Thorns Grow After Betrayal (Celeste and Chester) novel Chapter 245

Carr slapped himself, each smack ringing out loud and clear.

Celestine didn’t even flinch.

She gathered her things and calmly left the mediation room.

The three of them may have had a legitimate reason to enter the neighborhood, but breaking into someone’s apartment was a different story—especially for Paula and Carr, whose actions were downright egregious.

There was no way they were getting out of this without doing time.

On the way back, Celestine slid into Gideon’s car. She thanked him, then suddenly added, “Oh, right. Let me transfer the money to you.”

Gideon had just paid several times the average rent, all to make a point on her behalf.

He arched an eyebrow, his gray eyes catching the light with a hint of mischief. Reaching one long arm behind her headrest, he drawled, “What’s the rush, Miss Selwyn? Are you planning to use me and toss me aside?”

Celestine’s face fell. “That’s not what I meant.”

She remembered—back then, the boy she knew never had such a sharp tongue.

Gideon chuckled, letting her off the hook. “My grandfather’s heading overseas with my brother and his wife soon. Cynthia Prescott will be staying here.”

Celestine’s eyes lit up at once.

Seeing her interest, Gideon continued, “She doesn’t eat much, comes home from school on her own, just needs someone to keep an eye on her and cook two meals a day. Miss Selwyn, could you take her in for a while? The fifty grand can be her room and board.”

“Absolutely!” Celestine’s smile was radiant.

She’d worried Gideon would take the money and never move in. But now, with Cynthia staying, her anxiety faded—this was the perfect solution, better than she could have hoped for.

Gideon clenched his jaw, a wry edge to his grin.

So the little one could stay, but not him. Typical.

…

Hospital.

“How’d you end up like this? And in your own bar, no less?” Chester dropped onto the couch, staring in disbelief at Lance, who lay battered in the hospital bed.

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