Celestine gave a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Uncle Murdock, you seem so concerned about me now. Where was all this concern when Chester and Joanna were plastered all over the tabloids together?”
“And if you’re so worried about the Selwyn family’s reputation, why didn’t you hesitate when you pushed my father out of his own position?”
“And when you took the money my parents left me to fund your business
venture–one you ran into the ground and lost a fortune on–where was your worry then?”
Murdock’s face flushed a mottled purple as memories he’d rather forget came rushing back.
Edna clutched his arm, her voice trembling with feigned hurt. “Celly, how can you say such things? You’re breaking your Uncle Murdock’s heart. If it hadn’t been for him taking you in back then, you might have ended up just like your parents. We never asked for your gratitude, only that you wouldn’t harbor so much resentment.” As her words landed, Edna caught a flicker of pain on Celestine’s face, and she felt a vicious sense of satisfaction.
After all, back then they’d seized almost everything from Celestine’s family, and she hadn’t uttered a word of protest.
She might have a sharp tongue, but her heart was always soft.
All you had to do was play the family card, and she’d bow her head.
But when Celestine looked up again, she was smiling–a smile like the opening of a poisonous flower, beautiful and dangerous.
“Oh, is that so? I suppose I really should thank you, then,” she said, her tone almost sweet.
Years ago, she could have gone with her parents to Portside City for a major competition. But Uncle Murdock had wanted to clear the way for his precious daughter, Jade, and guilt–tripped Celestine into giving up her spot.
She’d been young and foolish, and couldn’t help but feel sorry for Uncle Murdock–a man willing to go to such lengths for a girl who wasn’t even his by blood.
Those kinds of competitions came around every year, so she’d let it go.
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Then, at the last minute, Jade came down with a sudden illness and couldn’t make the trip.
Celestine’s parents ended up going anyway, planning to take Jade along, but when she backed out, they turned around and headed home–only to be killed in a car accident on the way back.
For a long time, Celestine wondered if things would have been different if she hadn’t agreed to Uncle Murdock’s request.
Maybe her parents wouldn’t have taken that road. Maybe they’d still be alive.
She looked at the three people in front of her, fixing each of them with a cold, steady gaze.
“To the people who got my parents killed–thank you so much for your mercy, for not taking my life as well.”
Her words exploded in the room like a thunderclap.
Murdock shot to his feet, wild with anger. “What are you saying?!”
“Celly, don’t talk nonsense just to hurt us!”
“Celestine, you’ve had it too easy. Is that why you’ve forgotten where you come from?!”
Murdock and his family reacted like cats with their tails stepped on, each one jumping to their feet.
Celestine just smirked, clearly expecting this response.
“If my parents hadn’t been forced out of Willowbrook, they wouldn’t have died the way they did. Isn’t that right, Uncle Murdock?”
Murdock’s whole body shook. “What do you know? That car was a deathtrap! It would have happened no matter what! I ought to teach you a lesson for your own good, just like your parents would’ve wanted! Someone restrain her! I’ll show her what family discipline means!”
He pounded the coffee table, rattling the teacups.
Yet not a single servant moved.
Celestine had grown up in this house; the old man had always treated her like something precious, afraid she’d break if he looked at her wrong.
Who would dare lay a finger on her for real?
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A few of the more perceptive staff had already slipped away to alert the old master. Jade’s shrill voice pierced the chaos. “Unbelievable! All of you–useless traitors! We feed you, give you shelter, and you won’t even lift a finger for us!”
Two of the newer maids, pale and nervous, exchanged a glance, then hesitantly stepped forward to hold down Celestine.
Excitement flashed in Jade’s eyes as she lunged forward, seizing Celestine’s arm in a bruising grip, raising her hand to slap her.
“Bitch, you’re finished!”
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