Thorns Grow After Betrayal (Celeste and Chester) novel Chapter 82

Celestine lowered her gaze, smoothing out the wrinkles on her dress with calm composure. "I'm not sure what's made you harbor such strong opinions about me, Miss Coco," she said evenly. "But I trust you didn't mean any harm."

With those words, she turned to leave.

Coco's mind was a tangle of confusion and frustration. Without thinking, she blurted, "Where are you going? The interview hasn't even started!"

"Let's end things here for today," Celestine replied, pausing and glancing back at her. "You might want to take another look at the primary collection Seabay sent me." She motioned to her dress. "For example, this piece I'm wearing is one of their samples."

"Thank you for your appreciation and support."

The final words landed like a punch.

Coco's face twisted in disbelief.

She suddenly remembered what she'd said to Celestine at the door.

‘The company really went out of their way to find you such a beautiful dress, Miss Selwyn.'

Now she wanted nothing more than to go back and throttle herself.

But honestly, wasn't this woman a little too petty?

All she'd done was ask a couple of harmless questions, yet Celestine had simply walked out of Seabay's interview as if it were nothing.

No one had ever done that before!

Well—except for Jade, that hopeless case. This was all her fault!

In the main lobby.

Jade had no idea what had just transpired in the interview room.

But she'd already given her old college acquaintance—a senior now working as a Seabay interviewer—a heads-up, dropping heavy hints that Celestine landed the Seabay collaboration through less-than-honorable means.

That Coco was notorious for her moral high ground and couldn't stand women like Celestine.

Jade could practically predict how her friend would tear Celestine apart in the interview.

Coco's razor-sharp tongue was legendary in their circle.

She just hoped her meek older sister wouldn't end up in tears.

"Oh, you're right. I'm just devastated." Celestine clutched a hand to her chest, feigning heartbreak, though inwardly she could barely stifle her laughter.

The Murdocks' daughter—so stupid it was almost painful to watch.

If she didn't have to keep up appearances, she might have burst out laughing right then and there.

But seeing as she had plenty of free time today, she decided she might as well play along for a bit.

"Since you know, why don't you hurry up and leave already!"

That was when Eddie, Seabay's manager, hurried in.

"Miss Selwyn, wait!"

Eddie called out in a panic.

He'd missed the start of Celestine's interview that morning because he'd been called to HQ for a report. When word of it got back to the higher-ups, they'd ordered him straight back to the office.

He'd rushed to the interview room, only to find Coco there alone.