With that, he turned and strode out, entourage in tow.
He was no longer the green, isolated young heir of the Fordham family’s second branch from six years ago–no longer the boy who had to swallow humiliation without connections or support.
It had only taken him three years to acquire the largest privately owned company in Portside City.
He had leverage now. There was no way the old man would trade the Fordham family’s entire future–and his own grandson–for a vague debt of gratitude owed to someone whose name he could barely recall.
“Achoo-!”
Celestine let out a violent sneeze.
Was someone thinking about her?
Crystal Lennox burst through the hospital room door like a whirlwind.”
“Celly!”
She stopped short at the sight of Celestine, bandaged and battered. Crystal wanted to hug her, but the sight of her injured hand and bruised eye made her hesitate. For a designer, wounds like these were nothing short of catastrophic.
“Don’t worry, Crystal. I’m really okay,” Celestine tried to wave off her concern, forcing a reassuring smile.
But glancing down at herself, she realized she hardly looked convincing.
Of course, Crystal took it as Celestine putting on a brave face.
She ushered Pete out of the room, and the two women spoke in private for a while.
When the conversation turned to Celestine’s latest design submission, Crystal’s expression finally brightened. “The client absolutely loved your work! As soon as you’re discharged, they want to meet with you in person to talk about the project.”
Even after six years away from the drawing board, Celestine was still the most talented designer Crystal had ever known.
Celestine smiled. “That’s great. I’ll be happy to walk them through it myself.”
Just then, the door to the VIP suite opened and a nurse’s voice called, “Miss Selwyn,
1/3
14:28
time to change your dressing”
As the door swung open, Celestine caught a fleeting glimpse of a shadow outside. She rubbed her eyes, but when she looked again, the hallway was empty.
She must have imagined it.
In the hospital’s administrative office, Gideon sat in silence, reviewing Celestine’s
medical file.
“Mr. Prescott, as you instructed, we’ve covered up the fact that Miss Selwyn’s memory loss isn’t genuine. The Fordham family seems to be investigating whether she truly remembers anything from before the accident,” the doctor reported, handing over a detailed health assessment.
“If she wants to play games, let them play along,” Gideon replied, absently tracing the scar in his palm, his light eyes unreadable.
He’d only been gone for a few days to take care of some family business, and when he returned, Celestine was lying in a hospital bed, unconscious.
He honestly had no idea what she hoped to gain from this marriage.
“Mr. Fordham, we’ve confirmed it–your wife did sustain a head injury, and the resulting amnesia is not fabricated.” The secretary handed over Celestine’s medical report, which had been double–checked by the Fordham Group’s long–standing private physician. Everything was in order.
Chester’s response was cool and distant: “Alright.”
Had he really misjudged her?
Celestine had forgotten everything. But perhaps that wasn’t such a bad thing. He and Celestine shouldn’t have to shoulder all the blame for what happened to the
children.
Because of it, Alistair had taken Raymond with him–stripping them of custody, insisting on raising the boy himself.
A month later, Celestine had nearly recovered. She was going stir–crazy, cooped up for so long.
Even so, Pete insisted she stay until she was fully healed.
8:010
14:28
Chapter 41
Crystal Lennox visited often, eager for Celestine to return to the company once she was well enough.
Celestine could hardly wait.
During her stay, members of the Fordham family had come by a few times, even offering her the deed to a Sunderidge villa, transferred to her name as compensation.
She was more than satisfied with that arrangement.
She’d heard through the grapevine that Raymond had gone with Alistair. With any luck, he wouldn’t end up as cold and calculating as his father.
Celestine gave a soft, dismissive snort. Once she was cleared for discharge, she wasted no time getting dressed.
Pete was away on a business trip, so she didn’t bother calling him to pick her up.
She had more important things to do–namely, meeting with the sportswear brand’s executives for the dinner that had been postponed a month ago.
Crystal had mentioned the meeting to her two days prior.
As soon as she’d finished her paperwork, Celestine headed straight to The Vantage
Club.
The elevator was out of service, so not wanting to be late, she hurried up the side
stairwell.
Just as she rounded the corner on the third floor, she overheard two men laughing
crudely.
“Just slip this into her drink. I guarantee she’ll be all over yoù in no time!”
3/3
