“You’re lying! You wicked old witch, you’re trying to trick me!” Celia protested, her voice sharp with disbelief.
No sooner had she finished, she whipped out her phone, ready to call Chester for help.
But before she could even dial, Ms. Brown plucked the phone from her grasp as if it weighed nothing.
“You haven’t finished reciting your poetry for today. There’s no time for phones,” Ms. Brown said, her expression stony, her tone icy cold. “Insulting your teacher earns you another punishment.”
Feeling utterly helpless, Celia’s sobs grew louder and more desperate.
In her desperation to escape Ms. Brown’s strict supervision, she even went so far as to refuse her meals, staging a dramatic hunger strike.
The standoff raged for three days until, finally, Chester returned home. Celia wasted no time, launching into a tearful tirade about her grievances.
Chester, already exhausted from issues with the shipping line, found his daughter’s complaints trivial and could only sigh.
“Celia, your teacher only wants what’s best for you. Learning proper manners will do you no harm.”
“Dad, you’re taking that old witch’s side too? Why does no one love me anymore? You don’t love me either!” Celia wailed, her tears streaming down her cheeks one after another.
Chester’s head throbbed from the noise.
Back when Celestine was here, Celia hardly ever cried. But now, it seemed like anything could set her off. What had gotten into her?
How had Celestine managed to raise her so differently?
For a fleeting moment, Chester found himself missing those peaceful days when Celestine was still around, when their home felt harmonious and whole.
Now, his son was off in another city, his wife was never home, and the only child left by his side spent her days in tears and tantrums.
Chester pressed his fingers to his temples, his tone growing frosty. “Celia, that’s
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Chapter 04
enough. Stop it right now.”
But Celia only screamed louder, her cries echoing through the house.
Left with no choice, Chester called Celestine.
The cheerful ringtone played from start to finish, but no one picked up. His frustration mounted.
What on earth was she so busy with that she couldn’t answer a single call?
Turning away, he spoke in low tones with Ms. Brown, asking her to try a gentler approach with Celia.
Ms. Brown shook her head. “It’s a father’s duty to raise his child. Celia is the way she is because of you. I’m here on Alistair’s orders. I only answer to him.”
Chester fell silent.
So all of this was his fault as a father? Wasn’t any of it her mother’s responsibility?
He couldn’t help but recall Celestine’s vibrant, stubborn face. Annoyance clouded his features.
He needed to bring Celestine home. This woman had become more and more out of control.
Chester instructed his assistant to find out where Celestine was these days.
Soon, he learned she was working at Kismet Collective.
Crystal Lennox’s design studio? So she was back to fooling around with fabrics and sewing again.
A deep frown creased Chester’s brow.
What a pointless hobby–such a waste of time. She’d be better off focusing on being Mrs. Fordham.
Before the workday ended, Chester drove his Rolls–Royce right up to the entrance Kismet Collective, making no effort to hide his arrival.
of
The luxury car instantly drew stares and a flurry of whispers.
“Oh my god, is that a Rolls? I could work my whole life and never afford one!”
“Whose boyfriend is that? That car is insane! Is he here to pick someone up?” “He’s getting out! Wow, he’s even better looking than the car!”
Chapter U4
The buzz grew louder as he stepped out; heads turned, eyes followed, and excitement rippled through the crowd.
Just then, Celestine stepped out of the elevator and, from a distance, spotted a familiar, unwelcome figure.
Was she seeing things? That was definitely Chester’s car out front.
She ducked her head, trying to slip past the growing crowd unnoticed. “Celestine.” His cool, unmistakable voice cut through the noise behind her.
For a moment, the entire lobby seemed to fall silent.
