Joanna’s face twisted with fury, every muscle drawn taut.
“Don’t think you can win me over with a few words! Celestine, I told you before–what’s mine will never end up in your hands!”
A sly smile played at the corner of Celestine’s lips. “Oh? I’m already getting a divorce. If something really belongs to you, why hasn’t it found its way back to you yet? Face it, Joanna–you’re just not good enough.”
Joanna’s anger flared; her hand shot up, ready to slap Celestine across the face.
But then, catching sight of someone approaching from the corner of her eye, she twisted, bringing the slap down hard on her own cheek instead.
She collapsed to the floor, clutching her stinging face, eyes brimming with tears. “Celly, I know you’re still angry about what happened back then, but you have Chester now–why won’t you just let it go? If you’re still not satisfied, go ahead, hit me again! I’ll apologize, whatever you want!”
With that, she grabbed Celestine’s hand and tried to smack herself again.
“What the hell are you two doing?”
A man’s icy voice cut through the chaos.
Celestine recognized Chester’s tone instantly and knew Joanna had just switched to her next act.
Joanna kept clutching Celestine’s wrist, frantically smacking her own face with it. “Come on, that’s not nearly hard enough.”
Crack!
Celestine’s voice was calm as she spoke, but the slap that followed was anything but. She swung with all her strength, leaving a vivid red mark blooming across Joanna’s cheek.
Joanna’s mind blanked from the shock. Half her face burned as if it had been branded, and blood beaded at the corner of her mouth.
She stared, stunned. How dare she?
Celestine, that idiot–wasn’t she supposed to break down in tears and beg Chester for forgiveness when wrongly accused? How dare she hit her!
For three whole seconds, Joanna just sat there in disbelief. Then, the waterworks
started. “Celly, does that make you feel better? If you’re still not satisfied, keep going–hit me until you’re done. Please, just take the video down from the internet when you’re finished.”
“Sure,” Celestine replied coldly, her eyes hard.
Joanna’s face lit up with hope–until Celestine raised her other hand, ready to deliver another slap.
But before she could land the blow, a strong hand caught her wrist midair. “Celestine, do you think I’m dead or something?!”
Chester’s grip was ironclad, squeezing her wrist so tightly it felt like he might snap it.
Celestine gritted her teeth against the pain, then, with a sudden twist, broke free and slapped him squarely across his handsome face.
The slap echoed through the room. Silence fell.
Joanna gaped at Celestine, utterly incredulous. “How could you hit Chester?!”
“Why shouldn’t I?” Celestine glared daggers at the man before her. “Let me guess–you were just about to ask why I hit Joanna, why I’m the villain, why everything is aimed at you. Well, as you wish. That slap was for you, so take it like a man.”
Chester’s face darkened to storm–cloud gray–that was exactly what he’d been
about to say.
“Celestine, don’t push your luck!”
“You say that every time. Aren’t you tired of it yet?” Celestine’s laugh was cold. “Tell me–what did I ever get out of this? The thrill of catching you both in bed? The joy of being betrayed by my own family? Wow, I must be the luckiest woman alive.”
Chester’s grip loosened, and his anger flickered. “I’ve explained everything to you,
over and over-”
“Sorry, I’m done listening,” Celestine snapped, shaking off his hand.
“Tomorrow. Courthouse. Be there.”
Chester said nothing.
He had no intention of letting her slip away. Tonight, the people he’d hired would make sure any video evidence in Celestine’s hands disappeared.
17:22 @
Chapter 272
There was no way he’d agree to a divorce.
Joanna watched him, desperate for some sign he’d fight for her, but his silence was deafening. Her heart plummeted.
What the hell did that woman have, anyway? What made her so special that even now, he refused to let her go?
