Today, Celestine wore a long, buttery yellow dress, her face touched with delicate, understated makeup.
She was a sight to behold.
Swinging her purse by her side, Celestine offered Chester a half–hearted smile. “Unless it’s about the divorce, I’m not interested.”
Chester forced himself to remain calm. “I know you’re still upset about last night. I want to apologize. I’m sorry, Celly. I shouldn’t have misunderstood you and Mr. Prescott. That was my mistake.”
A chill ran down Celestine’s spine.
The way he called her “Celly” made her skin crawl.
She couldn’t believe Chester would humble himself like this, apologizing to a wife he’d never truly respected–unless the Fordham family was in trouble.
Maybe they’d gone bankrupt?
She let out a low, mocking laugh. “Mr. Fordham, there’s no audience here. You don’t have to put on a show.”
Chester’s eyes darkened, but he didn’t react. “You have every right to be angry. I was
an ass.”
“Oh, really? Mr. Fordham, don’t tell me you actually need something from me? I’m just the soon–to–be ex–wife with nothing to my name–hardly someone you’d want help from.” She raised her eyebrows, feigning innocence.
She didn’t expect it to hit a nerve.
“No. You’re wrong,” Chester insisted. “Celly, you know Mr. Prescott, don’t you? I can tell you’re friends. Could you talk to him for me? Tell him I acted out of love, that I said things I didn’t mean. Maybe he’ll reconsider his decision about the Fordham family if he hears it from you.”
Celestine felt her heart sink, inch by inch.
She’d known he was shameless, but not like this. So the apology was just a prelude to asking her for a favor.
Out of love for her? The very idea made her want to laugh.
He could go to hell for all she cared, and take his lies with him.
1/3
14:59
Chapter
“If you’re so ashamed, why don’t you talk to him yourself? What’s stopping you?”
“He refuses to see me.
“Oh, so when you can’t disgust him, you come to disgust me instead. Chester, you really are revolting.” Celestine pinched her nose as if warding off a bad smell. “Honestly, keep your distance. If I throw up on your suit, I won’t be paying for dry cleaning.”
Chester’s face turned an ugly mix of purple and red at her sarcasm, but with the Prescott family’s business on the line, he held his temper.
He gave her one last, hard look before turning to leave.
As soon as he was gone, Celestine felt the air around her grow lighter, as if she could finally breathe again.
Waiting by the entrance for her ride, she spotted a flower vendor on the corner. On a whim, she bought a bouquet, feeling her mood lift as she cradled the fresh
blooms.
Back at the office, as she set the flowers on her desk, a long–unseen figure appeared in the doorway.
“Well, Miss Selwyn, you seem to be in high spirits. You’ve even got time to play at flower arranging,” Carmen sneered, eyeing the baby’s breath Celestine had just placed.
As if something so cheap was worthy of display.
Celestine spritzed the flowers with water, not bothering to look up. “That’s right. Not all of us are tangled up in lawsuits, too busy to enjoy the little things.”
She didn’t spare Carmen a single glance.
After Carmen’s last scandal–spreading rumors about her on Instagram–she’d taken an extended leave. Celestine figured she’d never come back, but here she
was.
Carmen stormed off in a huff.
Every one of those lawsuits was thanks to Celestine, and all the brands involved
had come after her!
Flossie peered over, eyes wide with gossip. “Celly, rumor has it Carmen’s only here to clear out her desk.”
That explained it.
2/3
15:00
Chapter 123
Celestine shifted the baby’s breath so the sunlight caught the tiny white blossoms.
After the morning meeting, Crystal Lennox made it official: Carmen would be handing off her work and leaving the company.
Her replacement had already started the handover.
Carmen wasted no time packing up her things. As she passed Celestine’s desk, a small mirror fell at Celestine’s feet.
Celestine bent to pick it up, only to meet Carmen’s bitter, venomous gaze.
“Don’t get too comfortable, Celestine,” Carmen hissed.
15:00 0
