Chapter 443: Chapter 443

If Lady Lotus was her mother, then were she and Balfour related?

That arrogant and sarcastic man, Balfour, might be her half brother?

“Ellinor” Bartlett ordered a new set of utensils from the waiter, waving them in front of the dazed Ellinor Ellinor snapped back to reality; her eyebrows knitted together and she had a serious look in her eyes as she stared at him. “Bartlett, are you sure about what you just said?

“Absolutely! Ellinor, don’t you remember? I told you before that I met Lady Lotus when I was a kid.

She was an old friend of my parents. Those three paintings of Lady Lotus in my gallery were gifts from her to my parents years ago.”

Ellinor felt a wave of mixed emotions.

If her mother was also Balfour’s mom, then she was tangled up with the Howard family!

Were the persecutions her mother suffered back then connected to the Howard family?

Watching Ellinor’s reactions, Bartlett mused, “Ellinor, can I ask why you’re so keen on finding Lady Lotus?”

Ellinor didn’t respond. The news she just learned shocked her, and she was a bit confused. She didn’t want to reveal her background just yet.

After waiting for a bit with no response, Bartlett politely said, “It’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it.

But can I ask you another question?”

Ellinor, her appetite gone due to her emotional turmoil, took another sip of her mango juice. “Mm, go ahead.”

“Now, can I pursue you?” Bartlett asked, looking at her intently.

Ellinor froze, then gave a dry laugh. “Mr. Rex, you trekked all the way from Greenhaven to the Hiland City gallery just to ask me that?”

Bartlett’s expression became a bit more serious. “Ellinor, let’s be serious here. It’s not just a fling. I want to genuinely pursue you.”

“Oh, there’s a difference?”

“Definitely. A fling is just for fun, but pursuit is about wanting a future together.”

Ellinor found it amusing. Once, a man had said the same to her, wanting a serious relationship. And the result?

It was nothing more than a man’s hunting instinct and desire to conquer women.

Seeing her lack of reaction, Bartlett continued. “Once, you were Theo’s wife in name, and Theo was a friend of mine. It’s not right to covet a friend’s wife, so I couldn’t harbor feelings for you beyond friendship.

Now, we’re both single. Why can’t I express my feelings for you?”

“I’m sorry, I have to decline.”

“Why?”

“I’m busy right now; I don’t have time for a relationship! Mr. Rex, if you’re filled with love and want to do good deeds, go find someone else! You’re quite handsome, and I’m sure there are many who like you.

You won’t lack for female attention.”

Bartlett raised an eyebrow, “But what if I’m only interested in you?”

Ellinor was about to retort, but Bartlett cleverly interrupted her.

“Ellinor, I know what you want to say, don’t be so quick to reject me, okay? You don’t have time for a relationship now, but you might in the future. I’m patient, I can wait here for you. When you’re ready for a relationship, come to me first. Does that sound good?”

Ellinor frowned in confusion. “Bartlett, what exactly do you like about me?”

Bartlett laughed. His laugh was charming like a handsome man who knew his charm and was deliberately showing it off. “I can’t really explain it, all I know is I really like you!”