Thorns Grow After Betrayal (Celeste and Chester) novel Chapter 167

"You flatter me, Miss Langley." Celestine hefted the gift bag with a graceful smile, glancing back over her shoulder. "There's nothing calculating about paying for what you love. Honestly, you're incredible—I can't help but envy you."

"Celestine! Just you wait!" Elena shrieked, pounding her cane furiously against the floor.

The sales associate shrank further into the corner, desperately willing her face not to betray the grin tugging at her lips.

As soon as Celestine stepped out of the boutique, her smile faded.

Chester's charm always seemed to attract admirers out of nowhere. Over the years, there had been countless women like Elena—entitled, persistent, convinced the world owed them something. And for the sake of the Fordham family's reputation, Celestine had endured it all.

But if someone insisted on dancing right in her minefield, she had no reason to keep playing nice.

She waited for the elevator, and a group of leggy, glamorous models emerged, chattering excitedly.

"Oh my God, Mr. Fordham is just the perfect gentleman! Why can't I ever meet a guy like that?"

"I know, right? The minute Miss Sinclair so much as glanced at something, he bought up the whole collection! He's like a storybook hero—rich, handsome, and completely devoted."

"I bet he dropped at least a million today, and that's not even counting the custom jewelry for Miss Sinclair!"

"Ugh, all the good men are already taken! Still, I'm not complaining—if only more generous patrons like him came along."

Their laughter and gossip faded as they strutted away.

Celestine stood frozen, lost in thought. It was strange how different the truth could sound, depending on whose lips told it.

Joanna could betray Chester in the worst way, and yet he'd still love her, forgive her, spoil her. A million dollars was nothing to him—just a few dresses for Joanna. Meanwhile, Celestine was left to handle the fallout of Chester's reckless affections.

She blinked hard, trying to disguise the burning in her eyes, but the ache in her chest refused to dissipate.

In all her years married to Chester, she'd only ever asked him for money once: a diamond to embellish her wedding gown.

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