All Chapters of No Way to Win Me Back: Chapter 121 - Chapter 130

Celeste’s POV“Me? Jealous?” I scoffed, tilting my head to the side with a smirk. “Is that why I’m planning on approaching Michelle to form a partnership with Hughes Industries?”My words didn’t have the effect I imagined on Ryan.He retreated into himself for a few seconds. Then he ran a hand over his face and let out a heavy breath. When he raised his eyes to meet my challenging gaze, there was an overpowering intensity in their depths that made me swallow.“Celeste, I strongly discourage you from getting involved with Hughes Industries.” He said, his tone taking on a dark edge.There was nothing problematic about his words. But the authoritative tone in his voice, the fierceness in his eyes, told me it wasn’t simply a suggestion. It was an order.I narrowed my eyes. “Care to explain why you’re so against the idea that you’d order your boss around?”He studied me, hesitating for a moment, before responding.“I’ve heard chatter that Crown Luxe is after an exclusive supplier contra

Celeste’s POVAfter tossing and turning all night, I gave up on sleep and headed to my studio at the crack of dawn to sketch my design ideas for our light luxury line. The familiar sound of lead sliding on paper calmed the storm in my mind, and the creative juices flowed.I was determined to make this a success.“I knew I’d find you here.” a sudden, smug voice startled me.I jumped, cutting a thick, dark line through my design.“Sorry, love,” Grace said, wincing when I glared up at her. “Peace offering?”I eagerly accepted the coffee and croissant she held out.“All is forgiven.” I smiled gratefully. “I was so excited to get my ideas on paper that coffee didn’t cross my mind.”She raised an eyebrow. “You’re a caffeine addict who forgot about coffee? Are you sure the new line is all that’s on your mind?”I chuckled. “You know how I get when I hyperfocus on my work.”“Our apartment walls are thin, Celeste.” She said gently. “I heard the Bridget Jones marathon playing all night.”I tore

Ryan’s POVThe blood drained from my face.Maximilian wasn’t one to make idle threats. If he put his wealth and connections towards ruining Celeste, she’d face more than an online smear campaign–she’d never step into a studio again.Not even as a janitor.“Father, Celeste has done nothing wrong!” I said with indignation. “How could you threaten to destroy someone’s livelihood for your own gain?” He tutted. “Don’t make me out to be the villain, Ryan. You wanted control, and I gave it to you. Now make your decision.”Celeste had worked damn hard to get where she was today. I couldn’t let her lose it all because of me and still call myself a man.I had no choice.“I’ll dazzle Michelle’s parents for you under one condition.” I said, voice harsh as a blizzard. “You must make provisions in your exclusivity contract to allow Rosemary to go into business with Hughes Industries.”If I couldn’t stop my father from controlling my life, at least I’d fight for Celeste with the little power I had

Vanessa’s POVI didn’t look up when the interrogation room’s door opened and the detectives walked in. Instead, I kept my gaze trained on the table, shoulders slightly curved, and my expression a mix of pouty and afraid.Conner and I had perfected my innocent and demure look years ago.“Good afternoon, detectives.” Connor said as they settled down. “Are these handcuffs necessary? My client is in her second trimester–she won’t hurt anyone.”“Despite her pregnancy, your client has been assessed as a danger to herself and others,” the female detective said firmly. “The cuffs stay.”I rolled my eyes internally at the hardass. But it didn’t matter. The plan was always to focus my attention on her male colleague–my innocent act worked on men better, anyway.“I’m Detective Santiago, and this is my partner, Detective Perez. The alleged assault took place inside the fitting rooms, where the store does not keep security cameras for privacy reasons.” Before I could celebrate, she turned her la

Celeste’s POVI touched up my makeup in my car’s vanity mirror, then tossed my lipstick into my purse where the bracelet Ryan had made for me glinted from the bottom. I glared at it and unbuckled my seatbelt.Tonight I dressed to kill.My driver’s door opened. “You look lovely, Celeste. Shall we?”“You’re such a gentleman.” I said with a smile. My date offered a hand, and I allowed them to help me out of my car.“I know how to treat a lady,” Grace said, then wriggled her eyebrows. “Maybe I’ll get lucky tonight, hm?”We laughed as we walked towards the restaurant, arm-in-arm. When the restaurant’s sign came into view—La Maison in neon white—my lips curled into a smirk.I’d sent Damien to a restaurant an hour out of town.“We have a reservation under ‘Celeste’.” I said to the maitre d’.My eyes scanned the restaurant as he led us to our table, searching for a glimpse of broad shoulders and wavy black hair. I was both eager and terrified that I had recalled which restaurant Michelle me