ring the name Lady Lotusâ, Balfour looked taken aback, then sighed lightly. âWell, then what? Did you see the painting?â
or shook her head. Nope! Theo bought it ahead of time, and he deliberately kept it from me Balfour raised an eyebrow. So, what youâre saying is?â
Elinor cut straight to the chase 7 want you to help me buy that painting from Theo. No matter the cost, I will pay!â
Balfour squinted in thought. âMoney isnât the problem. Getting that painting from Theo is the problem Plus, he bought it knowing you would want it, so he wonât let it go easily.
Ellinor arched an eyebrow. âSo, what youâre saying is you canât do it?â
Balfour gently patted Ellinorâs head. âItâs tricky, but if you want it, Iâll do my best. It might take some time though. Can you wait?â
Ellinor nodded. âI have no problem with waiting, as long as I can get Lady Lotusâs self-portrait.â
Balfour looked at Ellinor tenderly. âYou want to see what our mother looked like that badly?â
Ellinor looked up at him. âDonât you?*
Balfour sighed. â1 do. But sheâs gone now; itâs enough to remember her. Clinging too tightly can be exhausting, Ellinor. I hope you can let go of the past.â
Ellinor brushed off Balfourâs hand from her head. âI canât let go! Even if the whole world betrays my mother, I wonât! You can forget about the pain she went through, but I canât!â
Understanding and sympathizing with Ellinorâs fixation, Balfour pulled his hand back and stood up.
âAlright, letâs not talk about the sad stuff. Itâs late; Iâll show you to your room. You might need some time to get used to being back. If you have any problems, just call me. It will get better.â
Ellinor got up and followed him silently.
As Balfour opened the door, he saw Byran stand by the door.
After seeing his expression, Balfour frowned. âWhen did you get back? Why are you just standing by the door?â
Byran snapped back to reality, glanced at his brother and then Ellinor, and blurted out in surprise. âBro!
So Ellinor isâ¦â
âShut up!â Balfour interrupted him loudly.
He knew Ellinor didnât want people to know her identity, but he never expected this brat to overhear it.
He had just managed to persuade Ellinor to stay, and now he was worried that this might make her change her mind.
Byran, though interrupted, didnât plan on just dropping it. He didnât dare speak to his brother anymore but stared at Ellinor in surprise. âNo wonder I had this weird feeling about you! So, youâre Pearl Howard, my half-sister, the one my brother has been searching many years for.â
Ellinor frowned, feeling a bit baffled by the situation.
Balfour pulled Byran aside, not letting him blabber more. He then turned to the maid. âTake her to her room for now and get her toiletries and bedding ready.â
The maids bowed. âYes, sir! Ms. Mendoza, please follow us.â