Neither of them realized that their simple gestures hadn’t gone unnoticed, the whole scene was perfectly clear to everyone else around.
Philip stopped in his tracks, his eyes fixed on Celeste with a piercing intensity.
Just last night, he’d gotten a call from his father: Hopkins Group was planning to develop a new mall in Silvercrest, and he was told to come back and handle it. No sooner had he landed and ducked into a nearby restaurant than he caught sight of Alfred–of all people–accompanying Celeste.
Why couldn’t she just listen for once?
Fuming, Philip shook off Viola’s hand. She startled, reaching out to grab him again.
“Philip! What’s wrong-?”
But Philip didn’t even look back. He stormed off, leaving Viola standing there in disbelief as she watched him march straight toward Celeste, her expression turning cold as ice. What was Celeste doing back in Silvercrest? Like some ghost that refuses to leave.
A moment later, Philip was already in front of Celeste.
She was heading toward the lounge when she looked up and found herself face–to–face with Philip’s furious glare.
“Why are you still tangled up with Alfred?” His voice was sharp, accusing.
Of all people to run into–just her luck.
Celeste’s brows drew together. “And who do you think you are? Do I owe you an explanation for who I spend my time with?”
Viola hurried up, feigning innocence. “Celeste, Philip’s just worried you’ll get hurt. He’s always looked out for you. If someone took advantage of you…”
“Maybe he should worry about himself getting played first.” Celeste’s lips curled into a mocking smile, her gaze landing squarely on Viola.
After all, the real liar was someone else entirely.
Viola shifted uncomfortably under Celeste’s stare, lips pressed tight as she looked
away.
“Philip knows how to tell the truth from a lie,” she muttered, though her voice lacked conviction.
1/2
21:58
Celeste just raised a brow. “Easy to miss what’s right under your nose. Funny, isn’t It? A guy with chronic asthma, in and out of the hospital, but still has the energy to chase after a big shot like Alfred every day? Sick or not–Philip’s no doctor. How would he even know?”
Viola was left speechless, unable to muster a single word in response.
Philip, seeing Viola’s distress, stepped in. “That’s enough! Don’t take it out on Viola. I’m worried about you. Instead of being Alfred’s mistress, why not come back to me? You-”
“No need.” Celeste cut him off coldly, her tone icy. “All I want is for you to stop barging into my life and ruining my peace.”
Philip grabbed her wrist, voice low and urgent. “You think a ruthless man like Alfred is any good? He’s married, Celeste, and still stringing you along! And the Hopkins family–do you think you can just waltz into their world? When he dumps you, you won’t even know what hit you!”
He rattled on, convinced he had laid out the facts so plainly Celeste would finally give up.
But Celeste just looked back at him, cool and unflinching, every word deliberate. “I
want to.”
Philip’s pupils contracted in shock.
Anger welled up inside him, but for once, he was at a loss for words.
Celeste tried to pull her wrist free, anxious that Alfred would return and misunderstand. She turned toward Viola instead, her gaze dropping–catching sight of the ring on Viola’s finger. It was unmistakable: the exact same engagement ring Philip had once given her.
A chill spread through Celeste’s chest.
How absurd.
The ring he’d once offered her, now gracing Viola’s hand as if it meant nothing.
Clearly, Philip was never worth her trust.
Fueled by that bitter realization, Celeste let her words cut deeper.
“That ring you’re wearing,” she said, her voice sharp, “is identical to the one Philip used when he proposed to me.”
01:50
Cha
Viola’s eyes flew open in shock.
