Fifty million dollars–that was exactly the sum needed to fill the gaping hole and cover the debts from the company’s recent crisis.
Gelestine’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Sure. Although, patricide does sound a bit tricky. Don’t worry, I wouldn’t dream of keeping your secret. Just let me know when you’re ready–I’ll come watch the show and be sure to call the police for Uncle, since he’s the real culprit behind your brother’s death, after all.”
Jade was livid, practically shaking with rage.
This witch was doing it on purpose!
She lunged forward, but this time Pete was ready.
The moment she moved, his dark eyes flashed with a cold warning.
“Celly’s got a point. You got a problem with that?”
Jade froze, rooted to the spot, a storm of anger and resentment swirling inside her.
“What’s going on here?”
A warm, mellow voice cut through the tension.
Jade spun around, and relief washed over her the instant she saw the man standing there, looking every bit the knight in shining armor.
“Mr. Prescott, they’re all bullying me!”
Today, Gideon Prescott wore his gold–rimmed glasses a rare sight these days. The sharp edge he usually carried was gone, replaced by an air of scholarly restraint and quiet approachability.
“Oh? And how exactly are they bullying you?” His tone was casual, almost teasing.
He fixed his deep, unreadable gaze on Celestine, who met his eyes and blinked, unruffled.
A subtle smile tugged at Gideon’s lips.
But Jade was focused only on her performance. Remembering how her mother always played the victim, she ducked her head and let the tears fall, sobbing as if her heart might break–completely oblivious to the silent exchange happening behind her.
“Mr. Prescott, my mother married into the Selwyn family years ago. She finally
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managed to get pregnant, but just because my sister was worried the baby would threaten her inheritance, she convinced my father to do something reckless. In the end, my mother lost the baby! She was rushed into surgery and hasn’t woken up since. I might lose my mother, too…”
She embellished every detail, her voice trembling, tears streaming down her face.
Celestine almost felt exhausted on her behalf.
If there was an Olympic medal for twisting the truth, Jade would’ve taken gold. As for lying–she didn’t even need to rehearse.
If she’d actually cared about inheritance, those twins would’ve been added to the Selwyn family’s records a long time ago.
But Jade pressed on, eyes shimmering with fresh tears as she pleaded with Gideon. “Mr. Prescott, I never wanted anything from this family, but they keep pushing me. I’m sure they knew about my mother’s pregnancy all along and planned everything! Celestine is the real murderer here!”
As she finished, she shot Gideon a furtive glance, searching for any hint of sympathy.
To her surprise, his usually impassive face actually softened–just a little–with something that almost looked like pity.
“That is rather tragic,” Gideon said.
Jade’s heart soared.
When a man starts to feel sorry for you, that’s always the first step toward winning his heart!
What a happy surprise.
Gideon listened quietly as Jade poured out her endless grievances, then beckoned with a finger toward the corridor.
In no time, the crowd of onlookers was ushered away by his bodyguards.
Color returned to Jade’s pale cheeks, and a blush bloomed as she clung to her chance. “Mr. Prescott, you’re so kind. I knew you’d help me.”
Celestine couldn’t help but notice Jade’s incessant “Mr. Prescott’s, and for a moment, memories she’d rather forget flickered through her mind.
But Jade misread the look on Celestine’s face, assuming she’d managed to frighten
her.
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Her confidence soared as she gazed up at Gideon, fragile and pitiful as ever. “Mr. Prescott, if my sister is willing to kneel and apologize to my mother in front of everyone—and pay fifty million in compensation–then I’ll let it go. All I want is justice and to clear my name.”
Gideon’s eyes narrowed, a hint of a smile playing at his lips. “Vernon, what’s the penalty for slander?”
Vernon responded without missing a beat. “Sir, intentionally fabricating and spreading false information–if the circumstances are serious–can mean three to seven years in prison.”
