Chester spoke with utter seriousness. “Joanna gets cold easily, especially at night–her hands were freezing. She forgot her gloves, so I was just helping her
out.”
Gideon let out a sharp, dismissive snort.
His slow, assessing gaze made Joanna’s scalp prickle with unease.
It was him! The man she’d seen at the hospital!
How could someone from the Prescott family possibly be Celestine’s secret lover?
Joanna forced herself to stay calm, her lips curving into a polite smile. “That’s right, Mr. Prescott, don’t get the wrong idea. Chester’s just looking out for me, it’s not what you’re thinking. We spotted Celly’s silhouette by the door and thought she might be in trouble, so we rushed over.”
She tugged on Chester’s arm as she spoke. “Isn’t that right, Chester?”
Chester only gave a nonchalant “Mm” in response.
Celestine could barely keep herself from rolling her eyes at their painfully awkward performance.
“By the way, Celly, the dress you designed for Mirabelle is absolutely gorgeous. I’m honestly a little jealous,” Joanna said, trying to sound admiring, though her voice grew smaller with each word.
The envy in her eyes faded into a look of quiet dejection.
Chester noticed her shift in mood and sneered. “You’re really jealous of that tacky design? If Lance can’t help you, I could always find you someone better.”
Joanna shook her head, her sweet, syrupy voice taking on a playful whine. “No, I really do love Celly’s style. I want her to be my exclusive designer.”
“Would you, Celly?” she asked, her big doe eyes full of eager anticipation.
Anyone not paying close attention might have thought she truly admired Celestine’s work.
But every word was laced with poison and calculation.
Celestine’s smile was cool and unbothered. “I’m not sure I’m worthy of that honor.”
Chester was about to commend her humility when Celestine continued, “I’m only
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trained in design, not anything else.”
The implication was clear: Joanna wasn’t acting like a decent person.
Joanna’s eyes immediately filled with tears.
“Celestine, Joanna is giving you an opportunity here! You should be grateful! Her reputation is something you’ll never reach in your entire life!” Chester’s eyes narrowed, his tone sharp and biting. “Don’t keep harping on old grudges. It’s getting
tiresome!”
“Is that so? I’m the one holding grudges?” Celestine’s smile was bright and mocking as she pointed at the spot where Chester and Joanna’s hands were linked. “I’m letting my own husband keep another woman’s hands warm, and you say I’m petty? Mr. Fordham, you seem to think a little too highly of yourself–and Miss Sinclair.”
At her words, Chester instantly dropped Joanna’s hand, his eyes darkening. “I already explained why I did it, but you’re still being unreasonable?”
Joanna watched, her heart burning with resentment as Chester let go of her hand.
When Gideon had mocked Chester earlier, Chester hadn’t let go even then.
But with just a few words from Celestine, he untangled himself immediately.
For the first time, Joanna felt a wave of panic.
She wouldn’t let this happen again.
Chester was hers.
Everything Celestine once had–she was determined to take.
Swallowing down her bitterness, Joanna stepped forward. “Celly, I really do want to work with you.”
“Sorry,” Celestine replied, her tone polite but final. “I really don’t.”
A dangerous glint flashed through Joanna’s eyes.
“What a pity,” she said softly.
She reached out, as if to touch Celestine’s arm. “We used to be so close. How did things end up like this?”
Celestine’s expression turned icy. “You know exactly why.”
They had known each other since middle school, and back then, their relationship
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Chapter 120
had been good.
But over the years, one thing after another had driven a wedge between them.
Her murky, tangled connection with Chester was only one piece of the mess.
And honestly, Celestine was sick to death of it all.
