Thorns Grow After Betrayal (Celeste and Chester) novel Chapter 278

Celestine’s gaze darkened.

How much longer was Joanna going to keep up this act?

Without so much as a glance in Joanna’s direction, Celestine quietly sipped her freshly poured drink, refusing to acknowledge her.

But Joanna, undeterred, pressed on. “Celly, are you still upset? I really don’t know what I did wrong, but if you just tell me, I promise I’ll change. I’ll do anything you want—just, please, forgive me.”

She sounded utterly contrite, shrinking herself as if begging for mercy.

Celestine had chosen a secluded seat—out of the way, hardly anyone passing by. The air around them was cool, almost desolate.

She watched Joanna’s little performance in silence, her expression unreadable.

Lance took in the scene, frustration and pity warring inside him.

If Joanna hadn’t insisted, he would never have tolerated Celestine’s attitude. Who did she think she was, acting so high and mighty? Without Chester, she was just an orphan with nothing to her name.

He’d seen the results from yesterday’s Prescott Group auditions. Sure, her work had a spark of talent, but she was nowhere near his level. These years he’d spent honing his craft abroad had not been wasted.

As Celestine’s silence stretched on, growing colder by the second, Lance finally snapped. “Miss Selwyn, Joanna’s being sincere. She truly wants to fix things between you. I think you two should sit down and talk this out.”

Celestine lifted her eyes and regarded him coolly. “Fine,” she said at last, voice measured.

Joanna’s face brightened in hope.

But then Celestine added, “You said you’d do anything I want?”

Joanna nodded, eager. “Anything.”

“Then be my lapdog for life.”

A flush of shame and hurt spread across Joanna’s face. “Celly, do you really have to be like this?”

“There’s a second option.” Celestine set down her glass, her smile razor-sharp.

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