Never Forgive Never Forget (Celeste and Philip) novel Chapter 114

He suddenly caught sight of Celeste in the crowd.

Celeste and Alfred hadn't held their wedding yet, so most of Asterwynn's elite didn't recognize her.

She'd arrived alone with Mack, dressed in the season's latest silver satin gown. Silver-white floral embroidery curled across the fabric like clouds, wrapping her in an ethereal glow. Her striking eyes were lined with just a hint of color at the corners, which only made her look more serene and untouchable.

Jasper found himself drifting toward her without thinking.

"Miss Celeste."

"I thought you'd know how to address me properly," she replied, her cool gaze barely lingering on him.

She clearly didn't want to engage with Jasper.

Oddly, Jasper wasn't offended by her aloofness. Instead, his eyes lingered on her, unable to look away.

That was the scene Beverly walked in on—Jasper, utterly captivated by Celeste's presence.

So, Jasper's heart was stolen by Celeste after all!?

Beverly had originally believed Jasper was upset with her because Alfred had swooped in and handed the project to the Duncan family instead. But Celeste was a Duncan, too! Why was she the one winning Jasper's favor? Was it possible Jasper's coldness had nothing to do with the Duncan family feud, and everything to do with Celeste, who'd been turning him against her from the start?

Once this thought took root, it wouldn't let go.

Before she knew it, Beverly had blamed everything on Celeste.

She strode over in a few brisk steps.

"Honestly, you're being a bit standoffish, aren't you? Jasper's family, after all. Can't you even bring yourself to look at him? Or is it that now you're marrying Uncle Alfred, you think you're above him?"

Jasper's smile faded when he spotted Beverly approaching.

Celeste turned at the sound of Beverly's voice, her eyes drifting to Beverly's waist, eyebrows inching together.

"You—"

"Jasper's a generation younger, so technically he should be the one showing you respect. But come on, it's the twenty-first century. We're all about the same age. No need to put on airs, right?"

Oblivious, Celeste followed a server into the VIP section to wait for Alfred's arrival.

Elsewhere in the hall, Philip, another guest, spotted her and moved to approach. Viola, just out of the hospital, clung to his arm. "Philip, she poached that deal you worked so hard to get—how can you—"

Philip paused, about to explain, but then saw Celeste entering the VIP section and froze.

"That's Mrs. Hopkins's seat. Celeste, what are you—"

How could she dare to take the spotlight from the lady of the house?

If the Hopkins family saw Alfred's mistress so brazenly seated beside him—

Philip couldn't bring himself to imagine the consequences.

Acting on instinct, he shrugged off Viola's weak grip and hurried over to Celeste.

"Celeste, you can't sit here! If Mrs. Hopkins finds out you're openly sitting beside Alfred, she'll never let you off the hook!"