Thorns Grow After Betrayal (Celeste and Chester) novel Chapter 104

Celestine couldn't dissociate herself from any of this.

After Mirabelle changed into her red carpet gown, Celestine kept a close eye on her friend's mood, constantly checking for any sign of distress.

Mirabelle gave her skirt a playful tug and laughed. "Celly, don't get so worked up. Things like this are bound to happen eventually. That's just how this industry is—everyone loves to jump on the bandwagon. The minute you stumble, there's a line of people waiting to trample over you."

She said it with an airy nonchalance, as if the whole affair barely scratched the surface of her heart.

But Celestine knew better. The bitterness behind those words was something only the person living it could truly understand.

What Celestine couldn't fathom was how someone as sharp, independent, and successful as Mirabelle could still be entangled with a man like Zeke.

When her scandal broke, Zeke—her supposed boyfriend—didn't say a single word in her defense. He even took advantage of the uproar to distance himself further, making her fall look even harder.

Celestine refused to believe Mirabelle hadn't noticed.

And yet, whenever Zeke was mentioned, Mirabelle's attitude became almost painfully humble, just as the tabloids described—like a woman hopelessly blinded by love.

It was the twenty-first century, after all. There were plenty of ways for a woman to repay a favor—sleeping with someone shouldn't have to be one of them.

"Mirabelle, do you actually love Zeke?" Celestine asked quietly.

A flicker of amusement danced in Mirabelle's eyes. "Why bring him up now? I just… settled."

Celestine didn't say anything, still searching Mirabelle's face for something more.

Mirabelle's lips curled into a small, wry smile. "Alright, fine. Maybe I did have some real feelings for him. He's Young Master Sterling, after all. Being with him in this business means no one dumb enough to cross him would dare mess with me."

She paused, her tone light but edged with meaning. "It keeps the creeps and the backroom deals at bay. That's a good enough reason, isn't it?"

Celestine nodded, half convinced. Still, she sensed there was something deeper Mirabelle wasn't saying. But she wasn't going to pry into her friend's secrets. If Mirabelle didn't want to talk, she wasn't going to push.

Meanwhile, Denton chose to have their PR team ride out the storm without releasing any statements, despite mounting pressure.

The red carpet event had already begun.

Joanna, tonight's media darling, had her walk time stretched from the usual five minutes to well over twenty.

She stepped onto the carpet in a stunning sponsor's red strapless gown, her long hair swept up in an elegant chignon. Her makeup was as soft and classic as ever, the whole look perfectly polished—almost too perfect.

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