An enemy of an enemy would be considered a friend. To Celete and Megan, Ava seemed like one."Mrs. Sullivan." The two greeted her politely."Hi, just call me Ava. Both of you aren't even from the entertainment industry, yet you’re picking up its bad habits, being all unnecessarily formal. I’m craving spicy crayfish. How about joining me for that and some drinks?" Ava spoke as if they were close.She wasn't pretense. They could get along.Celeste and Megan exchanged glances."Ava, you helped me out today. The treat is on me," Megan quickly said while reaching out to link arms with Ava."Let’s order some garlic-flavored ones too. I haven’t had garlic crayfish in a long time." Celeste chimed in.Thus, Ava, like a big sister, led the two beauties off to have their late-night meal.Dressed to the nines and all strikingly beautiful, the trio was conspicuously out of place sitting in a cheap diner next to the theater, where the average spend there was barely a hundred dollars."Is th
Celeste felt awkward when Ava exposed her."Mr. Sullivan is talented, no doubt, but he doesn't deserve you," Celeste spoke more bluntly than usual as the alcohol took effect.She typically avoided meddling in others' private affairs, but she genuinely thought Ava deserved better.Ava placed a hand on her shoulder with a deeper smile."You're now Sebastian's wife. Do you love him?"Without intending to hide her feelings, Celeste shook her head. "We're together because of fate's arrangement. I needed someone to fill the role of my husband back then, and Sebastian just happened to appear."Ava finished her drink in one gulp and opened another can. "Same for me.""You, of all people, have moments when you have no choice?"Celeste laughed at herself after asking that question. How could Ava not? Despite her privileged background and experiences, she was still human. Everyone was pushed by fate at times.Ava nodded. Her eyes were shadowed with sadness."The man I loved has passed a
"You can't see the forest for the trees." Celeste mused as she watched the light from Ethan's car disappear."There's something about the way Ethan looked at Ava. I find it hard to believe that he doesn't love her." Megan commented."Ava only said she doesn't love Ethan, not that Ethan doesn't love her." Celeste pointed out.To outsiders, Ava might seem pitiable in this relationship. After all, she was a beautiful woman from a wealthy family who got married to a notorious lover. However, things might be more complex."What is love, if not a vow to live and die together?" Megan remarked wistfully."When you were upset and had come over to my house that day, your godson said the same thing." Celeste suddenly giggled at Megan's sentimental expression."Oh, did he? Leo can be quite funny," Megan was awkward. In fact, love was exhausting, yet men and women were all caught up in it. No one had the right to mock anyone else about it."Come on, let's drink to this. Thanks for always bei
Winston didn't take Celeste home but instead took her to his and Megan's place. He arranged for Celeste to sleep in the guest room.The next day, Celeste finally told Winston everything that had happened at the movie press conference while the three were having breakfast together.Winston looked sympathetic. "So much for Dora's career being all but ruined.""Huh?" Megan lifted her head from her coffee cup, frowning as she looked at him.Was Winston sympathizing with Dora? She couldn't help but think of that incident with Lilian five years ago. It seemed absolutely pointless.What a nice bunch of people at the Belasco."Instead of focusing on making good movies, she's always meddling in nonsense. And now look, she can never make a movie again," Winston went on to say.Celeste retorted coldly, "It’s her own fault. If it weren't for Ava and me cleaning up her mess, someone else would have. I’m full. I'm going back now. Goodbye, Winston."Celeste got up and left."What's the matte
After the incident where Leo was falsely accused by Lester, Kayden was the only one from the Bishop family welcomed by Celeste and her son.The first time he went to the York residence, he didn't give advance notice. He rode a shared bicycle for ten kilometers in the heat of summer. He was seen sweating profusely and standing under the sun with a smile for Celeste.Celeste remembered the first time she was falsely accused by Leah, and Kayden had stood up for her. It softened her heart and made her nose tingle with emotion."Kayden, why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I could have picked you up."She hurried out to bring him inside, wiping his sweat while asking the servants to prepare some cool drinks."I missed you and Leo." Kayden smiled as he drank the watermelon juice a servant had brought. He, too, started addressing Celeste differently.He had grown up and was no longer the little toddler he used to be. Nourished well by the Bishop family, the ten-year-old was nearly as
Celeste, who was as quick-witted as ever, immediately understood what was going on from Ava's reaction."I'll call you back later," she said before abruptly ending the video call."Kayden, do you know Ava?" This wasn't a question to ask Ava. It needed to be asked of Kayden.Kayden seemed surprised that Celeste was unaware. "Ava is a relative of ours. Ava's mother was my brother and I's great aunt."Celeste was taken aback. She remembered meeting Damon's aunts and cousins at Serena's birthday party, but she hadn't met Ava. Even Megan, a prominent socialite, wasn’t aware of Ava’s relationship with Damon!"Do you not interact often?" she asked."We interact privately, but given my uncle's sensitive position, Ava's family avoids public appearances."Celeste did some research and found that Ava's father held a high-ranking position in the South Sea, which he indeed held a sensitive status. He must be a significant person since he wasn't allowed to retire in his seventies. The fact th
Celeste didn't dare delay. The journey from her office to the hospital usually took over half an hour. However, it took her less than twenty minutes this time."Hello, you must be one of the parents. Please, come with me." A person arranged by the kindergarten was waiting at the entrance, and Celeste knew from this setup that the situation was serious."What happened?""The children in the junior class have all suffered from nitrate poisoning today. We suspect someone in the kitchen staff tampered with the food. The police have been notified."The hospital had reserved a reception room for the kindergarten, and the staff member led Celeste upstairs.In the reception room, there were already about a dozen parents with worried expressions."Ms. York, Leo's symptoms are the mildest. He only suffers some dizziness and vomiting. The doctor has administered him an antidote. There's no need for worry." Leo's teacher hurriedly informed Celeste upon seeing her."Show me the lunch menu."
