Thorns Grow After Betrayal (Celeste and Chester) novel Chapter 161

Celestine glanced back just in time to catch a glimpse of a woman chasing after two figures, all three vanishing around the corner at the end of the hallway.

Suddenly, she remembered who she'd spotted earlier.

Gideon and Vernon.

He was staying at the same hotel as her?

Celestine had never been one for extravagance when it came to accommodations. As long as the place was clean, comfortable, and—most importantly—quiet, she was content. So whenever she wasn't spending the night at the Fordham estate, she always booked a simple, no-frills hotel for herself.

Running into Gideon here was the last thing she'd expected.

The woman's silhouette—petite, delicate, with an unmistakable air of privilege—lingered in Celestine's mind.

Could that be the mysterious darling Mr. Shield had been hiding away all this time?

Celestine felt like she'd just stumbled onto some juicy gossip. Her imagination instantly supplied a few scandalous scenarios.

So he had a sweet tooth for dainty girls, did he?

Just goes to show, people really do surprise you.

Almost as if he had read her mind, her phone buzzed with a message from the man himself.

[Gideon]: Where are you?

The shock almost made her drop her phone.

Speak of the devil, and he'll text you? Wasn't just saying his name enough—now even thinking about him could summon him?

She hesitated for a moment before replying.

[Celestine]: Not at the hotel. Stepped out to pick up a few things.

Gideon stared at her response for a long moment, a knowing smirk curling at the corners of his lips.

Little liar. Every time she tried to fib, she somehow managed to reveal the truth instead. He honestly couldn't tell if she did it on purpose or not.

Vernon caught the lovestruck smile on Gideon's face and didn't need to ask who the message was from. It was obvious: Miss Selwyn, as usual.

But right now, the two of them were holed up in the emergency stairwell, pressed against the door—not exactly the best moment for romance.

"Sir, Miss Jenson is still waiting for us out there…" Vernon mustered up the courage to share the grim news.

Gideon's smile faded. "In that case, I'm afraid I'll have to sacrifice you again."

Vernon's face instantly fell.

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