The project manager–someone Celeste had only met briefly–walked in, flanked by his team, still chatting away.
“Of course we know the scale of Nova International. For this collaboration, we’re hoping for a thorough discussion…” He stopped mid–sentence, eyes widening as he caught sight of Celeste. “Wait, what are you doing here?”
He stared at her in disbelief. Why had his assistant put her in this room?
Celeste started to explain, but as she looked up, her gaze met Philip’s.
Why won’t he just leave me alone?
She frowned, immediately standing up. “I’ll find somewhere else to rest. You gentlemen carry on.”
Move Mr. Alfred’s woman out of the room? The project manager felt panic rising. If he made a single wrong move, he’d be out of a job.
He quickly turned to his assistant. “Miss Duncan can stay here and rest. Wade, take Mr. Robertson to the meeting room next door. Mr. Robertson, let’s talk business privately.”
“I’m not leaving.” Philip stepped closer to Celeste, his eyes locked on the diamond ring on her finger, gaze cold and sharp.
Celeste had refused his engagement/ring, but she wore Alfred’s without hesitation?
And now she was standing here, right in the middle of the Hopkins Group?
“If you won’t leave, then I will.” Celeste felt prickles of unease under his stare and tried to brush past him.
But his hand caught her wrist–gently, but firmly.
Not again-
This time Celeste managed to twist away before he could grab hold, glaring at him. “You’re here for business. What are you trying to pull?”
“What am I trying to pull?” Philip’s anger flared as he spun back to face her, eyes burning. “You’re the one causing trouble! Didn’t I tell you Alfred’s already married? Why are you still tangled up with him?”
At his words, the project manager hastily slammed the door shut.
1/2
21:58
What in the world is going on? Mr. Alfred is married? Then who is this woman? she knows Phillp, too?
This is definitely something the staff outside shouldn’t hear.
Celeste’s head throbbed from Philip’s accusations. “Why don’t you focus on your Nova International mess for once?”
Philip let out a bitter laugh. “Don’t you realize the Hopkins family never lets outsiders in? You’re throwing yourself at him, but you’ll never be more than a mistress, Celeste! Is that what you want–for the rest of your life?”
The last words hung in the air.
Celeste’s hand froze on the door handle. Mistress…
She’d spent years with Philip, never even a hint of marriage. He’d been sweet and attentive at home, but in public, rarely even mentioned her name. How was that any different from being kept a secret?
Yet Alfred–despite their arranged marriage–had wrapped an arm around her in front of everyone yesterday, introducing her openly as his wife.
Thirteen years of love, and even her fiancé treated her with less respect than a business partner.
And Philip still had the nerve to judge her?
While she wrestled with her thoughts, Philip misread her silence and pressed on, emboldened.
“Celly, I’ll say it again. If you come to your senses, you can come back to me anytime-”
Before he could finish, Celeste spun on her heel and strode toward him.
Philip’s face lit up. Celly’s finally coming back to me-
A split second later, Celeste’s stiletto smashed into his shin, shattering his fantasy.
“Celeste!” Philip staggered/pain clouding his vision, fury radiating from him.
Celeste steadied herself, ignoring the project manager’s gasp of shock, and spoke in a voice as cold as ice
21:
