After her parents passed away, except for the brief period living with Uncle Murdock, she spent nearly all her days in the old manor with her grandfather.
He was the only one in this world who loved her selflessly, without expecting anything in return.
Her usual joys were painting and occasionally craving pastries from Southern Cross Patisserie.
But with age came the need to watch his sugar intake, so sweets were strictly limited.
Only when Celestine visited would she bring him a box from Southern Cross
Patisserie.
But she had to get there early–the patisserie only made a limited batch each day, and if you arrived late, you’d find the shelves empty.
That morning, Celestine left at dawn. By the time she arrived, only a few pastries were left.
Without hesitation, she said, “I’ll take everything that’s left, please.”
As the staff began packing up her order, a dismayed female voice rang out behind
her.
“What? They’re all gone? Not even one left? I took the earliest flight home for this–don’t tell me you’re lying!” The woman sounded on the verge of disbelief. “Let me just peek into the kitchen–just a look, I promise! If there really aren’t any left, I’ll go! Please, I’ve flown thousands of miles, I just wanted to taste the honey cakes!”
Her voice trembled, and she sounded as if she might burst into tears.
Celestine glanced over, curiosity piqued.
Blocking the doorway was a tall, slender woman in the newest SiLl runway dress–a pale blue number that looked straight off the cover of a fashion magazine.
Her dark hair was swept into a perfect bun, and she wore oversized sunglasses. Celestine couldn’t see her face, but the sharp line of her jaw suggested striking beauty.
She looked moments away from crying.
The staff member seemed equally distressed. “I’m so sorry, ma’am, but we really
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are sold out for the day. And I’m not allowed to let anyone else into the kitchen.
Celestine paused, remembering she’d just claimed the last of the pastries–and that two of them were honey cakes.
She leaned in to whisper a few words to the staff member packing her order.
A moment later, she left, carrying her gift box of pastries.
As she passed the distraught woman, Celestine caught a flash of green behind those dark sunglasses–a glint in her eye, perhaps.
Summer Dulles watched enviously as the elegant woman walked out, her box stamped with Southern Cross Patisserie’s signature logo.
So thin–and she could eat all that by herself?
It wouldn’t hurt to share, would it?
As if the universe had heard her silent plea, Summer let out a dramatic sigh.
She was about to leave when the same staff member who’d refused to let her into
the kitchen called out.
“Miss, the lady before you just returned the honey cakes she bought–there are three left. Would you like them?”
Summer’s eyes lit up. She whipped off her sunglasses and declared, “Absolutely! I’ll take them all!”
“Of course.”
Honey cakes in hand, Summer found herself thinking about the striking woman who’d given up her pastries for a stranger.
Well played, lady. You definitely have my attention now.
Celestine never imagined that three small pastries would turn her into someone’s guardian angel.
By the time she arrived at the manor, two unfamiliar cars were already parked in the courtyard.
She frowned, recognizing one as Uncle Murdock’s.
The moment she stepped inside, the cheerful chatter in the living room vanished.
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Chapter 131
Uncle Murdock and his family sat on the sofa, expressions stiffening as she
entered.
His wife Edna, who had married into the family later, stood up with a hostess’s practiced smile.
“Celly, you’re back! You must be exhausted from the drive. Come, sit down.”
“Exhausted? Hardly,” Jade muttered, flipping through TV channels with the remote. “She splits her time between ‘design‘ and chasing after men–if she’s tired, it’s her own fault.”
“Jade, mind your manners,” Edna chided her daughter, not too harshly.
Uncle Murdock let out a disgruntled huff. “Don’t blame Jade for telling the truth. Celly, you ought to behave like a married woman. You’ve got two young kids at home, but you’re always off doing God knows what–and now this design nonsense! What will the Fordhams think? What will people say about our Selwyn family? Your sister isn’t even married yet–don’t you feel the least bit of shame?”
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