บททั้งหมดของ No Way to Win Me Back: บทที่ 71 - บทที่ 80

Celeste’s POV“Oh, Celeste.” Damien simpered with condescension. “That you think you stand a chance against me in a custody battle is adorable, but hopelessly misguided.”I gritted my teeth, refusing to back down.“I’ve worked tirelessly to build a career and gain enough wealth to fight for my daughter.” I raised a mocking eyebrow. “Are you discouraging me because you’re afraid I’ll win, Damien?”He sneered with self importance. “Don’t let your five seconds of limelight deceive you. Rosemary is just a fad soon to be forgotten, unlike my company that has stood the test of time.”“If my success is temporary, why are you so desperate to sign with me?” I asked, smirking.Damien glared. “Don’t mistake my charitable offers for need. I can easily afford to pay the exuberant tuition of Bonnie’s prestigious preschool. Can your meager earnings offer our daughter the same?”“Are you sure you can afford her tuition with the mounting lawsuits against your company?” He froze at my question. The col

Ryan’s POVI shrugged off my coat, shoulders stiff from the strain it took not to hit Damien throughout dinner, and handed it to my father’s butler at the front door. With each step towards the living room, the knot in my stomach tightened.I’d kept my father waiting long enough–it was time to bite the bullet.“Uncle Ry-Ry!” Molly jumped off the sofa to barrel into me.My eyes scanned the room as I ruffled her hair. A cartoon played in the background, Molly’s coloring book was on the coffee table, and the perfectly fluffed throw cushion on my father’s favorite armchair was untouched.“Mols, where’s grandpa?” I asked when she released my legs.“In his study.” She pointed down the hall, then scrunched her brows in confusion. “Why did you lie to Auntie Celeste that the driver was grandpa?”In my apprehension about my father’s anger, I’d forgotten about that near slip. I smiled as I spoke. “That wasn’t a lie, it was a game, silly.”“A game?” she asked innocently.“We were playing make-b

Celeste’s POV“Grace, you’re a lifesaver.” I said breathlessly as I ducked into her office nearly two hours late for work. She looked up from her desktop with a warm smile. “After all the overtime you’ve put in recently, I’m happy to deliver an order for you.”“I owe you one,” I said, slipping off my coat. “Did Julie like it?”Grace tapped a finger on her chin. “Oh, she wasn’t home, so I had to leave her order with the butler. But with your skill, Celeste, I’m sure she’ll love it.”She gave me an encouraging smile, but my stomach twisted. “A butler?” I echoed. “Shouldn’t a bespoke necklace worth five figures garner a personal touch? Julie is a referral from Celine Mars, so a shining review would really boost business.”Grace chewed on her lip, brows furrowing. “Damn it, Celeste. You’re right.” She looked down at her keyboard, shoulders slumped. “I wanted to wait for Julie, but I had an important meeting with another client I couldn’t miss, and piles of paperwork to get through.”I

Damien’s POV“Thank you for stepping forward, Lily.” Celeste arched a brow as she smirked at Vanessa. “Will you still deny your harsh treatment of Bonnie, even in the face of a witness?”Why was Vanessa always throwing a spanner in my plans?I fixed her with a pointed glare that promised the full extent of my wrath if she didn’t turn this situation into my favor–Bonnie had to choose us over Celeste. Thankfully, she proved her money’s worth.“I am ashamed to admit that it’s true.” She sighed remorsefully, a blush coloring her cheeks. “At four months pregnant, my hormones are fluctuating wildly, which made me lose my patience with our little princess that day.”She ceased cradling her protruding belly to crouch in front of Bonnie. “I am so sorry, sweetheart.” Tears welled in her eyes and as she spoke, her voice trembled. “I promise I will never treat you like that again.”Bonnie watched her for a moment before embracing her. Vanessa sobbed dainty into the little girl’s chest as she s

Celeste’s POV“Bring me Rosemary right this instance!” Julie screeched, a Rosemary branded box shaking in her vice like grip. I gathered my nerves and squared my shoulders. Whatever we’d done to piss her off had to be rectified without delay–Julie was a wealthy client we couldn’t afford to lose.“I’m Rosemary–we met at Celine’s party.” I said, stepping over the spilled coffee. “Is there a problem with your order?”Julie ripped the box open and slammed a necklace on the counter, causing Grace and I to flinch. The links of the chain broke from the impact.“Do you expect me to accept this junk as the five figure bespoke necklace I paid for? It’s not even made from the mokume-gane metal we agreed on.” She fumed. I picked up the chain, carefully studying the crude workmanship and inferior materials. An icy shudder ran through my body–it wasn’t the necklace I’d spent hours hunched over designing and crafting from only the finest materials. This was some generic costume jewelry you could