Thorns Grow After Betrayal (Celeste and Chester) novel Chapter 244

Carr’s cheek stung from the slap.

Still defiant, Paula snapped back, “Someone like you—no way you’d ever settle for a place this cheap. Dropping five hundred a month just for that woman? Seriously?”

She had already noticed the man’s suit—tailored, expensive. Just the jacket alone could buy this entire apartment.

Gideon’s smile faded from his deep-set eyes as he took a seat beside Celestine. “I’ll pay five thousand a month.”

The agent, who had all but given up, instantly came back to life, eyes bright with anticipation. If he closed this deal today, that would be a hefty commission for him—plus a cut of the tenant’s fee as well.

“Sir, I have the rental contract right here! If you’d like to take the place, we can sign right now!” he exclaimed, rummaging through his briefcase in a frenzy.

Celestine frowned, shaking her head at Gideon. She knew he was stepping in on her behalf, but she couldn’t stand the thought of him wasting money on her account.

Gideon just winked, his storm-grey eyes crinkling with an easy charm.

Celestine’s breath caught for a moment.

But when he turned to the agent, his expression snapped back to its usual cool detachment. With a rare air of patience, Gideon picked up the ballpoint pen and signed his name on the lease. Even in this cramped apartment, he carried himself as if he were closing a multi-million dollar deal—or more.

The agent could hardly contain his delight. “The contract says five hundred per month—let me go back and amend that,” he said, almost tripping over his words.

“No need,” Gideon said, glancing down as he pulled out his phone.

“Oh, sure!” the agent replied quickly, thinking Gideon just wanted to avoid hassle. “And, um—about the agency fee?”

“Payment code,” Gideon said flatly.

“Right away!”

He scrambled to pull up his payment QR code.

Celestine’s gaze was ice-cold. “You want your commission? Go back to whoever hired you.”

The agent looked helplessly at Gideon. “Mr. Prescott, the agency fee is only two-fifty…”

“I recall the lease was for five hundred a month,” Gideon replied, voice icy and unyielding.

The agent could’ve kicked himself. Why did he have to mess with these two? Now he was stuck—no way out, and not nearly enough money to show for it.

Meanwhile, Paula and Carr watched the whole scene unfold, not daring to even breathe too loudly. Five thousand dollars—heck, even five hundred—was more than they could spare in a month if they scrimped and saved every penny.

Faced with the prospect of paying such a huge sum, they were utterly defeated.

Finally, Paula broke down in tears, pleading, “Miss Selwyn, please, don’t hold it against us! We didn’t know any better—we’re truly sorry! We don’t have any money left!”

Carr chimed in, voice trembling. “She’s right. My big mouth always gets me in trouble—I ought to sew it shut myself!”