Chapter 279
Celestine’s beautiful, delicate face looked uncharacteristically forlorn.
“I was even worried about your leg. I took the time to visit a church and got you a blessing charm. But now, I guess there’s no point in giving it to you.”
“After all, anything that comes from a bad woman is bound to bring bad luck.”
“It’s not what you think,” Lance said, struggling to explain. “Where’s the charm?”
Joanna tightened her grip on Lance’s arm.
Idiot.
He was supposed to help her, not get caught up in this mess.
Celestine ignored him.
That’s just how manipulators work–words slipping easily from their lips.
Lance looked at Joanna’s tear–stained face and, in the end, swallowed what he was
about to say.
“Miss Selwyn, it’s late. You’re my guest, and whatever’s happened, let’s not turn this into a feud. I booked a suite for you upstairs. You can go rest there when you’re ready.”
He placed the key card on the table and left with the still–sobbing Joanna.
Celestine watched the key card with a half–smile, half–sneer.
A wolf in sheep’s clothing, pretending to care.
“Joanna, after the way she treated you, you really didn’t have to get her a room,” Lance said, frowning.
n
Joanna sighed, exasperated. “Lance, Celly has always been prejudiced against me. If she knew I arranged the room, she’d never accept it.”
4
Well, as long as Celestine stepped into that suite, she’d never walk out the same.
Either her reputation or her body would be shattered tonight.
Everything Joanna had done was leading up to this moment.
She’d waited long enough–Chester had made sure of that.
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Chapter 279
Years of sacrifice, and in the end, she was left with nothing but the mess left by that plastic beauty.
Now that Chester was starting to care about that woman, Joanna could hardly wait for him to see the sight of his own wife being ruined.
Lance could tell Joanna was deep in thought, but since she didn’t want to talk, he didn’t press.
Whatever needed cleaning up, he’d handle it for her.
Seeing Joanna forced to beg Celestine tonight had been like a thorn in his heart.
Joanna belonged on a pedestal, untouchable–she shouldn’t have to bow or bend for anyone.
When they finally reached the lounge, Joanna made her call.
“Suite 1303, around eight ten. Be there early. I don’t need to know the details–just get it done.”
She’d chosen the
St crew for the job.
By now, whatever was in Celestine’s drink should be kicking in.
From the second–floor balcony, Joanna watched the banquet hall, tracking
Celestine’s every move.
Sure enough, soon Celestine picked up the key card, staggering toward the elevator. Joanna’s lips curled into a satisfied smile.
Just as everything seemed to be falling into place, a tall man suddenly stepped between Celestine and Joanna’s line of sight.
Joanna couldn’t see Celestine’s face–or the man’s, for that matter.
Annoying!
But then her eyes widened.
Just a second later, delight flickered across her face.
She saw it–the man kissed Celestine!
PE
Instantly, Joanna whipped out her phone and started filming.
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Chapter 279
At the bar, Celestine tried to stand, but her head spun dizzily.
It dawned on her too late–the drink had been tampered with.
She felt her strength draining away. In a daze, she fumbled for the room key Lance had left and prepared to leave, only for Gideon to appear.
When Celestine tried to stand, she bit her tongue, tripped over her own feet, and fell straight into that faintly fragrant embrace.
Her upper lip pressed perfectly against Gideon’s cool, firm lower lip.
Flustered, Celestine patted Gideon in a panic, but she only ended up biting down on his soft lip, deepening the accidental kiss.
He drew in a sharp breath.
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