Chapter 22 Younger Brother
Everly glanced at the clock. “She should be back soon. With her nature, she wouldn’t let herself stay hungry.”
Celeste knew Briar well enough to understand she’d be home by now. “That’s true.”
“Ms. Hartley, why don’t you have something to eat first?” Everly guided her to the dining room.
In the opulent dining area, Celeste took a seat and glanced at the beef on the table. It reminded her that Nathaniel used to enjoy this dish, too.
She paused with her fork mid–air, thinking, “Why am I thinking about that cold–hearted man again? Ugh, how long will it take to forget him?”
Celeste lowered her gaze, hiding the tumultuous emotions in her eyes.
After a bite of the richly flavored beef, her taste buds were satisfied.
Everly’s attention to nutrition in her cooking was impeccable. Just as Celeste finished her meal, Briar burst through the door.
Chapter 22 Younger Brother
2/5
She walked into the room, her voice filled with urgency. “Boss, I went to the police station. Candy wouldn’t say much. She only claimed it was all her doing and that she was very disappointed for not framing you successfully.
“Seriously? How brazen can she be? She’s got the nerve to frame others and then act so self–righteous. What a piece of work!”
Briar sat down across from Celeste, who was deep in thought.
Celeste thought, “Candy must have some serious reason for all this.”
“Boss, I’ve got Candy’s background here. She has a mother and a younger brother who’s suffering from uremia and currently in the hospital.”
“Oh!” Celeste took the file and glanced through it.
She closed the file and asked, “Have you been to the hospital to check?”
Briar pounded the table. “Yes, I went. Apparently, they’ve found a kidney donor and raised the funds needed. Just a day ago, someone deposited a million dollars into Candy’s
account.
Chapter 22 Younger Brother
“Boss, there’s definitely something fishy going on here.”
3/5
Celeste’s gaze grew pensive. “Hmm. It’s quite a coincidence. that, right after she tries to frame me, someone comes to her aid while she still chooses to kick me when I’m down.
“Briar, continue the investigation tomorrow. Find out who gave her the money. If you can’t find out, let Candy know that if she doesn’t reveal the mastermind, we’ll use her brother to pressure her.”
Celeste was never one to turn the other cheek. She repaid actions in kind.
Briar was thrilled, thinking, “Now this is what makes life exciting. That woman knows how to act and frame others- does she think we can’t do the same?”
“Got it, boss. I’ll dig deeper tomorrow. If soft tactics don’t work, we’ll get tough. We need to find out who’s behind this. Just because her words are sharp doesn’t mean our methods can’t be sharper.”
Briar grinned cunningly.
Celeste smiled back, enjoying the banter with her.
At eight that evening, Briar accompanied Celeste to the Kinston Hotel.
Chapter 22 Younger Brother
By then, attendees were trickling in.
4/5
As they entered the grand, glittering hall, Briar suddenly complained of a stomachache and needed to use the restroom. Celeste told Briar to go ahead while she waited in the lobby.
The event tonight was drawing a crowd of a thousand business representatives from across the country, many of whom were distinguished entrepreneurs.
Celeste had already selected five projects to focus on. Her presence was more of a formality, with Landry handling the arrangements.
Just as she was about to find a seat, she turned and saw Nathaniel and Madelynn.
Nathaniel and Madelynn strolled into the room, decked out in their high–fashion couple’s attire. Their closeness was like a punch to the gut for Celeste. Her heart clenched painfully, and she quickly looked down, her back stiffening with tension.
Madelynn spotted Celeste and thought, “What right does she have to be here?
This is an exclusive event for top–notch entrepreneurs.
Chapter 22 Younger Brother
Even I’m only here because of Nathaniel.”
5/5
Unable to contain her surprise, Madelynn asked, “Ms. Hartley,
what are you doing here?”
