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