Celestine Selwyn hurried forward and gently helped her grandfather back into his chair, the sharpness in her eyes giving way to a softer concern.
“Grandpa, how could I ever blame you? Just tell me honestly–was it Uncle Murdock who signed these papers behind your back?”
She’d glanced over the documents carefully, and several bore her grandfather’s personal seal. Dahlia might not have recognized it, but Celestine knew her grandfather would never have done something like this. The only one with both access and opportunity was Murdock Selwyn, who came and went as he pleased.
Luther Selwyn hunched over, shoulders trembling with shame. “That scoundrel Murdock! And to think I believed he could change. You lie with dogs, you get fleas–ever since he started running around with Edna Lane, his heart’s turned rotten. Listen, if the Fordhams try to force your hand, I swear on what’s left of my life, I’ll fix this mess for you, no matter what it takes.”
If Dahlia was able to present all these files today, it could only mean the Fordhams upstairs had already given their blessing. The moment the marriage between the two families ended, Celestine would be left holding the bill.
The thought made Luther want to grab his cane and give Murdock the beating he deserved.
Celestine gently rubbed her grandfather’s back, soothing him. “Don’t worry, Grandpa. Now that we know who’s behind this, we have a path forward. The divorce with Chester Fordham isn’t finalized yet, so I’ll need your help to smooth. things over.”
“Help? You and Grandpa are family–don’t even mention it!” Luther grumbled, but his tone was full of affection.
Celestine smiled and sat beside him, quietly explaining her plan.
That afternoon, Celestine asked Pete Selwyn to help arrange a temporary discharge from the hospital.
“Celly, your injuries aren’t healed yet. Why are you so anxious to leave? I can stay here and keep watch. If that old witch dares show her face again, I’ll make sure she regrets it!” Pete had come back late after picking up Celestine’s medication, and hearing about Dahlia’s earlier visit left him fuming. He’d wanted to confront her himself, but Celestine talked him down.
1/2
08:070
Chapter 301
He assumed Celestine was so fed up she couldn’t even bear to stay in her room, and that made him even angrier.
Celestine’s heart softened. “It’s not that. I’ll be back soon–I just need to stop by Fordham Enterprises for a bit.”
“I’m coming with you,” Pete said at once, not caring about the reason.
To him, the Fordhams had become monsters, and their headquarters was enemy
territory.
With Grandpa’s approval, Celestine reluctantly agreed to let Pete accompany her to Fordham Enterprises.
The last time she’d set foot here was to hand in her resignation.
As Celestine passed the front desk, the receptionist called out sharply, “Miss Selwyn, you’re no longer an employee. You can’t just come and go. Do you have an appointment?”
The young woman eyed Celestine’s arm in its cast. Last time she’d seen her, Celestine was all over the headlines–caught on camera outside Kismet Collective with Chester, their names being dragged through the mud online. The company had even issued a statement about her departure, warning staff to keep an eye out in case she came around looking for trouble.
Recently, there’d been rumors that Chester had remarried, and that the new woman supposedly looked a lot like Celestine. But Mrs. Fordham’s funeral had been held in Portside City, and there was no way anyone would connect the elegant but clearly battered woman before her with that story.
“I don’t have an appointment,” Celestine replied, having grown used to this sort of gatekeeping.
Even after years at Fordham Enterprises, nobody had known she was Mrs. Fordham. She didn’t blame them.
She took out her phone and dialed Chester’s assistant, Stein.
“If you don’t have an appointment, I’m afraid you’ll have to leave,” the receptionist repeated, voice firm.