Celeste had picked Leo up from school many times before, and she remembered the kid named Jordan as a chubby little guy with dimples when he smiled. He was a gentle boy and loved to smile. His nickname was either Little Burger or Fries."I will hold your kindergarten accountable for this!" The young father of the child roared in agony.Celeste's heart trembled along, and she clenched her fists tightly.The poisoner deserved to die! Such people should be locked away forever!It was only because Leo knew about his pineapple allergy and avoided that dish. Otherwise... Her face turned frightfully pale, and she trembled.There were thirty children with varied degrees of poisoning. Jordan died despite attempts to save him. Several other children were in intensive care."I want to see Leo," Celeste said.She seemed so fragile that it tightened Damon's heart. He reached out and pulled her petite shoulders close while soothing her in a deep voice. "Don’t be afraid. I’m here."It was rar
He never would have imagined that the intelligent and aloof Celeste would have a day like this, appearing adorably naive and innocent.Damon used to like girls who were delicate and pure, but that changed when he met Celeste.She had a face full of charm and allure, but her expression and personality were always cold and unyielding. She was pale and slim, yet not childlike. On the contrary, she resembled a young poplar tree, proud and upright.Because of her, he began to like girls who sparked his desire to conquer, and he scoffed at those who were simply weak and shy.But now with Celeste like this, he didn't feel annoyed. In fact, not only was he not annoyed, he actually found it cute and interesting.“What's your name?” she asked again."Damon.""Oh, that sounds really nice."The initial confusion in her eyes was gone, replaced by a sparkling glimmer, and her tone carried a touch of a young girl's excitement."You are actually my husband… Wow, great job, me! I've managed to
"What? Aren’t you my husband? Do I still need to avoid you while changing clothes?" The confusion in Celeste's eyes didn’t seem fake.Damon was speechless and didn't know how to respond at that moment.When Damon didn't respond, Celeste suddenly felt a bit nervous."I'm sorry… I can't remember clearly. Aren't you my husband?"Damon raised an eyebrow casually and asked, "Why do you think I am?"Celeste innocently blinked, her eyelashes fluttering like fans. "The nurse said it. Besides, if you're not my husband, why would you sleep with me at night?""What did the nurse say?" Her reasoning was actually logical and undeniable. For a moment, Damon found it somewhat amusing."The nurse said that my husband is really thoughtful," Celeste responded seriously. Then she asked, "Aren't you my husband? Then why would you be willing to stay here with me so late?"This one sentence left Damon speechless.The reason he was willing was because he was a coward. He said that he didn't care abo
Damon frowned upon hearing the classic amnesiac questions being asked."Celeste, are you trying to act out a TV drama?"Celeste still looked at him blankly. "What do you mean?"Damon didn't answer and went straight to the director's office to get Nicholas.Knowing her, she wasn't the type to joke around, especially not with Leo still missing. She must have hit her head hard.Nicholas was equally surprised and hurried back to the room with Damon.Celeste was sitting up, hugging her knees and staring into space."You're awake? How do you feel?" Nicholas asked with a smile as he entered."Why am I here?" Her voice sounded hesitant, and she turned to look at them.Her confusion seemed genuine. Nicholas and Damon exchanged worried glances."Celeste… you don't remember?""Celeste?" She asked, "Is that my name?""Yes.""I don't remember. My mind is blank.""Do you remember… Leo?" Nicholas hesitated. After all, if she knew that her child had been missing for three days, he was wo
"Alright," Celeste said in a deep voice. "Let me see Leo first."They pushed open the hidden door, revealing a staircase leading to the basement."Have Leo come to the stairway corner." She stood at the dark staircase and negotiated with the kidnapper."Mommy!" Suddenly, Leo's desperate cry echoed from inside."Leo!" Celeste ditched everything else and rushed down the stairs.She ran ahead, and as soon as she reached the corner, there was a loud explosion, and a wave of heat hit her face."Celeste!""Celeste!"Damon and Winston's faces changed drastically, shouting in alarm.The basement was empty. It was a trap.Had they been more careful, they would have noticed that both the kidnapper’s voice and Leo’s cry were artificially synthesized. But Celeste, in her desperation to save her son, had been too frantic to discern this.The basement was rigged with landmines. Unfortunately, something went wrong. The mine exploded when Celeste reached the stairway corner, instead of when
