Chapter 291
She had no idea why, but somehow she’d made it to the marriage office in one
piece.
What truly blindsided her, though, was Chester climbing into her car without a word. The moment she heard Chester had been in an accident, her whole world nearly collapsed. Still, the person she’d hired to do the dirty work was already safe and sound in North America. Even if the police started digging, there was no way the trail would ever lead back to her.
With both kids in her hands, she could use Chester’s time in a coma to win over the Fordhams. Once he woke and his marriage to Celestine was officially over, she could finally step into the Fordham family with her head held high.
Dahlia, upon hearing Celestine’s words, flew into a rage. “You little tramp! Are you calling my son a curse? Have you got a death wish?”
“Enough, Dahlia, just let it go. Celly’s not the kind of kid you think,” Sanderson groaned, rubbing his temples. The constant bickering was the main reason he’d always avoided coming home.
Joanna stepped forward, ready to play peacemaker. “Celly, Chester only ended up in that accident because of you. How could you say something so heartless? Dahlia’s just worried about her son. As a mother yourself, you should understand how she feels. Apologize to Dahlia.”
Dahlia’s expression softened, and she gave Joanna an approving look. This woman, whom she’d once despised as a homewrecker, suddenly seemed a lot more agreeable.
Celestine quietly retied the bandage around her cast, which had come loose. “Miss Sinclair, since you’re so good at putting yourself in someone else’s shoes, why not go a step further? Tell us how you’d gladly die for Chester.”
Joanna’s face darkened, shifting from red to pale and back again. “If I could, I’d trade places with Chester in a heartbeat. But it’s too late for that now. This happened because of you, and it’s only natural for Dahlia to be devastated for her
son.”
“So what, Sanderson isn’t heartbroken for his son too?” Celestine shot Joanna a cool glance.
Joanna’s face twisted. That little witch was trying to trip her up again! She couldn’t
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Chapter 291
help glancing at Sanderson, whose face had gone thunderous. When she and Chester had first gotten together, Sanderson had been her biggest obstacle. The irony still burned–he’d once handed her a check for two million dollars to get out of Chester’s life, only to have Chester turn around and marry Celestine, a woman even less worthy in Joanna’s eyes.
She both feared and resented Sanderson. He’d spent so many years abroad that she’d only managed to return home because he wasn’t there to stop her.
“Sanderson, that’s not what I meant…” Joanna tried to explain.
“Miss Sinclair,” Sanderson cut her off, his eyes narrowing, “I thought I made myself clear last time we met.” The quiet authority he’d always carried now pressed down on everyone in the room.
He’d seen all kinds of people in his long life. The first time he’d laid eyes on Joanna, he’d known Chester would end up ruined if he married her. That was why, despite his usual restraint, he’d personally arranged to meet her, a minor actress, all those years ago. She’d taken the money and left as agreed–or so he’d thought. Yet here she was again, rising from the ashes.
But Chester’s role at Fordham Group was already set. Sanderson was old and tired of all this drama. If not for the news of Chester’s critical condition, he’d be halfway to the Arctic by now.
Joanna’s face drained of color. “Sanderson, Chester’s still in serious condition. Let’s just check on him first. Oh, and Celia and Raymond are here–they’ll be up any second.”
She hurriedly changed the subject. Dahlia could sense something was off, but before she could say anything, the elevator doors slid open and the two children came running out.
“Mom!”
