Thorns Grow After Betrayal (Celeste and Chester) novel Chapter 41

With that, he turned and strode out, entourage in tow.

He was no longer the green, isolated young heir of the Fordham family's second branch from six years ago—no longer the boy who had to swallow humiliation without connections or support.

It had only taken him three years to acquire the largest privately owned company in Portside City.

He had leverage now. There was no way the old man would trade the Fordham family's entire future—and his own grandson—for a vague debt of gratitude owed to someone whose name he could barely recall.

"Achoo—!"

Celestine let out a violent sneeze.

Was someone thinking about her?

Crystal Lennox burst through the hospital room door like a whirlwind.

"Celly!"

She stopped short at the sight of Celestine, bandaged and battered. Crystal wanted to hug her, but the sight of her injured hand and bruised eye made her hesitate. For a designer, wounds like these were nothing short of catastrophic.

"Don't worry, Crystal. I'm really okay," Celestine tried to wave off her concern, forcing a reassuring smile.

But glancing down at herself, she realized she hardly looked convincing.

Of course, Crystal took it as Celestine putting on a brave face.

She ushered Pete out of the room, and the two women spoke in private for a while.

When the conversation turned to Celestine's latest design submission, Crystal's expression finally brightened. "The client absolutely loved your work! As soon as you're discharged, they want to meet with you in person to talk about the project."

Even after six years away from the drawing board, Celestine was still the most talented designer Crystal had ever known.

Celestine smiled. "That's great. I'll be happy to walk them through it myself."

Just then, the door to the VIP suite opened and a nurse's voice called, "Miss Selwyn, time to change your dressing."

As the door swung open, Celestine caught a fleeting glimpse of a shadow outside. She rubbed her eyes, but when she looked again, the hallway was empty.

She must have imagined it.

...

In the hospital's administrative office, Gideon sat in silence, reviewing Celestine's medical file.

"Mr. Prescott, as you instructed, we've covered up the fact that Miss Selwyn's memory loss isn't genuine. The Fordham family seems to be investigating whether she truly remembers anything from before the accident," the doctor reported, handing over a detailed health assessment.

During her stay, members of the Fordham family had come by a few times, even offering her the deed to a Sunderidge villa, transferred to her name as compensation.

She was more than satisfied with that arrangement.

She'd heard through the grapevine that Raymond had gone with Alistair. With any luck, he wouldn't end up as cold and calculating as his father.

Celestine gave a soft, dismissive snort. Once she was cleared for discharge, she wasted no time getting dressed.

Pete was away on a business trip, so she didn't bother calling him to pick her up.

She had more important things to do—namely, meeting with the sportswear brand's executives for the dinner that had been postponed a month ago.

Crystal had mentioned the meeting to her two days prior.

As soon as she'd finished her paperwork, Celestine headed straight to The Vantage Club.

The elevator was out of service, so not wanting to be late, she hurried up the side stairwell.

Just as she rounded the corner on the third floor, she overheard two men laughing crudely.

"Just slip this into her drink. I guarantee she'll be all over you in no time!"