If she lost control now, she’d only be giving that witch exactly what she wanted.
After the awards ceremony ended, Mirabelle clung to Celestine backstage for a long time.
Celestine gently patted her back, comforting her in silence.
Only when the dampness on her shoulder finally faded did Mirabelle murmur, “We’re doomed, Celly. I’ll never be able to pay back this mountain of emotional debt between us.”
Celestine was startled.
Mirabelle snickered, amending, “I mean, favors owed.”
Things had been chaotic even before the gala tonight–a string of mishaps, just as she’d predicted.
But despite the drama, the outcome didn’t leave her heartbroken.
Instead, she’d met an intriguing girl.
Someone who, despite having no real stake in any of this, had chosen to stay and help.
In an industry obsessed with fame and fortune, where self–preservation was a reflex, kindness was a rare commodity.
And Celestine–she was Chester’s wife. No one would have blamed her for walking
away.
But that simple, genuine goodness… it was something Mirabelle hadn’t felt in a long
time.
“Thank you, Celly,” Mirabelle said, her voice warm and sincere.
Celestine couldn’t quite see her face, and assumed she was still upset about the awards. “If you shine, the world comes to you. If tonight was always meant to end this way, winning wouldn’t have mattered anyway.”
Mirabelle’s eyes softened with a fleeting smile. “I know.”
A knock sounded at the door.
The assistant peeked in nervously. “Mirabelle, Mr. Sterling would like to see you!”
With that, Zeke strode in, not bothering to wait for an invitation.
His eyes were clouded and stormy as he looked at the two women, still close together. “Mirabelle. We need to talk.”
Mirabelle glanced back at him, a flicker of sarcasm in her gaze. “Well, that was fast.”
She paused, then said quietly, “Celly, I’ll have Denton drive you home first. I need to talk to him for a minute.”
Zeke, feeling thoroughly sidelined, mulled over her words.
Celly?
Since when were those two on such familiar terms?
Celestine watched Mirabelle leave with a touch of worry.
The more time she spent near Mirabelle, the more she realized that Mirabelle’s feelings for Zeke weren’t quite what the rumors made them out to be.
Her phone buzzed, interrupting her thoughts.
She fumbled, accidentally hitting the answer button.
A deep, magnetic male voice came through the line: “Where are you? I’m heading to my grandfather’s place. Want to come?”
Celestine glanced at the caller ID in surprise.
Mr. Shield.
Right after the ceremony, he’d been whisked away by a group of crisp–suited men. She’d assumed he’d gone back to work.
Was he still here?
Considering he was married, Celestine felt it would be inappropriate, so she politely declined. “That’s all right, I’m with Mirabelle. Someone’s taking me home soon.” “Backstage, right? Got it,” Gideon replied, not waiting for an answer before hanging
ག ་ ་ ་ ་ ་ ་ ་ ་ ་ ་ ་ ་ ་ ་ ་ ་ ་ ་
Before Célestine could process what happened, she found herself ushered into his
oor
19.66
Chapter 117
Vernon was already gone.
Gideon drove himself. “It’s on my way. No reason to trouble anyone else.”
Celestine gripped her fingers tightly, forcing a weak smile.
He had a point. And she had no retort.
At a red light, the car rolled to a stop.
Gideon glanced over at her. “What’s wrong, Miss Selwyn? Not enjoying my driving, or is it me you object to?”
“Of course not, Mr. Prescott, you’re overthinking it.” Celestine fidgeted with her seatbelt, denying it flatly. “I just… don’t want to trouble you–I’m afraid your-”
She never finished the sentence–afraid your wife will misunderstand–because a harsh light suddenly flashed from the opposite lane.
A black van, out of control, barreled straight toward them.
Gideon’s hands spun the wheel in a split–second reaction, swerving the car away just in time to avoid a head–on collision.
The force threw Celestine sideways, tumbling her right into his arms.
The world spun; the screech of brakes tore through the night.
