Anyone born into old money could spot the traces of insecurity clinging to Viola, no matter how hard she tried to hide them.
No amount of flattery would help her case.
Mrs. Robertson didn’t like her, and there was no chance she’d ever accept Viola.
The arrival of Celeste shifted all of Mrs. Robertson’s ire to a new target.
“What a fool,” she sneered, her voice sharp and cold. “Can’t even keep your own man in check and you let some gold–digger waltz right in.”
Philip quickly stepped in front of Viola, shielding her with his body. His tone was icy, commanding respect.
“Viola isn’t some gold–digger. She’s my friend. Please, Aunt, watch your language.” Celeste couldn’t help but recall the first time she’d visited the Robertson estate.
She hadn’t even made it to the front door before Philip pulled her aside, quietly begging her not to argue with his family, to just endure for the sake of their future.
It made sense–back then, he was just the newly acknowledged illegitimate son.
But now, he was the undisputed heir to the Robertson fortune.,
He could finally protect the people he wanted to protect.
Viola clung timidly to Philip’s hand, her eyes wide with excitement and adoration, as if he were some kind of hero.
“Philip, I’m sorry for causing trouble.”
Philip felt a deep satisfaction at her words, but his gaze drifted almost unconsciously to Celeste.
All he saw was her delicate face, stubborn and indifferent.
He’d spoiled her terribly–she never knew when to back down, never learned to compromise.
If she was upset, she’d simply shut him out, her expression cold and distant.
She always had to get the last word, never mind whose house this was.
Did she really think she could always have her way here?
1/2
15:10 1
Cece, stay with Viola for a bit, will you? I’ll be back soon.
He gently pulled his hand from Viola’s grasp and headed upstairs to his study,
Mrs. Robertson reclined on the sofa with perfect poise, draped in elegance and wealth, but her arched brows betrayed a haughty disdain.
“Celeste, I really underestimated you. For the sake of marrying into this family, you certainly know how to eat your pride.”
Celeste had no interest in trading barbs with her.
“You’re exaggerating, Aunt. I’ll just go cook something for Grandpa.”
She rolled up her sleeves and slipped into the kitchen.
She figured a meal was the least she could do as a thank–you; after today, she’d have nothing more to do with the Robertsons.
Viola instinctively wanted to follow, but after a quick glance around, she stopped herself.
One day, she’d be the lady of this house–no way was she going to lower herself by hanging around the kitchen like the hired help.
Celeste was in the middle of sautéing her third dish when a deafening slap rang out from the living room, followed by Viola’s shrill, desperate scream.
She dashed out, spatula still in hand.
But someone else was faster–a figure flew down the stairs and scooped Viola’s limp body into his arms.
“Aunt, what are you doing?” Philip demanded, his voice tight with anger.
Philip’s father came down the stairs as well, steadying the old man as they descended. Both men looked grim.
Mrs. Robertson threw a gift box onto the floor, her voice trembling with rage.
“Philip, I may not be your birth mother, but I am your elder. If you bring friends to dinner, it’s only right that I welcome them. But what’s the meaning of giving me a fake gift? Are you mocking me–implying that I don’t deserve the Robertson name?”
Philip’s father had only married her for the sake of a business alliance.
There’d never been much affection between them.
1510
Worse, shuld only given him a daughter, while his mistress had given birth y Potter tom Philly was the CEO of the Robertson Group–the one everyone looked wi
Behind closed doors, the other society wives whispered that it was only a matter of Kime before the lost her place as Mrs. Robertson
So when Viola tried to palm off a counterfeit on her, how could she not be furious?
Viola, her check red and swollen, cowered in Philip’s arms, trembling with fear “Philip, I swear, I didn’t know That was the gift you gave me–l picked the most expensive one. I would never. I didnt know it was fake”
She’d been thrilled just to be muited to the estate, shed agonized over which off jewelry to bring hoping to impress
Celeste glanced at the shattered jade bracelet on the floor
She’d seen it before, tucked away in Philip’s safere piece he’d bought at auction, along with a matching grown, saying it was for their wedding someday
Worse, she’d only given him a daughter, while his mistress had given birth
Now Philip was the CEO of the Robertson Group the one everyone looked to
Behind closed doors, the other society wives whispered that it was only a matter o time before she lost her place as Mrs. Robertson.
So when Viola tried to palm off a counterfeit on her, how could she not be furious?
Viola, her cheek red and swollen, cowered in Philip’s arms, trembling with fear.
“Philip, I swear, I didn’t know. That was the gift you gave me–I picked the most expensive one. I would never… I didn’t know it was fake.”
She’d been thrilled just to be invited to the estate; she’d agonized over which piece of jewelry to bring, hoping to impress.
Celeste glanced at the shattered jade bracelet on the floor.
She’d seen it before, tucked away in Philip’s safe–a piece he’d bought at auction, along with a matching crown, saying it was for their wedding someday.
