Thorns Grow After Betrayal (Celeste and Chester) novel Chapter 194

Although the Fordham family worked swiftly to suppress news of Chester fighting with the reporter, rumors still spread like wildfire among the city's tight-knit elite.

Even though Luther was miles away from Portside City, a sense of foreboding had already taken root. When Pete failed to reach Celestine as well, Luther wasted no time; he set off for Portside City that very night.

The hospital room door swung open. Luther entered, stooped with age, fatigue carved deep into the lines of his weathered face.

His eyes swept over Chester, who was sprawled on the floor, before he cut straight to the point. "Alistair, I want the truth. The person who fell into the sea—was it my Celly?"

Alistair hadn't expected Luther to come all this way, not at this hour. In recent years, Luther Selwyn's health had been steadily declining; long trips were out of the question. Not even Alistair's personal invitations could lure him from his estate—he'd always refused, citing his frail condition.

But now, Luther had crossed half the country for one reason only: Celestine's whereabouts.

Alistair lay propped up on the hospital bed, tears streaming down his wrinkled cheeks. He lowered his head in shame. "Mr. Selwyn, it's the Fordham family who failed you. We failed Celly."

The words struck Luther like a blow. His sturdy composure faltered, and clarity vanished from his eyes, leaving them clouded and lost.

Pete, who'd helped his grandfather into the room, saw that the old man, who'd forced himself to stay strong throughout the journey, was now trembling uncontrollably.

Alistair hadn't said it outright, but the meaning was clear. All these days, it was Celestine the Fordhams had been frantically searching for in those cold, restless waters.

"Chester, why the hell couldn't it have been you?" Pete exploded, lashing out with a brutal kick to Chester's side.

Chester gritted his teeth and kept silent, refusing to give Pete the satisfaction of a reaction, enduring the blows as they rained down.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify