soft yet commanding voice. Upon hearing the lady’s rejection, Gilbert reluctantly let go of the lady and sulked in disappointment. Fortunately for him, the dim lighting in the bar due to the night made it hard for Elspeth to see the expression on his face.

“You’re drunk. Go get some water to sober up.” She gazed at his eyes which were filled with burning desires, feeling somewhat uncomfortable with what he just did earlier.

“I’m not drunk. I’m good.” He looked like he wanted to explain more, but she quickly cut him short. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“No, you’re indeed drunk.”

It then dawned on Gilbert that Elspeth was just looking for an excuse to avoid his advances to woo her. “Yeah, yeah. I’m a little tipsy, indeed. I can’t believe I just hugged the wrong person.”

When Elspeth heard Gilbert’s reply, she couldn’t help but feel puzzled about what he meant. The next second, the man walked past her and approached an innocent-looking girl standing not far away from her. As soon as the girl Gilbert hugged turned around, Elspeth was stunned the moment their eyes met. Isn’t that Isabel? What’s she doing in a place like this? Wait a second. I entrusted Gilbert with her myself, didn’t I?

“Hey, Elsie. You’re here.” Isabel’s heart skipped a beat in response to Gilbert’s unexpected hug. When her eyes met Elspeth’s gaze, she seemed as if she didn’t know what to say.

“What are you doing here?” Elspeth’s tone implied that she was worried and annoyed to see Isabel in a bar.

“Well, Gil said he got a little tipsy and called for me to take him home.” Isabel awkwardly smiled.

Then, Elspeth cast an ambiguous look upon Gilbert and spoke in a cold tone. “Did you just say Gilbert needed you to take him home?” She couldn’t believe someone like Gilbert would succumb to alcohol and need someone to take him home, although he was quite a good drinker himself.

On the other hand, Isabel appeared to be confused. “It’s not like what you think, Elsie. Gil called me…” Is Elsie mad at me or Gil? But why does she care since she already has Mr. Winthrop? Isabel had no idea why Elspeth would bother knowing more about Gilbert and her, but despite her confusion, she decided to clarify her relationship with him. “There is nothing out of the ordinary between us.”

“Why are you explaining to her? It’s none of her business anyway.” Gilbert smiled and caressed Isabel’s hair, comforting her.

As the atmosphere was filled with sinister vibes the next few moments, Elspeth was the first to break the silence and announced, “You’ll stay with me from tomorrow on.”

“Wait, what?” Isabel was stunned before she could make sense of what was going on.

“I said you should stay with me. After all, Gilbert is a man, and I don’t think he can take good care of you, so I think you’re better off with me than him.”

Nevertheless, Gilbert’s intense possessiveness suddenly prompted him to object. “Isabel has been staying with me for quite a while, and I know her lifestyle better than you do. For that, I think she is better off with me, so don’t worry about her. Furthermore, you want to stay with me as well, don’t you, Isabel?” Gilbert smiled at Isabel, his eyes filled with cheekiness. Just as he expected, Isabel succumbed to the man’s dominance and subconsciously nodded. “You see? She wants to be with me.”

Elspeth responded by knitting her eyebrows, finding it hard to believe how the situation turned out the way she didn’t expect. “Fine, take good care of her then.” She then sighed and added, “Please come with me, Isabel. I’d like to have a word with you.”

Nonetheless, Isabel couldn’t free herself at all due to Gilbert’s tightly wrapped arms around her. At the same time, she gazed at Elspeth with a confused look and said, “Elsie, I—”

“Relax, Gilbert. I just want to have a word with her in private.” Elspeth then seized Isabel’s hand and took her to a corner. “Do you know why I want you to stay with me, Isabel?”

Isabel nodded before shaking her head hesitantly. “You should know what Gilbert is up to, right?”

Elspeth’s words instantly made Isabel’s face blush.

“Don’t get your hopes up too high. I doubt what I’m referring to is the same as what you’re thinking.” She gazed at Isabel, scratching her head while trying to make the young maiden understand her complicated issue. “Your mother entrusted me with you, so of course, I’m not going to stand by and watch a man take advantage of you even though Gilbert is my best friend. Listen to me, okay? He is not a good guy, and you definitely deserve better.” Elspeth furrowed her eyebrows, wondering if her explanation was comprehensive enough for Isabel due to her inexperience and young age.

“I-I know. I know Gil is in love with you…” Isabel stuttered, her eyes filled with disappointment.

“Well, you’re aware of that, so that’s all the more reason for you to stop him from using you.” Elspeth patted Isabel’s cheek and added, “I promise I’ll find an outstanding and successful man for you. Just don’t settle down with some Tom, Dick, and Harry.”

“I know you’re doing this for my own good, Elsie.” But love is blind, and I can’t help it. Isabel lost control of herself at the mere thought of the mint fragrance that was wafting toward her earlier.

“But you can’t help it because you’re in love with him, right?” Elspeth could tell what Isabel was thinking with just a look into her eyes. While Isabel kept her head down in silence, Elspeth questioned and challenged her. “Is this how you’re trying to piss me off? By letting him use you? Seriously, are you happy about all this?” Elspeth tried to talk some sense into Isabel’s head by putting her words more harshly.

“I don’t want to be used by him like that, of course. I’m not happy, but…” But… I’m actually happy, I guess. Deep down, Isabel was content enough to be the lady in Gilbert’s arms when he caressed her hair and hugged her tightly.

“But that doesn’t mean you should let the rush of excitement blind you.” Elspeth’s eyes were filled with mixed emotions. “Do you know what this will lead to in the end?”

“Yes, I do.” Isabel was aware of the consequences that might follow if she didn’t stop herself from falling for Gilbert deeper and deeper. In fact, she had already foreseen that outcome, but in spite of that, she still chose to stay by Gilbert’s side even if it would cost her dearly in the end.

“Fine, I guess I shouldn’t press on anymore since you have made up your mind. All I can do now is to do what’s best for you.”

“What do you mean?” Isabel was puzzled.

Elspeth sniggered and said, “I mean, I’m going to keep my distance from him, of course. As soon as I can make him forget about me, there will be an empty place in his heart for someone else to enter. By then, that’ll be your best chance to enter his world.” Elspeth’s words made Isabel feel a lump in her throat as the tears swam in her eyes.