Chapter 6

Winston's face tensed. He thought for a moment, took Celia's hand, and spoke gently. "Sophie's manager came by and said her family is in a tough spot, Cece. She can't cover the liquidated damages.

"Let's keep her as the brand ambassador for this quarter. Next quarter, we'll replace her right away. Alright?"

A chill ran through Celia. In the end, he still wouldn't cut Sophie loose.

She bit her lip and gave him a bitter smile. "Do whatever you want."

She pushed him away and lay down. "I'm tired. I want to sleep."

Winston didn't push it. He knew what had happened today had hurt her. Guilt rose in him. Once again, he drew her into a tight back-hug and told himself he would make things right.

…

The next day, Winston cleared his whole schedule for Celia. He took care of everything, no matter how big or small. Even so, she didn't waver or soften her stance.

She headed to work as usual. It was shoot day. The moment she stepped into the in-house studio, the noise grated on her ears. Heavy metal was blasting from the speakers.

Winston slid an arm around her and frowned. "Keep it down. Celia's sensitive to noise."

The windows were wide open, and pollen drifted in with the gentle breeze.

Knowing Celia's sinuses could act up, he told the crew, "Close the windows."

Everyone could see how Winston doted on her. It had always been that way. Even if Celia so much as frowned, he would be able to tell what it meant.

Only now, she felt nothing. She just didn't have it in her to play along.

"They're about to start the shoot. I'm heading in."

Winston brushed his thumb across Celia's palm. "Go on. I'll wait outside."

She forced a smile, but it vanished the second she turned away. Keeping up with her, Elle pushed open the studio door and gave her a quick rundown.

Just then, a warm voice drifted in. "Don't cry, babe. I'll stay with you and make it up to you when I'm done, okay? I know I hurt you last time. I ran my mouth. I swear it won't happen again!"

It was Winston. No one would catch it unless they were really listening.

Celia's expression darkened, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. He'd sworn it wouldn't happen again, yet not even 12 hours later, Sophie was already rubbing it in her face.

Celia stopped and glanced over. Sophie was on the couch, teasing a cat with her fingers. "Cece, doesn't Daddy sound nice? He's staying with us tonight. Aren't you happy?"

Cece?

Elle had a quick temper, especially when it came to Celia. She stormed over. "Ms. Hart, we're on the clock. Why'd you bring a cat? And what did you just call it?"

Sophie curled her lip, scratched the Ragdoll under the chin, and then shot Celia a sly look. "Ms. Weller, Cece's really sweet. See? She'll let anyone fuss over her. She won't ruin the shoot. You can relax."

Elle's brows drew together. "How dare you!"

Celia stepped in calmly and met Sophie's gaze.

Sophie smiled. "My boyfriend got me this cat. He thought I'd get lonely, so she stays with me. I was worried she'd get into trouble at home, so I brought her with me. You're not the petty type. You won't mind, will you?"

Boyfriend?

It was Winston.

Celia could hear the smugness in Sophie's voice. She was hitting Celia where it hurt most on purpose.

Celia loved cats, but Winston was a germaphobe. He couldn't handle a pet at home, so she never got one, no matter how badly she wanted to.

When he found out, he'd turned all mushy. He'd pulled her close and told her she was thoughtful. But now he'd gone and gotten Sophie a cat.

Celia trembled. Even her breath quivered.

Sophie never missed a chance to needle her. She stood with the Ragdoll in her arms. "I heard you love cats, but Mr. Lowe never got you one. Want to hold her?"

Celia narrowed her eyes at the cat. Her voice remained icy. "You're good with names, Ms. Hart. 'Cece' does have a nice ring to it. The cat's pretty and very well-behaved, but her owner doesn't deserve her. She's not exactly sharp and is way too full of herself.

"I don't care how other companies run things. You signed with our company, so you'll follow our rules. Now take the cat out and get to work!"

Sophie turned pale, flushed with humiliation, then paled all over again. She'd expected Celia to explode, but her own words had ended up blowing up in her face instead.

"That was so satisfying. Did you see Sophie's face?"

"I'm over that princess act. She doesn't know her place and still throws her weight around in front of Ms. Weller."

Murmurs rippled through the room. Sophie's expression darkened like a storm rolling in.

Celia gave her a cold once-over and a short laugh. "If you've got a problem with that, go ahead and breach the contract. I'm still waiting on that 30 million dollars in liquidated damages."

Sophie's face soured. As she carried the cat out without a word, laughter broke across the room.

…

They had wrapped up the shoot, but Celia was still going over things with the photographer.

Just then, someone rushed over. "Ms. Weller, this is bad..."

Celia hurried to the restroom to find Sophie and Elle mid-argument. Sophie's hand was already up, aimed at Elle's cheek.

Celia's voice cut cold. "Stop!"

Sophie didn't back off. She slapped Elle hard. Elle had started it earlier, and now Sophie wanted payback.

Elle swore and slapped her right back.

Sophie gasped. Her cheek swelled and flared red on the spot. She staggered and fell, her head cracking against the marble wall.

Celia and Elle froze.

"What's going on?"

Winston's voice came from behind Celia, tight with anger. When he saw Sophie crumpled on the floor, his stomach dropped.

Her eyes glistened. She glanced up at him, and the tears streaked down her face. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have talked back to Ms. Ledger. It won't happen again."

Like always, she'd teared up and pointed the finger at someone else.

Celia's brows pulled together, and her hands curled into fists.

Winston met Sophie's teary gaze, feeling a sharp pang. He almost stepped in, then stopped himself for Celia's sake. He told Daniel to help Sophie up instead.

Winston looked at Elle, his gaze icing over. "You slapped her and still won't apologize? She's Lowe Group's brand ambassador. What were you thinking?

"If this gets out, the company's name will be dragged through the mud. Apologize to her, or I'll have to follow policy and fire you!"

Most days, he was easygoing, but once he lost his temper, his presence turned razor-sharp. His innate authority instilled fear in people.

Elle went pale, but the thought of apologizing to that bitch felt like swallowing garbage. It made her sick.

Celia couldn't watch another second. She tapped Winston's arm, calling out to him.

Sophie brushed away her tears and choked out, "It's okay, Mr. Lowe. I'm just a D-list nobody. Being looked down on and slapped comes with the territory. I'm fine. Please don't get into it with Ms. Weller because of me."

Winston's chest tightened even more at that.

He took Celia's hand and softened his voice. "Cece, stop covering for Elle. If we don't settle this today and the news leaks out, Lowe Group will take the hit. Just listen to me on this, okay?"

Celia's plea never made it past her lips. She just stared at him as a sharp, unbearable pain cut through her chest.

What a convenient excuse. Lowe Group's reputation? He just couldn't stand seeing his precious mistress slighted.

He should take a long, hard look in the mirror to see what he'd turned into now that his heart had moved on.

Celia drew a slow breath, and only then did the stabbing ache ease. She slipped her hand free and tugged Elle behind her, putting herself between them. Elle was still trembling.

Then Celia pulled out her phone and shot Sophie a cold side-eye. Sophie was off to the side, sobbing.

"Oh, I happened to snap a few shots earlier. If I post them online, they'll blow up for sure," Celia said.

Sophie went white as a sheet, her eyes fixed on the phone in Celia's hand. Had Celia actually caught her slapping Elle on camera?

Winston's brow creased. "What photos? Let me see them."

Celia looked calmly at Sophie, who was clearly rattled.