Thorns Grow After Betrayal (Celeste and Chester) novel Chapter 230

Celestine gave a crooked smile, tapping a finger to her temple. “People can do as they please, but someone is always watching.”

Carmen scowled, her brows knitting together. “What’s that supposed to mean? Don’t tell me you believe in that old superstitious nonsense.”

Celestine simply raised a hand and turned Carmen toward the entryway. Above the door, fixed in the corner, a security camera stared down at them. “Sorry, but the night it happened, I made sure to get copies of all the footage from the building manager. Would you like me to jog your memory?”

Always leave yourself a lifeline. That was the harshest lesson Celestine had learned from the Selwyn and Fordham families alike.

Carmen’s eyes widened in panic. “That’s impossible! That camera was broken for a month!”

“So you’re admitting it, then?” Celestine’s voice was calm.

Only now did Carmen realize she’d walked right into a trap.

The crowd gathered nearby—who had just been murmuring in support of Carmen—now glanced at her with suspicion.

Carmen gritted her teeth. “Celestine, ever heard of mercy? You should let things go when you can!”

“If you can turn your back on your own children, who knows what you’re capable of?”

Celestine nodded. “Miss Carmen, your kindness is truly remarkable.”

Carmen gave a cold, bitter laugh. “Don’t try to butter me up.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You must have heard by now—your design sketches were stolen and auctioned off for half a million.”

Carmen practically jumped. “What did you say?! Who would dare steal my designs?”

It must have happened when she left Kismet Collective in such a rush—maybe she’d forgotten to take her sketches!

But Celestine stayed silent, letting the tension hang.

Carmen, growing frantic, spat out, “Damn it, just say it already, you little—!”

“Why so anxious, Miss Carmen?” Celestine’s tone was almost playful. “Weren’t you the one preaching about letting things go?”

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