Bartlett leaned in with his handsome face, âHelp me shake off this blind date without offending her familyâ
Elinor frowned, not hiding the displeasure in her eyes. âIf you think sheâs not suitable, just tell her directly so nobodyâs wasting time! Why are you pretending to be all gentlemanly? Youâre bringing her to buy bags and making her think you like her too Bartlett shrugged 1 did tell her, but she insists that feelings can be developed over time. Weâve eaten and seen a movie, I really have no idea what else to do with her. I offered to take her home, but she refused, so here I am dragged along on her shopping spree. Ellinor, youâre always the smart one, can you help me out?
Elinor took a sip of her coffee, surveying Bartlett, who had a hint of worry in his eyes.
With Bartlettâs good looks and privileged background, it was hard for girts not to fall for him. If a girl set her sights on him, she was likely to hold on tight. in their social circles, the partners their families arranged for them were always well-matched. Whether things worked out or not was not just their business, but a matter between two families.
It was not easy to handle such situations If not handled well, it could lead to grudges, making it hard to explain to their families.
Ellinor responded lazily Til give it a shot!â
Bartlett beamed âThanks a lot?â
Bartlettâs blind date, probably not trusting her potential beau alone with another pretty girl, came back soon after.
The girl was carrying a new bag, with two shop assistants trailing behind her with smiles.
âBartlett, how do you think this bag looks on me?â
Bartlett looked up and nodded with his usual smile, âHmm, it looks pretty good.â
Though the girl received praise and affirmation, she could sense his indifference.
Her attention wasnât really on the bag. Her probing gaze landed on Ellinor, who was sipping coffee, âBartlett, what were you two talking about? Who is this lady? You didnât introduce her to me.â
By rights, Bartlett should have introduced them, but a formal introduction would make it seem like he took this blind date seriously.
At that moment, his first reaction was to fear that Ellinor would get the wrong idea, so he didnât introduce her Now that he thought about it, he was probably overthinking things.
As far as he was concerned, Ellinor wouldnât give it a second thought or care.
Mocking himself inwardly, Bartlett smiled politely and elegantly, âI forgot! Let me introduce you now.
This is my old friend, Ellinor Mendoza. Ellinor, this is the daughter of my fatherâs friend, Floy Lewis.â
The daughter of his fatherâs friend?
Floy was a bit upset to hear Bartlett introduce her this way. She couldnât tell if she was overthinking, but she felt like Bartlett was deliberately keeping a distance from her in front of Ms. Mendoza.
âMs. Mendoza, nice to meet you!â
Before understanding Ellinorâs background, Floy greeted her amicably.
Ellinor responded with a smile, âHmm, Ms. Lewis, nice to meet you.â
Floy sat on the armrest of the couch next to Bartlett, deliberately creating an intimate atmosphere to assert her position. She then asked curiously, âBartlett, when did you and Ms. Mendoza become friends? I pretty much know all the girls in the Greenhaven circle, how come Iâve never seen Ms.
Mendoza? Which family does she belong to?â
She was clearly probing, trying to see if Ellinorâs family had the qualifications to compete with her.