Celestine accepted Lance’s friend request.
The moment she did, he sent her a transfer for $9,999.90.
Lance: Sorry, my card has a limit. I’m sending you part of the money for dinner first. Celestine arched an eyebrow.
Clever, aren’t we?
Such a conspicuous amount–no matter if he accuses her of something later or tries to take it back, this would be ironclad legal evidence.
Celestine: Mr. Blake, you were badly hurt because you saved me. Cooking for you is the least I can do–I won’t accept your money.
There was a pause before he responded.
So she deliberately listed out the three entrées and soup she’d just ordered from the delivery app, reciting each dish for him.
A second later, Lance wired her fifty thousand dollars.
Lance: Sorry, I just linked a different card. Miss Selwyn, I insist you take it. Otherwise, eating this meal will weigh on my conscience. I told you, it’s not about the taste–it’s the sentiment that matters to me. It’s worth every penny. Please.
This time, Celestine didn’t refuse.
She smirked and tapped “accept.”
Sentiment, huh? He really was pulling out all the stops.
If she could pocket nearly fifty thousand just by ordering takeout every day, she’d gladly watch Lance drag out this whole pitiful act a little longer.
***
At the hospital.
Lance saw the notification that Celestine had accepted the money and allowed himself a satisfied smile,
That’s more like it.
Suddenly, a mocking voice drifted in from outside the room. “Well, well, look at you,
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Designer Blake. How’d you end up like this? Beaten to a pulp, and not even a to keep you company.”
Zeke sauntered in, dropping a half–hearted fruit basket on the nightstand, his eyes full of mischief.
Lance scowled. “Take that fruit basket with you when you leave.”
Zeke looked Lance up and down. “So cautious. Are you really trying to reel Celestine in?”
He did look the part.
Last night, Lance had dragged him in to play along with the charade. Frankly, Zeke had nearly blown a fuse at Celestine.
Women like her–hopeless.
Lance’s expression was cold. “Unless you have a better idea? She’s made Joanna the target of endless abuse. There’s no way I’ll let her walk away unscathed.”
These past days, the internet was flooded with people calling Joanna a homewrecker.
Every time he called Joanna, he could hear the tears she was trying to hold back.
All because of Celestine.
If it weren’t for her, Joanna would be Mrs. Fordham by now, with no reason to bear
this vicious slander.
He was determined to drag Celestine down with him–she was the true culprit.
Zeke snorted. “Man, you’re something else. All this for your art.‘ I couldn’t do it. Just seeing Celestine’s face pisses me off. By the way, does Joanna know about your fiancée?”
Lance’s expression darkened. “Watch your mouth. If I catch you saying anything to Joanna, I’ll make sure you and Mirabelle are married by tomorrow.”
Yes, he had a fiancée.
He’d been engaged before he ever met Joanna.
But his fiancée had spent the past few years overseas, only coming home for a meal now and then; they barely interacted.
The Blake family kept things discreet, and Lance had made sure almost no one knew about the engagement.
Chapter zzO
Once Celestine was in his grasp, he’d announce the truth–and see her forever marked by shame.
If all went well, he could even break off that meaningless engagement,
He didn’t love that woman.
This life, Joanna was the only one he’d ever protect.
Now and always.
“Fine, have it your way.” Zeke gritted his teeth. “Just make sure you don’t screw this up. If anyone finds out–or if Celestine catches on–I’ll be the first to laugh at you.”
He gave a derisive chuckle. “But honestly? Not a chance.”
Celestine, a woman who’d spent years as a housewife, suddenly unwilling to settle, but still desperate for love deep down.
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