Chapter 150
“No! Please, Mr. Prescott, there’s no need!” Joanna cried out, her voice edged with panic.
Chester couldn’t ignore the fleeting glances Gideon kept sneaking at Celestine. It made his skin crawl–like something precious of his was being eyed by someone else.
Suddenly, Joanna latched onto Chester’s hand, her grip tight with desperation. Only then did he snap back to the moment, noticing how anxious she’d become. He recalled what the housekeeper had said earlier; his gaze darkened.
“That won’t be necessary, but thank you for your concern, Mr. Prescott,” Chester said stiffly. “The Fordham family can sort out its own affairs.”
“Mr. Prescott,” Celestine spoke up, her voice calm. “May I see what was recorded?”
Gideon paid Chester no mind, smiling as he handed her the small camcorder. “Of course. Do you know how to use it?”
Celestine nodded. She’d noticed him by the pool as soon as she’d arrived, assuming he was just relaxing, so she hadn’t bothered him. She hadn’t realized he was recording the whole time.
Well, that certainly made things easier.
Chester’s expression turned stormy. “Celestine, what’s the point? Everything’s out in the open now. Are you really going to torture yourself by watching it back?”
Dahlia spat the words, her poise forgotten. “Let her watch, Chester! We’ll hand all this evidence to the police soon enough.”
Joanna’s heart hammered against her ribs. Damn it! How could he have caught that
on tape? She drew a deep breath, her eyes hardening with a flash of resolve–but when she looked up, her face was all sugary sweetness again.
“Celly, I’m sure there’s been some misunderstanding,” she cooed, inching closer. “Let’s check the footage together. I want you to be cleared of any suspicion.”
As Joanna sidled up to Célestine, she caught a sudden shift in Celestine’s expression. Seizing the moment, Joanna quickened her pace, coming up beside
her.
“Ah!” Joanna gave a yelp as her foot slipped. She grabbed at Celestine’s sleeve for balance, and the two of them toppled backward–straight into the pool.
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“Careful!” someone shouted.
It all happened so fast.
Joanna’s lips curled in a triumphant smirk just before she hit the water. Go on, drown, you wretch! Let’s see you produce any evidence when that camcorder’s at the bottom of the pool!
But in the split second before she went under, Celestine flung the device onto the pool deck, right into Gideon’s waiting hands. Joanna’s triumph vanished, replaced by panic.
Both women plunged beneath the surface, swallowed by a burst of water.
Joanna flailed wildly, fighting her way toward the edge–but Celestine was a far stronger swimmer. She seized Joanna by the collar, holding her under, and slapped her hard across the face three times, each blow sending up a spray of water.
Joanna, you owe mè. And I intend to collect–with interest.
These three slaps–consider them just the down payment.
Next time you see me, you’d better keep your head down and stay out of my way.
Celestine finally let her up, dragging her toward the surface just as Joanna was on the verge of passing out.
Celestine’s voice was low, but every word was edged with warning.
Joanna’s heart seized. This bitch–how dare she threaten her? How could she?
But Joanna was in no shape to fight back. Out of the corner of her eye, she thought she saw the police arriving. No–this couldn’t be happening!
Celestine swam to the edge alone, pulling herself out of the pool and glancing back at Joanna, who was now putting on a show of fainting.
Miss Sinclair, always the consummate actress.
Chester barked at her, cold and furious. “Celestine, how could you be so selfish and
cruel?”
“If no one goes in after her, she’ll be waterlogged by the time the police get here,” Celestine replied, wringing out her drenched clothes.
A clean towel appeared in front of her, proffered by a large, dexterous hand.
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Celestine looked up at Gideon, accepted it, and offered a quick, quiet thank you.
“No need to thank me,” Gideon said, glancing at the men diving in to rescue Joanna. “Honestly, I was afraid if I went in to save you, I’d only get in your way.”
Celestine paused mid–motion, towel halfway to her hair. Was he…explaining himself to her? The idea was almost laughable.
She quickly dismissed the thought. Besides, when she’d checked the camcorder, there hadn’t been anything on it at all…
