He nearly landed himself in the hospital from the rage.
In the end, that family heirloom–the jade pendant–was swept under the rug.
Who could’ve guessed that now, one piece of it had ended up in Dahlia’s hands?
He didn’t need to ask to know exactly which worthless son was behind this mess.
“Well, well, looks like this belongs to your precious Selwyn family now, doesn’t it?” Dahlia gloated as she pocketed the pendant. “Let me give you a warning: don’t get too cocky! Every little favor you’ve wrung out of us all these years–we’ve kept record of every single one. And don’t think that just because you and Chester are getting divorced, we’ll just let you off easy. Even if you do split, the Fordham family isn’t about to let you walk away without consequences!”
Dahlia’s tone was sharp, her hostility aimed squarely at Celestine.
Luther’s voice shook with fury. “I’ll tell you this–I may be old, but I’d rather pour my last strength into painting a few more canvases than live under the Fordham family’s thumb for the rest of my life!”
Dahlia put her hands on her hips and snapped, “Oh, you think I won’t call the cops and have this whole clan of leeches locked up? You’ve been bleeding us dry for years, and now you dare act self–righteous!”
Luther had always lived with dignity.
He’d never been humiliated like this in his entire life.
“Unbelievable! Just outrageous!”
Celestine rushed to steady her grandfather, guiding him to sit by the bed and pressing the call button for the doctor.
Dahlia jumped back in alarm.
Judging by the old man’s appearance, was he about to keel over right here and pin his death on her?
Celestine glanced back, her eyes glinting coldly enough to send a shiver down Dahlia’s spine.
“You little brat! What are you looking at? Either pay up, or come home with me, now! And don’t think I’m scared of your grandfather’s threats–I’m not intimidated
by an old man on his last legs!” Dahlia spat, her words vicious and cruel,
Celestine clenched her fists, forcing herself to stay calm.
She took a deep breath, pushing down the urge to snap back.
It was only when Dahlia began to tap her foot in impatience that Celestine finally spoke, her voice steady: “Fine. Go ahead. Call the police.”
Dahlia stared at her, stunned. “What did you just say?!”
“Call the police. Have me arrested. Go ahead and slap me with a debt evasion charge. That way, your grandkids will never be able to pass a background check for a government job, and they’ll have a mother with a criminal record. Imagine what people would say.” Celestine’s tone was calm, almost gentle.
Dahlia glared at her as if she were crazy. “What are you talking about?! Are you trying to threaten me?!”
Celestine’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Not at all. I’m just offering you a solution. All those IOUS signed with my grandfather’s name? There’s no legitimate record of the money being spent, and no matching bank transactions. As for that so–called evidence you’re holding, you could buy two of those online for ten bucks, delivered to your door. So what proof do you actually have? That your story is true? That any of this is real?”
The barrage of logic left Dahlia momentarily speechless.
After a tense silence, she jabbed a finger at Celestine, her face twisted with anger. “You little brat! You’re making this all up! How dare you disrespect your elders! What is this–are you trying to deny everything now? If you push me, I swear, your whole family will be behind bars by tomorrow! And if it comes to it, I’ll ship Celia and Raymond overseas and act like you never existed!”
All of this was Sanderson’s fault, that old fool!
He’d claimed this scheme would tie Celestine to Chester forever, but now he was missing, and the inheritance was up in the air.
They needed Celestine’s marriage to Chester locked down, no matter what–even if they had to drag her back to the hospital by force!
And now, just because she’d dug up some ancient, half–forgotten debts, this ungrateful girl dared to talk back like this?
Unbelievable!
Celestine calmly grabbed a couple of tissues and handed them to Dahlia. “You
might want these. You’re getting all worked up over nothing.”
