Tad bolde get it all wrong” Nota couldn’t shake the thought as she studiest Celeste
After parting ways with Nora, Celeste stove straight back to the hospital
When she arrived. M
Marcus was out for a check–up, leaving his hospital room empty.
She settled onto the sola, phone in hand, scrolling thussugh her messages and missed calls.
Every single one was from Chloe
a new number.
Chloe: [Celeste, don’t you realize you’ve lost something|
Chloe: Your favorite bracelet is with me. If you want it back, tell your lawyer to drop the Lawsuit.)
Chloe I’m still your sister, for God’s sake. Do you really have to be this heartless?]
Chloe: Celeste If you don’t answer me. I swear I’ll destroy it |
Celeste’s fingers tightened around
nd her phone. The bracelet, she thought,
On instinct, she rifled through her bag. It wasn’t there
Her chest tightened. That red bracelet wasn’t just jewelry–it had been a
from someone irreplaceable. Losing it wasn’t an option.
Without hesitation, she called Chloe’s number. The moment the call comected, she said coldly. “Give it back.”
Chloe smirked, twirling the
bracelet between her fingers.
Well she thought, amused. “The bitch finally care enough to call me back.
Chloe let out a laugh, saccharine and smug “Of course, my dear sister. But only after you have your lawyer drop the lawsuit against me? Celeste’s jaw clenched. You’re threatening me?”
Chloe gasped theatrically. Threaten? That’s such an ugly word,” she said with false mnocence. I prefer to call it… a negotiation.
Celeste found Chloe increasingly intolerable, but since Chloe still had her bracelet, Celeste had no choice but to temporarily let her be. Celeste exhaled sharply, her patience thinning. “I can withdraw the lawsuit, but that doesn’t erase the fact that you tried to frame me for plagiarism. Whether or not we go to court, you still owe me damages.
Chloe’s voice turned mocking “Sounds to me like you don’t really want your bracelet back.”
She actually dares to speak t
to me in that tone, Chloe seethed, gripping the bracelet tighter.
Celeste’s expression remained ice–cold. “Dropping the lawsuit is already a luge concession. Push me any further, and I won’t just take you to court—I’ll make sure you lose everything. Maybe I’ll send you to prison!”
Celeste gave her no room to argue. “You have two options, One: I drop the lawsuit, you return my bracelet, and you compensate me for damages
Tho
You refuse, and I take you to court, where
re you’ll l
lose far more than money. You should know which one is better.”
Chloe thought, furious, How could she send me to prison? I didn’t commit some huge crimel
Her nails dug into her palm. “You’re being ridiculous! If you keep pushing me, I’ll burn the day thing!” she snapped.
If she even thinks about burning my bracelet, Celeste thought coldly, then prison will be the least of her worries. I’ll make sure she whhes she never crossed me
Celestes voice was eerily calm. “If that bracelet goes up in flames, so does your future. You have one hour to decide.
“If you return my bracelet, and you compensate me, I
me, I’ll let you go. If you don’t, my lawyer will move forward with the lawsuit first thing
TO 35
Chapter 21
That damn bitch. Chloe thought.
Chloe clenched her fist, suppressing her anger before snapping. “How much do you want?”
“30 million dollars, Celeste said without hesitation.
“What? 30 million dollars?” Chloe’s voice shot up several octaves her outrage echoing through the phone. “Are you out of your mind? already gave you 30 million before! Now you want another three?”
Celeste remained unfazed. The previous 30 million was for having me cover for you. This 30 million is compensation for plagiarizing my work
Chloe’s face twisted with fury. She actually dares to bring that up? Does this bitch forget that when she helped me, she ruined my reputation in the process?”
Her blood boiled, but she forced herself to remain composed.
She gritted her teeth and exhaled sharply before saying, “Give me time to think about it.”
I’ll give you one hour, Celeste replied coolly. “If I don’t hear from you by then, I’ll take it as a refusal and have my lawyer proceed with the lawsuit immediately.”
Without waiting for a response, Celeste ended the call
Chloe gripped her phone so tightly her knuckles turned white. She wanted to smash it against the wall–but then she remembered. She couldn’t afford a new one
She slammed the phone onto the table instead, then stormed over to her closet, rummaging through drawers, jewelry boxes, and anything of value.
she might be
When she first moved back home, Eleanor and Grant had gifted her plenty of expensive jewelry. If she sold everything sh able to scrape together around 3 million dollars.
But that was nowhere near enough.
She had to ask Eleanor and Grant for help.
But as much as she wanted to go to Grant, she knew that was a dead end.
He had already given her 30 million before–if she went back asking for more, he’d never agree. That left her with only one option. She could only hope Eleanor’d be willing to give her the money.
Celeste had just hung up on Chloe when Marcus walked in.
He looked pale from his check–up, his usual sharp demeanor slightly dulled.
Celeste immediately stood, stepping toward him. “Mr. Hale, you don’t look well,” she said, concern flickering in her gaze. “Are you alright
“Im fine.” Marcus murmured, his voice rougher than usual,
She reached out instinctively, steadying him. “Sit down and rest,” she urged, guiding him toward the bed. “I go get you some food.
Marcus coughed lightly, settling into the mattress. “You had lunch with my mother today,” he said, watching her carefully. “Did she give you a hard
Celeste shook her head. “No”
Marcus narrowed his e
eyet
“Are you
you sure?” he pressed.
Celeste had no intention of telling Marcus what had really transpired between her and Nora. If she told him the truth, he’d only overthink it
Celeste met his gaze evenly. “Yeah, she said smoothly. “She only invited me to apologize. Nothing more.”
20
10.35 AM
He thought. Maybe I am wrong. Maybe Mom just wants to make amends”
Deciding not to push further, he let the subject drop.
Celeste, seeing no reason to continue the conversation, simply remained by his side in silence. When five o’clock rolled around, she left the hospital to buy dinner for him.
By the time she returned, she placed the neatly packed meal on his bedside table and picked up her bag. “Mr. Hale, your dinner is ready,” she said her voice even. Tm heading home now,”
Ө
