Chapter 557
Chapter 557
Chapter 557 Arthur’s Soliloquy
My name was Arthur, and I was the third son of the Winthrop Family. I had always lived in my brother
Callum's shadow ever since I was a child. I remembered from a long time ago that Callum was always
able to get high grades without seeming to make any effort. However, no matter how hard I tried, I
could not catch up to him. So, our parents, Theodore and Margot, were biased toward him. Sometimes
I would envy why he could get such high grades until I saw him burning the midnight oil, and then I
began to hate him again. He was so good at pretending. I never understood his efforts; I just felt that he
was a hypocritical person.
My father had trained him to become the future heir of Winthrop Group ever since he was a child, and
Edmund could assist him as the vice president. The rest of us were not even allowed to join the
company. When I was a child, I also told my father that I wanted to join the company, even if it was just
to help Callum. However, I was ruthlessly rejected by my father. He said that my interest was not really
in business and that I should forget about this idea and do what I really wanted to do, but ever since I
was little, I had always wanted to join Winthrop Group. How could my interest not be in business? I
knew it was just an excuse to push me away. In fact, he never had my best interests in his heart.
Later on, Callum inherited the company as expected. Edmund became the vice president and Blake
entered the entertainment industry. As for Max, he pursued further studies and could continue his
racing hobby too. While everyone else had the freedom to pursue their preferred paths in life, I found
myself studying medicine despite never having had a passion for it. Luckily, I had a natural talent for it
and managed to learn a great deal in just a few years. I eventually returned to Damoria and opened a
hospital.
Theodore also strongly supported me, but I knew he was just guilty for the choice he made back then.
He felt guilty that he didn't let me do what I liked and forced me to study medicine. I would never
believe him.
Later on, I met a girl named Emma Walker. She had a gentle demeanor and the unmistakable air of a
wealthy upbringing, and I felt a strange sense of familiarity around her. As we spoke, I realized that she
was the same girl who had stood up for me when I was being bullied as a chubby kid. I could never
forget the cold look on her face as she drove away my tormentors and spoke wise words to me. To me,
she was like an angel. However, my heart sank when I discovered that the girl whom I had secretly
liked for so many years fell for Callum without any exception.
Callum, Callum... Everyone loved Callum. But I was not willing to give up. She was the girl I had been
enamored with for so many years, so how could she have been swept away by Callum? It seemed that
Callum had also become aware of my feelings for her. Despite his usual nonchalant demeanor toward
things like dating and romance, he decided to pursue her. I couldn't help but wonder if he was doing it
intentionally to spite me. My animosity toward him intensified as a result.
Later, Emma went abroad and broke up with Callum, and I naively thought that I still had a chance with
her. Unfortunately, she never noticed me. Then, the Winthrop Family took in a girl from the countryside,
and I initially thought she was a country bumpkin, but she turned out to be so beautiful. She had a
personality that didn't fit the mold of someone from the countryside; she had a depth to her that even
surpassed Emma's. She had an air of mystery about her, and there were multiple facets to her identity.
Elspeth's unexpected arrival threw a wrench in many of Callum's plans, and I began to see her as
someone I could potentially use to my advantage.
With a calculated plan in mind, I approached Elspeth and confessed my feelings for her, hoping to
persuade her to join forces with me. I even offered to share some of my wealth with her if she agreed.
However, to my surprise, she showed no interest in the money and ended up choosing Callum. Their
alliance posed a major obstacle for me, and I found myself constantly running into roadblocks and
making mistakes. It wasn't until later that I discovered a secret that shattered my world: the girl I had
been pursuing all along was a fraud.
The true identity of the girl who had once seemed like an angel was actually someone I despised and
even wanted to harm. When I learned this truth, I was initially filled with panic and it took me a long
time to regain my composure. Eventually, I came to terms with the reality of the situation. However, my
thoughts soon became erratic and uncontrollable. I found myself inexplicably drawn to her as if I had
been in love with her all along. I began to do strange things for her, including having the desire to
kidnap her and keep her to myself. Her every smile and expression were too beautiful, and I couldn't
bear the thought of her smiling at other men.
Utilizing my medical expertise, I devised a plan to lure her away from Callum and take her abroad. To
my surprise, she took the bait and we embarked on a journey that would become the most beautiful
days of my life. We lived as an ordinary couple, and I would cook for her and bring her small gifts each
day when I returned home. She obediently remained by my side throughout our time together. One
breezy evening, as we sat in the garden talking, I could sense a look of appreciation in her eyes. This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.
Perhaps, in her eyes, I wasn't such a bad person after all. I thought that this idyllic time would last
forever, but it was cut short by her mother's interference.
Her mother disappeared overnight, and Elspeth abruptly cut off all ties with me with a terrible
expression on her face. I finally realized that everything we shared was nothing but a fleeting illusion.
The dream was over, and she was gone. During that time, my mood plummeted and I felt myself losing
touch with reality. I returned back to the country and became obsessed with competing with her, hoping
that it would make her notice me again. But deep down, I knew that my behavior was pathological and
that it would only repulse her.
Knowing that I would never truly have Elspeth, I thought that even a moment of her attention was
worthwhile. I became even more determined to remove Callum from the equation so that I could be
with her single-mindedly. Taking over Winthrop Group became my ultimate goal, but my impatience and
underestimation of Callum's ruthlessness ultimately led to my demise.
Watching the girl that I had loved for a decade flee from me and throw herself into Callum's arms was a
painful experience. However, I also felt a sense of relief knowing that she would be loved. I had finally
come to terms with the reality of the situation. As long as Elspeth was happy, regardless of who she
was with, I would be content. Unfortunately, I came to this realization too late and would never have the
chance to see her live happily with someone else.
Nonetheless, even at the end of my life, I still hoped that she would remember me.
Elspeth, I never intended to hurt you, and I hope that you won't hate me.