Filed to story: Love’s Perfect Match Novel Read Online (Elspeth & Callum)
Before they could see the visitors, they heard Max’s voice booming from the foyer, “What happened to Mom?”
Edmund’s frosty voice followed, “Has anyone called the ambulance?”
Arthur, who was a doctor by profession, squatted down to check Margot’s heartbeat and breathing. He hesitated for a moment. “Hmm, it looks like… she is out of danger.”
Elspeth watched as the crowd flocked to the bedroom, and she stood up to announce, “Mrs. Winthrop has stopped her medicine for a while now. It’s likely what caused her cardiac syncope due to her congenital heart disease. But I performed some first aid on her, and she is fine now.”
Arthur’s eagle eyes spotted the needles that were scattered across the floor, and he asked, “What are those?”
She gathered the needles and stuck them back into the storage bag. She whispered, “These are silver needles for acupuncture.”
There was a hint of judgment in his eyes. “You know how to perform acupuncture?”
She scoffed. “That’s right.”
Knowing that it was Elspeth who saved Margot, Max held more respect for her. Curious, his eyes widened. “Miss Elspeth! That’s so cool! Where did you learn your wonderful acupuncture skills?”
She was slightly embarrassed by his compliments. “I learned it from an old doctor when I was abroad.”
Callum’s sharp instinct told him that the old doctor must be an exceptional figure. “What’s his name?”
“Sonny Schwartz,” Elspeth replied.
Those who were not involved in medicine did not react upon hearing Sonny’s name. Arthur, who was usually calm and composed, had a rare outpour of emotions when he heard the name. “Sonny Schwartz? Do you mean the Sonny Schwartz who is known as the greatest doctor of the 21st century?”
She frowned, trying to recall. “I think so.”
“Elspeth, do you know how great a man your mentor is?”
Arthur had to admit that he was jealous of the fact that Elspeth received guidance from a legendary figure, whom he never had the chance to meet.
She nodded. “I guess.”
Greatest doctor? Pfft. He’s just an old man who loves tea drinking and chess playing with me—and is a sore loser in chess games.
Max’s eyes were shining with admiration for her. “I knew it! Miss Elspeth is something else!”
She silently cringed at Max’s sudden change in attitude.
Thankfully, the ambulance’s siren shifted everyone’s attention away from her. At the hospital, the family settled Margot’s admission, where they filled in the paperwork and had Callum stay back to take care of their mother. Then, the rest of the family went back to work.
Without surprise, Ophelia stayed back to accompany Callum, but she appeared low-spirited.
She had thought that Elspeth would bite off more than she could chew by administering bogus treatments, but to her dismay, Elspeth proved her expertise in the field of medicine and was revealed to be the protégé of a famous doctor.
The more she thought about it, the more envious she felt. She asked, “Elspeth, how did you get to know that mentor of yours?”
However, her question was met with silence from Elspeth, who did not want to give her attention.
“Elspeth…” Seeing that, Ophelia called out again.
“Through a chess game.”
A chess game… Ophelia mulled over it gleefully since she was good at chess. “Can you introduce me to your mentor? My grandma has had asthma for a long time, and I would like him to treat her.”
Elspeth merely smirked at Ophelia’s anticipation, knowing that she had an ulterior motive. “He’s very busy and does not have time to make patient visits.”
Ophelia gritted her teeth. “I will pay him handsomely!”
“Doesn’t make any difference,” Elspeth replied coldly.
“Elspeth, are you overthinking it? I only want your famous mentor to treat my grandma. I’m not going to snatch him from you,” Ophelia muttered and lowered her head, looking pitiful.
“Miss Fleming, it’s not that I want to stop you from meeting him. He shows up and disappears unexpectedly all the time. Trust me, he does not have the time for your grandma.” Then, Elspeth dialed a number to prove her point. “Hello.”
“El! Have you finally thought of your mentor? You girl! You know what? I went to a chess game yesterday and lost big time! I check that guy’s Facebook, and guess what? He’s a national chess player! What a young and successful man…”
Elspeth could not endure the blabbering and called a stop to it. She explained, “I did not call you to chit-chat. Someone would like you to treat their grandma. Are you taking this case?”
Sonny sounded confused. “I have taught you everything. You could totally treat that patient without me, or just tell her that you’re there on my behalf.”
She looked at Ophelia and chuckled. “But the granddaughter wants your help specifically. What can I do about it?”
He was momentarily taken aback and asked cautiously, “What’s her relationship to you? Is she a friend or a relative?”
Elspeth shot a look at a nervous Ophelia and replied coolly, “I don’t know her well. We’re just acquaintances.”
Learning that, Sonny instantly went through an attitude shift. “Gosh, don’t bother me then. I’m super busy and have no time for patient visits. Tell her to get someone else.” Then, he suddenly exclaimed, “El! That guy invited me to another game! I need to deal with this. Got to go now!”
Elspeth was speechless at his spontaneity.
Ophelia had never dreamed that Ophelia would humiliate her in such an embarrassing way. While secretly cursing Sonny, she put on a pitiful look. “Elspeth, you didn’t tell him that we’re acquaintances because you didn’t want him to help me, did you?”
Elspeth shrugged. “You and I are not even acquaintances—just strangers.”
Suddenly, she was reminded that she had some moving out to do, which had been interrupted by Margot’s hospitalization. She excused herself, “By the way, I need to pack my luggage. Take good care of Mrs. Winthrop.”
Callum instantly objected, “You can’t.”
She spun around and glared at him. “What? Do I need your permission to leave the Winthrop Residence?”
He did not react to her anger. “You have something to do with my mom’s condition. If something happens to her later, I need to hold you accountable.”
“Are you questioning my skills?” Elspeth’s voice went up an octave, but Callum merely gave her a dismissive glance without replying.
“Fine, I won’t leave. I will wait until she recovers.”
A faint smile appeared on Callum’s lips when he heard her promise.
At noon, Margot finally regained consciousness. When her eyes fluttered open, Ophelia quickly went up to her. “Mrs. Winthrop, are you okay?”
“Cough… I need water…”
Ophelia immediately handed her a glass of water.