Never Forgive Never Forget (Celeste and Philip) novel Chapter 109

Hospital.

Herbert slammed his phone down in frustration, the endless busy tone grating on his nerves. He shot Amanda a scathing look.

"Why do you always have to be so harsh when you talk to people?"

Amanda huffed. "I just wanted Derek to teach Celeste a lesson, that's all. But you heard what happened…"

Herbert cut her off. "Celeste is perfectly fine with the Hopkins family. Not only that, she stayed overnight at the manor and even got the old man's approval. And you still had to yell at her! If she decides to tell Mr. Hopkins you called them in the middle of the night, our entire family is finished!"

Amanda's eyes filled with tears at his words. "I was only following your plan! I helped you, and now you're blaming me?"

She sniffed, her tone growing more aggrieved. "Now that Celeste is back in favor, you turn on me. Are you planning to keep her around and kick Beverly and me out? Is that it?"

By the end, her voice broke, and she turned away, threatening to cry.

Herbert's anger cooled a little at her tears. It was true—he'd only started resenting Amanda because Celeste was suddenly in a position of power. But Amanda and Beverly were still on his side; they had to stick together. Celeste, that ungrateful girl, was just a pawn. He could use her, but Amanda needed to stay firmly under his control.

With that thought, Herbert quickly softened his expression and pulled Amanda into a reassuring embrace.

"Of course not! You know how much I can't stand Celeste. I wish she'd stayed lost with Philip and never come back! If it weren't for you and Beverly's future, I never would've swallowed my pride and begged her for help… Everything I do is for you and Beverly. How could you doubt that?"

He peppered her with kisses, arms wrapped around her like a doting husband.

Amanda finally relented, giving him a playful smack on the shoulder. "Enough with the sweet talk! The sun's up—I'll go grab us some breakfast."

"Thank you, darling," Herbert crooned, his tone syrupy.

Amanda feigned a shy smile as she left the hospital room, but the moment the door closed behind her, her face went cold.

"Mr. Robertson? What brings you to the hospital?"

"I'm here to visit Mr. Duncan," Philip replied, holding a basket of fruit and a box of vitamins.

Amanda was surprised. After all, Philip had taken a hit for Celeste just yesterday—yet he'd still come to check on Herbert? Still, it wasn't every day a distinguished guest showed up. She wasn't about to let the opportunity slip away.

She led Philip to the hospital room.

As soon as Philip entered, Herbert sat up immediately, forcing a smile. "Mr. Robertson! I behaved terribly last night—are you all right? Did you get hurt?"

"I'm fine," Philip replied coolly, setting down the gifts. He exchanged a few polite words with Herbert, but his eyes were already scanning the room. After a long pause, he finally asked, "Where's Celeste? Her father was hospitalized from the stress, and she hasn't come to see him?"

He hadn't slept a wink all night.