As soon as the two women left, the receptionist picked up the phone and dialed the company’s internal line.
“Let the boss know–the Kismet Collective reps are gone.”
Today was the day Zephyrus Atelier and The Slate Group were officially signing their contract.
Just in case, the receptionist had been instructed to give the same answer to anyone who came asking: the boss was out of town, attending a ribbon–cutting ceremony in Portside City.
Especially if anyone from Kismet Collective showed up, she was supposed to stall, find a way to get them to leave.
After making her report, the receptionist watched the pair’s retreating figures and shook her head to herself.
Getting on Joanna’s bad side–a woman with connections all over the fashion world–was career suicide in this industry.
Out in the parking lot, Crystal Lennox and Celestine didn’t drive off right away.
“That’s Mr. Slate’s BMW up ahead. If he really wasn’t in the office, his car would be parked at home or at the airport,” Crystal explained, glancing at Celestine’s puzzled face.
“Looks like we picked the wrong day to show up. I’d bet today’s the day they’re signing with Zephyrus Atelier.”
Crystal had been in the business long enough to know how these things worked, and it didn’t take much to figure out what was really going on.
Seeing Celestine’s crestfallen expression, she offered some reassurance. “Don’t worry. There are always more problems than solutions in this world, but finding a few investors isn’t a big deal. We’ll manage.”
Celestine had just gotten back–no need to crush her confidence so soon.
“Crystal,” Celestine said, tugging her sleeve, “there might still be a chance. I went to Seabay yesterday, and their manager told me that headquarters is planning to invest in a fashion project next quarter. They’ll be looking for partners. Maybe we could take a shot at it?”
She hadn’t had a chance to mention it before The Slate Group’s setback, but maybe
fate was just playing its hand.
Crystal’s eyes lit up. “Let’s go for it!”
They didn’t linger outside The Slate Group’s deserted entrance.
“No one in their right mind would hang around this godforsaken place,” Crystal muttered as she reversed the car.
Celestine stifled a laugh.
On the drive back, they chatted idly. Crystal mentioned there was a well–known chapel up in the hills nearby.
That made Celestine think of Gideon–the man who always seemed to take the
brunt of her bad luck.
“Hey, do you mind dropping me off at the chapel? There’s something I’d like to pray for,” Celestine asked.
Crystal glanced at her. “Is it for those two kids?”
Celestine shook her head. “No. When I was in the hospital, there was a man who took a knife for me. I want to pray for his safety.”
Crystal’s eyes widened. “Who? What happened?”
Celestine gave her a brief rundown of the story.
“That scumbag Chester–one of these days, karma’s coming for him,” Crystal snapped, unable to hold back her anger.
Celestine loosened her seatbelt, finally able to talk about it without pain. She even secretly wished those two would just stay together, so she could get her divorce and be done with all this mess.
Crystal dropped her off at the chapel, knowing Celestine had other family matters to deal with later, and told her not to wait. Celestine went inside alone and lit a candle, then picked up a small charm for safety.
It was a little blue triangle of fine linen, tied with twine, its delicate scent of incense lingering in the air.
Nicer than she’d expected. She hoped Mr. Shield would accept it.
When she left the chapel’s little shrine, the west exit was just outside. Few people took this path down the hill, and Celestine preferred the quiet.
She’d barely reached the bottom of the last flight of steps when she nearly ran into
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Chapter 92
three people coming up.
They spotted her before she could react and stopped in their tracks.
Chester and Joanna stood on either side, each holding Celia’s hand.
All three wore white, looking for all the world like a perfect family.
Celestine quickly averted her eyes, pretending she didn’t recognize them.
“Mom, can you please stop secretly following us?” Celia cried, clinging to Joanna and shooting.Celestine a glare full of hostility.
