Celestine watched her coldly.
Dahlia had never shown her a shred of kindness, all because of her family background.
Even after Celestine nearly died bringing two children into this world, Dahlia insisted on giving all the credit to her precious son.
“You little vixen! Was ruining Chester’s first marriage not enough for you? Now you’ve nearly killed him! Day after day, you play the victim, threatening divorce, hanging on to him and refusing to let go! Have you no shame? With a daughter–in–law like you, sometimes I wish I could bash my own head in!”
Dahlia’s finger shook with fury as she hurled her accusations at Celestine, spittle flying. She didn’t care at all about the curious stares of passersby.
Celestine listened to her tirade with an expressionless face.
“Chester chose me. Why is it that I’m always the one to blame?”
Dahlia’s anger only grew. “My son’s accident happened in your car! What more do you have to say for yourself? If it weren’t for you, why would he have ever set foot in that piece of junk? You must have manipulated him–my son is too kind for his own good, and you took advantage of that!”
After another barrage of illogical accusations, Celestine calmly pulled out the
divorce certificate.
“Sorry, but the car was Chester’s decision, and we’re already divorced.”
She unfolded the certificate, holding it up so Dahlia could clearly see the date from
a few feet away.
Sanderson stared in shock. “Celly, don’t be so impulsive!”
espect.
To Sanderson, Celestine had always been the dutiful, sensible daughter–in–law–raising their two grandchildren, treating her in–laws w Even though Chester’s affair had caused a scandal, she’d handled it with dignity. Her family history might not have been impressive, but Sanderson had never needed a woman’s background to bolster his son’s reputation–he’d rather do without.
Compared to Dahlia, Sanderson’s tone was much less harsh, but he had always kept out of his son and daughter–in–law’s marital affairs. Even so, this divorce had
Chapter 290
caught him completely off guard.
Celestine turned to him–the stern, distinguished man, still sharp–eyed in middle age, with more than a passing resemblance to Chester.
“Dad, this is the last time I’ll call you that. Chester and I made this decision together. We went to the courthouse as a couple. This isn’t some rash move.”
Sanderson’s frown deepened. He opened his mouth to reply, but Dahlia charged forward, snatching the certificate from Celestine’s hand.
“Divorce? After all the Fordham family has done for you, how dare you ask for a divorce! A man like Chester–you really think you can keep him chained to you for life? If anyone’s ending this marriage, it’ll be my son, not you, you little tramp!”
Dahlia clutched the certificate, shaking with fury.
Celestine was too disgusted by her shamelessness to bother arguing.
“Give it back,” she said, her voice icy.
“I’m warning you! I won’t let this go! I have every reason to believe you set Chester up! You’re after his inheritance, aren’t you? You heartless woman–I’ll call the police and have you arrested!”
Dahlia ripped the divorce certificate in two and tossed it in the trash.
Celestine forced herself to stay calm. She knew that going head–to–head with Dahlia now would only lead to a pointless, exhausting fight.
“Fine, go ahead and call the police. In fact, I’d love to know why my car was in perfect condition when I drove it to the courthouse, but the moment Chester got in, there was suddenly a problem.”
Joanna stepped out of the elevator just in time to hear Celestine’s pointed question. Her heart skipped a beat.
She knew Celestine was going to the courthouse with Chester that day. But she just couldn’t let it go.
She’d made sure to have someone tamper with the brakes on Celestine’s car the night before.
