Semua Bab No Way to Win Me Back: Bab 81 - Bab 90

Celeste’s POV“My girlfriend?” Ryan asked, face a picture of surprise. “Who told you I was moving to live with my girlfriend?”Was he planning on keeping it a secret forever?“Molly mentioned you were moving out yesterday because your father had found you a girlfriend.” I said nonchalantly as I fished my car keys from my handbag.Ryan’s eyes held an odd twinkle as he asked, “And what do you think about that?”I shrugged. “You’re at the right age to settle down and start a family, so I guess congratulations are in order. Your father has one less thing to worry about.”A provocative smile curled his perfectly sculpted lips, and I started down the steps. My cheeks flushed unbidden.“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re jealous, Celeste.”Ryan’s teasing tone made me freeze as he hit a sore spot I was desperately trying to ignore. Light footsteps approached, and I forced myself to get a grip.I couldn’t look like a fool in front of my assistant.“Oh, that’s ridiculous.” I forced a la

Ryan’s POV“I have nothing to hide!” James shouted insistently. He was clearly on edge, desperately trying to hide his anxiety, but his nervous ticks and sweaty forehead gave him away.“Is that so? Then you wouldn’t mind me sharing this information with Julie, or the authorities, when we open up our investigation.” I said. “There’s a missing five figure necklace that needs to be found, after all.”He sounded like he'd run a marathon when he asked, “Why would you point them my way? I told you, I’m innocent!”My demeanor flipped, and in the next heartbeat I was leaning forward, face stoney.“Because I’ve spoken to the debt collectors who are after you, James. I know how desperate your situation is and how simple it would have been for you to swap the necklaces.” I said, voice hard. “Come clean before this blows up in your face.”His eyes were wide as saucers.“You have no proof I took the necklace! If you keep harassing me, I’ll c-call…” his words fizzled into a gasp for air. The butle

Celeste’s POVFear gripped me as I turned around to come face to face with Damien. He carried a box laden with party supplies and was dressed from head to toe in white, topped off with a smug grin. “I’m happy to see you’ve reconsidered my offer from this morning,” he preened, placing the box on his immaculate lawn.My eyes were fixed on his face as I discreetly slipped my phone into my back pocket. I didn’t know how he’d react if he found out I’d been secretly recording.Damien took my silence as confirmation and stepped closer.“You’ve finally come to your senses, haven’t you, sweet cheeks?” he murmured, caressing my face. “I’ve been so worried about you. Look at how thin you’ve become.”Repulsion rolled my stomach as he snaked a hand around my waist, guiding me towards the house.“I’m so glad you changed your mind, Celeste. Who cares if your career crashed and burned? You’ll find that being my mistress comes with financial security, the pleasure of my company, and many other perks.”

Celeste’s POV“Stalker!” Vanessa screeched, lunging for my phone. “Delete that right now or I’ll sue you for recording me without my consent!”I stepped back, protecting the phone against my chest. There wasn’t a chance in hell I’d delete such crucial evidence of her verbal and emotional abuse towards my daughter.Vanessa’s eyes blew wide in shock as she tottered in her high heels. Instinctively, I reached out to steady her, but her face morphed into a devious smirk for a split second before she flung herself to the ground. “How could you push me?” She cried out, clutching her stomach tearfully.I rolled my eyes. “No one’s going to buy your pitiful act–”Damien shoved past me to get to Vanessa, roughly knocking the air out of my lungs. His thick arms bulged as he lifted her off the ground and supported her with an arm around her shoulders.“Are you crazy? She’s pregnant for god’s sake!” he roared with barely contained rage.Was he angry because he cared about Vanessa and their child,

Vanessa’s POV“Do you want to borrow an umbrella before you go?” I called out to Celeste’s retreating figure, my tone light yet barbed. “Today’s weather forecast predicts heavy showers.”The slight stiffening in her shoulders told me she understood I was referring to the shitstorm that was about to hit her business. “No? Suit yourself.” I said, waving with a malicious smile on my lips. “Bye-bye, Celeste!”“That’s enough, Vanessa.” Damien frowned.I matched his frown with a pout. “But babe, I was just concerned about her…”His eyes darted to the neighbors’ houses and down the street. “Well, keep it down. I don’t need my reputation falling to tatters like Celeste’s did from a simple video,” he said curtly.I turned to the side so he wouldn’t see the smirk on my face. The dumb bitch should have listened when I warned her not to mess with me or my man at Celine Mars’ party. Her annoying brat of a daughter already preferred me. Now that video with the butler I made viral was the final na