Thorns Grow After Betrayal (Celeste and Chester) novel Chapter 246

Lance’s tone was unusually urgent.

His hands moved even faster, snatching the apple away before Joanna could react.

When he noticed her surprised look, he masked his agitation with a calm smile. “Don’t let it go to waste. I’ll eat it in a bit.”

“Oh, okay.” Joanna eyed the apple again, something about the moment feeling off.

As Chester stepped out to take a call, she seized the opportunity. “Lance, isn’t Celly coming today?”

Lance paused mid-peel. “No, she’s not. Pushing too hard would only raise her suspicions.”

“I… I know,” Joanna replied, her gaze dropping, sadness flickering in her eyes. “If that hadn’t happened, we wouldn’t have to bother you like this. Sometimes I wish I could turn back time, go back six years, when things were simple and everyone was happy.”

Lance’s hands stilled. He set the apple down.

“Joanna, none of this is your fault.”

Tears slid down Joanna’s cheeks, but she brushed them away without a second thought. “It’s alright, Lance. Chester’s already working on it. Once those videos are all erased, you won’t have to keep doing things you hate.”

Lance shook his head softly, his gaze growing even more tender. “Chester has his way, and I have mine. Compared to Celestine, you’re still far too innocent. No matter what happens, I’m not letting her walk away from this so easily.”

He hadn’t forgotten a single thing from the past.

Joanna was the only woman he’d ever wanted to protect.

Once Celestine was divorced, her reputation—well, that was something she never deserved in the first place.

If she really refused to settle down, he’d tell Chester to leave her an apartment and some money. As long as she kept her head down, it’d be enough for her to live out the rest of her life.

Lance turned away, placing the bruised apple back on the nightstand.

…

Chester took a call from his assistant.

Celestine’s apartment had already been rented out.

“How did she react?” Chester asked, his tone unreadable.

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