Celestine led Cynthia, step by step, until they stood in front of Joanna.
Joanna had nowhere to hide.
She glanced over at Chester, hoping for some sympathy, but the man seemed lost
in thought, completely checked out of the situation.
Biting her red lip, Joanna did something she’d never done before–she apologized to a child, her voice stiff and barely audible. “I’m sorry.”
Then, flustered and annoyed, she hurried out of the office.
Celestine watched it all unfold, her expression cold and unreadable.
She knelt to check Cynthia’s calf for any other injuries.
Cynthia, her voice sweet and innocent, wrapped her arms around Celestine’s neck. “Miss Angel, I’m fine! It doesn’t hurt at all.”
“Cynthia, if anyone ever tries to bully you again, you come tell Aunt Celestine right away, okay?”
Celestine’s heart clenched. Cynthia was so sensible for her age–far too mature for a little girl. That only made her more vulnerable to being picked on.
Chester observed the whole exchange in silence.
He was certain now–Cynthia couldn’t possibly be Celestine’s daughter. But watching them together, he couldn’t help but notice how much kinder Celestine was to Cynthia than he’d ever seen her be to her own child.
Why?
Conflicted, Chester finally spoke. “Your own daughter stormed out of here. Are you done being mad yet?”
Just hearing his demanding tone made Celestine want to roll her eyes.
“These are two different things. She apologized to Cynthia–that has nothing to do
with me.”
She turned, her gaze icy “Chester, Celia’s already using violence against other children. Last time it was me, now it’s Cynthia. Who’s next? Don’t you think, as her father, you bear some responsibility here?”
Chester was momentarily stunned into silence.
09.17
Chapter 254
When he managed a reply, his tone had gone cold. “I say one thing, you say ten. Celestine, must we do this every time?”
Celestine laughed, the sound sharp and mocking. “Oh, struck a nerve, have I? Mr. Fordham, maybe you should use a little of that business genius on parenting for a change. Otherwise, when your kids grow up and turn into total menaces, don’t be surprised if everyone’s saying ‘like father, like child.”
She had no intention of letting him off easy. She wanted him to feel
uncomfortable–to have a taste of her frustration. Why hold back? It only took a
few words.
Sure enough, as soon as she finished, Chester looked like he was about to erupt.
Celestine scooped Cynthia into her arms, brushed past him, and tossed over her shoulder, “Don’t forget–three days from now, at City Hall.”
Chester hung his head, the veins in his forehead standing out, but he swallowed his anger and said nothing.
The teacher, standing off to the side, had watched the whole scene, her heart pounding. Chester was handsome, sure, but right now he looked downright intimidating. Clearly, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.
Suddenly, Chester looked up, fixing his gaze on her.
The teacher jumped.
In a low, strained voice, he asked, “Can you tell me how my daughter’s been doing at school lately?”
She hesitated, surprised by the question.
When Chester finished listening to everything his daughter had been up to recently, his expression darkened even further.
Unable to hold back, the teacher offered a gentle suggestion. “Mr. Fordham, your daughter is still so young–she’s at an age where her values are still forming. Even if you’re busy, it’s important to make time to be with her.”
“Yes, I understand. Thank you.”
Chester nodded and left.
A message from Joanna popped up–she and Celia were already waiting in the car. He found Celia curled up in Joanna’s arms, tapping away on her phone, seemingly unconcerned by the fact that she had nearly hurt someone that day.
09:17
Chapter 254
Chester’s brow furrowed, anger rising again.
Joanna noticed his mood and quickly nudged Celia. “Come on, sweetheart, sit up. Daddy needs a seat.”
Celia barely looked up. “Daddy can sit in the front. It’s way more comfortable back here with Godmom.”
