The Kiss that Sparked it All novel Chapter 1167

Ellinor stopped eating and held her face in her hands while looking at him. "You seem very optimistic and have a good personality."

Bartlett smiled faintly. "Am I optimistic? Life isn't easy as the heir of a family like this. A strict upbringing left me with hardly any childhood, and because everyone knows I'm an adopted son, they don't really respect me. It's hard for me to fit into their circle. When I first took over the company, the shareholders were very unhappy; they wanted to kick me out."

Ellinor nodded sympathetically. "I can imagine how tough it must have been for you back then. But you've overcome it, and now, who doesn't address you with respect as Mr. Rex?"

Bartlett chuckled bitterly. "Do you think they respect me behind my back? It's not just strangers, even Theo and the others are the same. They don't truly accept me. Your brother is the only person who doesn't hold back with me."

In Ellinor's view, Balfour was the most condescending person she had ever met.

Theo, Jonah, and Kemp had a closer bond, but they didn't look down on Bartlett.

Given the personalities of those three men, if they genuinely looked down on someone, they would never sit together.

"I don't think Theo is that kind of person. Don't overthink it." Ellinor said calmly.

Bartlett narrowed his eyes. "Are you still defending Theo?"

Ellinor spoke candidly. "I'm not defending him; I'm just stating facts. If he truly looked down on people, he wouldn't be spending time with someone like me."

Bartlett smiled and said, "But he doesn't treat you sincerely; otherwise, why are you leaving now?"

Ellinor fell silent.

That was the truth!