Thorns Grow After Betrayal (Celeste and Chester) novel Chapter 165

"Thank you, Mr. Prescott." Celestine unfastened her seatbelt and glanced over at Gideon, who was doing the same. She hesitated, then asked, "Do you have an appointment here as well?"

Gideon replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "You're welcome, Miss Selwyn. But do you remember that meal you promised me? Let's make it tonight."

Celestine froze.

Oh no. How could she have forgotten?

She'd been swamped with work lately, and since Gideon had never brought it up again, the dinner invitation had completely slipped her mind.

Apparently, he hadn't forgotten at all.

She'd only planned to pick up some gifts for her friends today—she hadn't made any dinner plans.

Celestine explained her situation to Gideon, suggesting she'd select the gifts first and then meet him at the rooftop restaurant.

He readily agreed.

Only then did Celestine feel she could finally exhale.

She stepped out of the car and headed straight for the third floor of the mall.

There, she made her way into one of the few high-end boutiques she used to frequent back in Portside City.

The sales associate's eyes lit up the moment she saw her. "Miss Selwyn, it's been so long since you visited us."

Celestine greeted her politely with a smile. "You look busy. I'll just browse on my own."

It didn't take long for her to find a black obsidian and diamond star-shaped brooch.

At a glance, she knew it would suit Crystal Lennox perfectly—and the price was just right.

She pointed to the display case. "I'll take this one. Please wrap it up for me."

The sales associate beamed and carefully removed the brooch. "Absolutely."

A mocking voice drifted over from the lounge area. "So it's Mrs. Fordham, splurging as always."

Elena Langley sat with her arms crossed, jealousy flickering in her eyes as she spoke with thinly veiled malice.

Celestine acted as if she hadn't heard a thing, focusing instead on the accessories display.

Elena stood up and trailed behind her, arms folded, her gaze sharp and resentful. "Doesn't it bother you at all to spend Mr. Fordham's money like this, Mrs. Fordham? Doesn't your conscience ache?"

Elena's smirk faltered. "What nonsense are you talking about? Why would I be jealous of her?!"

Ignoring her denial, Celestine let out a soft, knowing laugh. "You are jealous. You envy her for being Chester's mistress—even that's a title you never managed to claim."

Elena's face went pale, then flushed with anger.

Her feelings for Chester had always been her most carefully guarded secret.

Back when rumors about Chester and Joanna were swirling everywhere, everyone thought they'd end up together.

But then, unexpectedly, Joanna left the country.

Chester sank into a depression for a while, but eventually pulled himself together.

The Fordham family started looking for a suitable match for him, and Elena was one of the candidates.

She'd been only fifteen when she met her best friend's older brother, and that was when she first started harboring a secret crush.

She'd always thought her chance would come one day.

But instead, she'd had to watch as Chester secretly married some unknown woman from Oceanview City and even had a child with her.