What? Damon was also coming? Celeste felt her heart leap, and her voice became sharper as she said, "I can handle this. You can't come!"There was no response from his end.Observing Damon’s silence, Celeste quickly softened her tone. "Damon, listen to me. I can handle this alone. There's no need for you to get involved… because I'm their main target, and they likely won't harm Leo. You need to stay home and wait for him. You need to take care of him later on…""Celeste," Damon interrupted coldly. "Are you planning on not coming out alive?"Of course, coming out alive would be ideal, but she couldn’t guarantee that."Damon, I do have a chance of surviving, but when it comes to exchanging myself for Leo, there can be no room for error. We must follow the kidnapper's instructions to ensure Leo's safety."It was out of the question to provide a false sense of security and pretend to comply with the kidnapper, only to backtrack and get Leo killed.She needed to ensure Leo’s safety a
They checked all the surveillance footage near the Bishop residence and investigated every suspicious vehicle. They also had people keeping an eye on Henry, but after half a day, there was still no breakthrough.The kidnappers had taken Leo to threaten Celeste, and the lack of communication was meant to unnerve her. If it was according to predictions, she was supposed to wait for their demands. But, as a mother, she couldn't just sit and do nothing.Celeste remembered that Shannon had called her, so she found her contact in the blacklist and called."Shannon, did you and Henry kidnap Leo?" she demanded.Shannon laughed coldly. "Don't accuse us without any evidence. Your son is missing? Maybe it's karma. Hahaha!"Celeste hung up, unable to stand Shannon's smugness.Several teams searched for over 20 hours, even involving the police, but still had no solid leads. Celeste suspected Henry, but they couldn't just arrest him without any proof.She was extremely desperate. She didn't e
"Lester isn't as clever as Leo. He's just a four-year-old child, and he shouldn't have done anything like that," Serena instinctively defended Lester. Then, recalling the last time she had misunderstood Leo for similar reasons, she felt a pang of guilt and added, "I don't mean to imply anything… I'll have someone bring Lester here."Celeste nodded. "I'm not blaming Lester. I just want to understand what happened."Soon, the nanny looking after Lester brought him in. Unexpectedly, upon seeing Celeste, Lester burst into tears."Aunty Celeste, please don't hit me. I didn't mean to lose my brother!""Lester, I just want to understand what happened." Celeste was taken aback by his crying but kneeled down to speak gently. "I'm not blaming you. Can you tell me what you saw that day?""Aunty Celeste, don't hit me!" Lester kept crying, not saying a word about Leo's disappearance."Am I that scary, Lester?"At this moment, Celeste felt at a loss. She could communicate normally with Leo,
Celeste perfectly understood what Cedric's implied. "I mean, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to entertain me today."Cedric had indeed wanted to help her that day, but his identity was too special to admit it openly. The scratch on the paper was a subtle hint, and whether or not she could interpret it depended on her intuition. The fact that she could decipher such a subtle hint proved her intelligence and luck.Over the years, Cedric had developed a sense of respect for Celeste after learning about her. He felt she was deserving of assistance, but he couldn't make it obvious."However, be careful. I see that Henry is at the end of his rope and might act irrationally. You should be on guard," Cedric warned.Celeste nodded, having considered this as well. "Henry wants me dead."This was why she had her brother stay abroad and sent Leo to the Bishops. With only herself remaining, it was harder for Henry to use her loved ones against her."Take care of yourse
Celeste's deduction was correct. Cedric intentionally left the mark. As Winston dug deeper, he slowly uncovered a series of issues.It was a bridge project on a highway in a poor mountainous area. Not uncommon.The problem was that the person in charge of this project was a leader assigned from a first-tier city to oversee the development. Officially, he was recognised for his capabilities, but in reality, this task was one he had to succeed in without failure.He had offended someone, and this transfer was a disguised punishment under the guise of a major responsibility.If he had managed it well, the chances of him returning to a higher development role would have been slim. At best, he could stay in this position until retirement. If he didn't manage it well, his entire career could be ruined.Someone of such status naturally had supporters as well as opponents. In such a situation, it was impossible for anyone to sabotage and create pitfalls along the way."It seems the next