Thorns Grow After Betrayal (Celeste and Chester) novel Chapter 262

“No need to trouble yourself.”

Crystal Lennox’s disappointment was almost palpable.

She remembered when Carmen had first interviewed—her portfolio barely scraped the industry standard. Yet Carmen had pleaded for a chance, promising she’d work twice as hard. Crystal had wanted to give a young talent a shot, mentoring her personally, helping her grow little by little. Carmen had her quirks, but nothing unmanageable.

Over the years, Carmen had been paid better than anyone else at Kismet Collective, with the best benefits the company offered.

But ever since Celestine returned, Carmen had crossed every line, time after time—stooping to underhanded tricks that Crystal found inexcusable.

A person could lack talent, Crystal thought, but not conscience.

Her eyes hardened. Carmen, meanwhile, seemed unimpressed—certain Crystal was just bluffing. Let them try to act tough now, she thought. When the results were announced, they’d be the ones in tears.

“Well, I’ll just wait and see, then,” Carmen reassured herself, and a smug smile crept onto her lips.

“They’re back!”

Someone near the door spotted Lisa hurrying in, a bright blue file folder in hand.

Lisa didn’t pause; she made a beeline for Celestine.

“Apologies, Miss Selwyn. There was a clerical error by one of our staff—your submission was accidentally left off the register. But the team loved your design. It’s been rated as an S-tier piece. Regardless of whether you advance in the competition, The Prescott Group will be offering you a contract. Would you be interested?”

Carmen’s smile froze.

Impossible.

Before Celestine could even respond, Carmen leapt in, voice sharp: “There must be some mistake! If the design was so amazing, how could no one remember it? How could it just be ‘overlooked’?”

Lisa’s eyes flicked over her, cold and unimpressed. “And you are…?”

Lisa had personally checked Celestine’s entry, double-checked with every team member. Yet not a single one recalled seeing that sunrise piece.

Which only made things more suspicious.

When people are continually prompted about something, even if their memories are foggy, some vague impression usually lingers—not total denial. Which meant someone was lying.

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