Hiding Behind Her Superficiality by Kyla Olson

Chapter 41 Rope Them In
Callum didn’t bother answering Elspeth’s question as he took out his laptop with his unhurt hand and started working.
She shrugged indifferently at his non-response. Then, she, too, took out the laptop she carried with her from her bag and wanted
to uncover the mastermind behind the ambush. She found out about the men’s criminal organization based on their facial
features as well as their recent call records and monetary transactions. All the clues led her to Alphascape Group.
“Callum, do you know who the mastermind behind this attack is?” Elspeth asked tentatively.
“Alphascape,” he answered curtly while typing on the keyboard swiftly.
She gasped in surprise. “How did you know?”
He replied in a mellow and calm voice, “Recently, our shares have risen sharply, and our venture in the jewelry industry is
booming. We have almost monopolized the low-end jewelry market and are climbing closer to high-end products. Who do you
think is the most worried party now?”
“Alphascape was upset because of the failure of the cooperation last time, and they didn’t get a share of the pie. So now, they
are jealous of our results. This is why you think they have the motive, right?”
“You’re very smart.” Callum smiled, which was a rare occasion.
Elspeth was surprised at his quick thinking. But then, she thought of something else and asked another question, “What are you
going to do now?”
She had always been a vengeful person. She would not touch those who left her to her own devices, but if she were attacked,
she would ensure that her attackers got a taste of their own medicine. Alphascape Group ambushed them, so she would not let
them off the hook!
A piercing gleam flashed across his eyes. “I won’t spare them, of course.”
When she learned that he would make a move, she was relieved.
Margot called when Callum stayed in the hospital for two days. So, Elspeth improvised as she claimed that they couldn’t return
home because they were working overtime in the office. Fortunately, Edmund was on a business trip in the past few days, so no
one exposed their lie.

Only when Callum’s hand almost recovered did he officially return to work. Both Callum and Elspeth did not come to the office
these days. When they returned this time, she realized that there were some unfamiliar faces in the company.
As soon as he returned to work, Callum held a senior management meeting to discuss the cooperation plan for the next phase.
“At this phase, I will stabilize the low-end jewelry market and invest a lot of money to develop high-end jewelry...”
When he proposed his idea, her eyes lit up after hearing his proposal, and she recognized what he was planning.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea.” A doubtful remark suddenly echoed across the quiet conference room. Callum raised his eyes and
looked at the man not far away, his gaze turning cold.
“What do you have in mind?”
Elspeth shifted her gaze over. The person who raised his doubt was Houston Bishop, the head of the company’s HR department.
He was always on his high horse, to begin with. Today, he was even more arrogant and rude than usual.
“Mr. Winthrop, have you forgotten how to make a proposal just because you skipped work for a few days? Our low-end market is
not stable yet, and the products are selling like hotcakes. If we rashly introduce high-end products, the development may not be
as expected, and we will lose a lot of money. Who will be responsible for such a possibility?!” Houston rebuked aggressively.
“No, we won’t,” Callum continued. “The continuous development of low-end products will only lose the consumers’ interests, not
to mention that we will be limited to this market and miss the best chance to venture into the high-end market.”
Houston retorted sternly as if he hadn’t listened to a word, “I disagree. Why don’t you ask them? See what they have to say.”
Callum swept his gaze over and inquired, “Does anyone else have questions?”
One of the department heads said meekly, “Mr. Winthrop, I think Mr. Bishop is right. What if we really make a loss? Anything can
happen...”
The rest of the people began to whisper to each other about this.
Elspeth rose to her feet and donned a bright smile. “Allow me to elaborate on Mr. Winthrop’s views to you.”
Houston sneered scornfully, “Miss Lynwood, I know you’re taking Mr. Winthrop’s side, but you’re putting us in a difficult position if
you help him unwisely.”

She ignored his claims and spoke in a gentle yet intimidating tone, “I believe you have heard of my mentor, who is an
internationally recognized jewelry designer, right?”
Elspeth’s mentor was the world-renowned jewelry designer Joanna. Her product could fetch hundreds of millions of dollars at
times.
Everyone was too stunned for words as they quietly listened to her.
“She once told me that she started from the most basic market, but if she only produced low-end products, she would never be
able to bring her designs to the next level, even if a lot of money is to be made by selling low-end products. So, we need a
qualitative change and want to expose our products to as many people as possible. Jewelry itself is an extravagant item. Its
consumers consist not only of ordinary people but also of the rich and powerful who can bring greater revenue to the company.
These people won’t bat an eye at low-end products. So, we need to develop high-end products in order to attract this group of
consumers and increase their purchasing power.”
After she finished her speech, everyone remained silent as they pondered over her words seriously. Nevertheless, Houston’s
laughter pierced the air. “Sure. That makes sense, but I’m not convinced. Who knows if you’re only saying this off the top of your
head?”
Elspeth stared at him with a burning gaze. “I studied marketing abroad, and I ranked first in my major. Do you need me to say the
rest?”
Her remarks rendered him speechless, and his face turned nasty as he couldn’t find a chance to add his two cents.
“Does anyone have any more questions?”
She swept her glance at everyone in the conference room, but they bowed their heads in shame. Finally, she set her eyes on
Callum and winked at him mischievously. She felt a burst of joy when she spotted a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
Finally, he said, “That’s it, then.”
The meeting was adjourned, and everyone dispersed. Houston paced slowly to Elspeth and muttered, “Miss Lynwood, I want to
talk to you.”
“Sure.” She smiled politely. “What do you want to talk about?”

“What is your relationship with Mr. Winthrop?”
“He’s my boss, and I’m his employee. What exactly do you want to say?”
Her calm and refined smile confused Houston, but he remembered his purpose clearly. He hurriedly donned a flattering smile
and admitted, “I have to be honest. Mr. Winthrop is rather harsh and strict. You must have suffered a lot since you work directly
under him.”
“Oh?” She raised an eyebrow. “It sounds like you have a hidden agenda.”
“You’re very smart, Miss Lynwood. I think you should know what I mean. I hope you can consider it well and give me a
satisfactory answer.”