Chapter 179
Celestine’s brows knitted. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Oh? Celly, I always thought you had the best memory,” Joanna replied, a sly smile curling on her lips as if savoring some private joke. “Back then, you couldn’t wait to brag about that great part–time job you landed–teaching a bunch of kids to doodle every day and getting paid a thousand for it. I remember thinking, what’s so amazing about that? Even a single hour on set pays me more than you made in a
week.”
She leaned in, her tone tinged with mock sympathy. “But when I saw how much you cherished that job, I just couldn’t wait to see you lose it. And in the end, everything went just as I’d hoped.”
Celestine’s fists clenched, her teeth gritted. “So it was you!”
Back then, her grandfather had already covered her tuition and fees for the year–she was determined not to let him worry about her living expenses too.
She’d hit some rough patches, surviving on little more than bread and water for every meal.
She’d gone on interview after interview, only to be turned away each time because she hadn’t yet graduated.
Nothing had ever been as smooth as Joanna made it sound.
That job had been her lifeline, and she’d shared her excitement and gratitude with what she thought was her best friend at the time–Joanna.
So this was the truth.
It started far earlier than she’d ever realized.
Celestine cursed herself for her naivety, her face growing paler by the second.
Joanna’s mood only brightened as she watched Celestine’s expression darken. “Come on, Celly, it’s your fate to lose everything. As for Chester–well, he was just an accident, something I let slip away. I never thought you’d swoop in and pick up the pieces. But listen to me: whatever’s mine, if I say I don’t want it anymore, I’ll decide who gets it, do you understand?”
Celestine shot back, her voice dripping with sarcasm, “Oh? After six years, you want Chester back? Miss Sinclair, I didn’t know you were so undiscerning–or so unbothered by leftovers.”
1/2
14:17
Sep 177
Joanna’s face twisted in disgust. “Shut your mouth! Who do you think you are? Chester tosses you a scrap of pity and you should know to back off! Not cling to him like some mutt with a bone! Pathetic women like you–no one could ever truly love you! I’m warning you, do yourself a favor and divorce him before I really make. a move. Otherwise…”
She stepped closer, lowering her voice to a venomous whisper. “Otherwise, you’ll lose everything–including your life.”
Celestine’s eyes widened in panic. “But… Chester refuses to divorce me, you saw it yourself. He won’t let go, not even after he thought I’d cheated on him.”
Joanna sneered. “Are you showing off now? The only reason he’s holding on is because he’s already invested so much in you–ever heard of sunk cost? You’ve milked the Fordham family for all it’s worth. Give up custody of both kids, walk away without a penny, and I’ll handle the rest with Chester.”
Celestine eyed her warily. “You really have that much power?”
Joanna let out a cold laugh. “There’s so much you don’t know. I suggest you behave yourself. If you keep acting out in front of Chester, I won’t hesitate to show you just how cruel I can be.”
She watched Celestine’s growing unease with satisfaction.
Yes, that was how it should be.
Celestine had never deserved the title of Mrs. Fordham–she was nothing but a brazen thief, stealing what was rightfully hers.
Even if Celestine ended up divorced from Chester, Joanna would make sure she never had a moment’s peace.
Suddenly, the break room door swung open with a sharp click.
A man strode in, his presence icy and his voice even colder. “Joanna, is everything you just said true?”
2/2
