Chapter 51
Celestine watched quietly as his hand intertwined with Joanna’s.
Her mind drifted back to the early days after she’d given birth to their twins, when she was recovering at a postpartum care center. A well–dressed woman had shown up one afternoon, breezing in without so much as a contract or receipt, claiming the suite Celestine was staying in was actually hers–reserved in advance. It was the dead of winter, December’s bitter chill pressing through every crack. Celestine held her newborns close as the staff, quick to take the stranger’s word, escorted her out of the room. The woman, relishing her power, blocked Celestine in the corridor, refusing to let her leave.
Celestine waited five hours for Chester to show up. When he finally arrived, he barely spared a glance at their babies. “Don’t make trouble,” he warned her, cool and detached. Then, without another word, he took her away, moving her to a more upscale care center.
Back then, Celestine had thought Chester was simply aloof, someone who disliked getting caught up in drama. It wasn’t until Joanna appeared that Celestine realized just how badly she’d misjudged everything.
As these memories ran through her mind, Celestine felt as if a heavy, waterlogged blanket had settled over her chest, making it hard to breathe.
No matter how successful this restaurant owner was, she doubted he’d risk crossing the Fordham family for her sake. She didn’t dare hope.
With Chester stepping in, everyone else in the room looked even more determined to get what they wanted.
“Well, isn’t that just my luck,” Quentin scoffed, waving a hand dismissively, a cold smile on his lips. “If there’s one thing I’m never short on, it’s enemies. Irwin, show
them out.”
Like shadows materializing from the walls, a dozen burly security guards appeared, catching everyone off guard.
Chester’s eyes flashed dangerously as he lowered his voice in warning. “I suggest you think twice before making an enemy of the Fordham family.”
Quentin rolled his eyes, unfazed. “Hurry up, didn’t you hear me the first time? And when you toss them out, make sure you don’t rough up those two pretty fools–leave them in one piece so they can still eat.”
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Chapter 61
Chester’s fist clenched at his side as he shot Quentin a long, hard look.
“We’re leaving!” he snapped.
Zeke, grumbling under his breath, refused to budge–and ended up being. unceremoniously tossed out by ten security guards. Apart from that time he’d drunkenly passed out naked in the middle of nowhere, he’d never been this humiliated in his life.
The two “pretty fools” watched the whole scene play out like something out of a wild novel, and their pent–up frustrations seemed to melt away on the spot.
Celestine could hardly believe it; the whole thing felt surreal.
After dispatching the self–important guests, Quentin gave the two women a sidelong glance. “We’ll be out of here soon,” he muttered.
Crystal Lennox grabbed Celestine’s arm, itching to make a quick escape. The thought of being thrown out was more than she could stomach.
Quentin called lazily after them, “What’s the rush? At least have something to eat before you go.”
They faltered mid–step.
Five minutes later, they found themselves seated in a VIP private dining room, the decor so lavish that even the vases probably cost six figures. From every angle, the room offered stunning views of the restaurant.
Twenty–some chef’s specialties followed, each dish more exquisite than the last–and none of them on the regular day’s menu. The women feasted with their eyes and their stomachs.
The final dish was brought out by Quentin himself. Watching the two women dig in, he couldn’t help but feel a wave of satisfaction.
“Take your time. If you can’t finish, I’ll make an exception and let you take some home.”
Celeştine nearly choked in surprise. She stared at Quentin, bewildered.
This was strange. Wasn’t the head chef supposed to be notorious for his bad temper? Why was he suddenly so…nice?
But Quentin didn’t linger to chat. After setting down the last plate, he promptly strode out.
He made his way to a small, private room tucked away in a corner, barely able to
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contain his curiosity. “Vernon, spill it! Which one of those women is my cousin’s mystery girl?”
Vernon kept a cool face. “Why don’t you guess?”
Quentin sucked in a breath. “You little-!”
“Oh, I just remembered, the boss needs a file delivered. Gotta run, Young Master Yates.” Vernon practically sprinted out the door.
Quentin was left standing there, speechless.
That kid’s ability to bluff was getting better by the day.
But if he remembered right, the one who cried at the drop of a hat was married. Given her lovesick puppy routine, it didn’t seem likely she’d be getting a divorce anytime soon. And his cousin–even after thirty years single–surely wasn’t about to break all the rules of propriety for her.
Could it be…that formidable, high–powered woman by her side?
Quentin felt like he’d stumbled onto a scandalous secret. But the more he thought about it, the less he could picture the notoriously stoic Gideon falling for someone
like that.
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