Never Forgive Never Forget (Celeste and Philip) novel Chapter 117

Celeste returned to the ballroom, and the curious eyes of half the socialites there immediately landed on her. Whispers rippled through the crowd.

"Isn't that the latest Spring Blossom collection? Straight off the runway, and she's already wearing it?"

"That dress is notorious for being unforgiving. You need a model's figure to pull it off, but look at her—she makes it look effortless."

"Who is she? Some actress from a big agency?"

"I think she's sitting at the VIP tables. She must be some high-profile wife or the heiress of a major family…"

Their voices faded into the swirling music and clinking glasses as Celeste strode past. Instead of returning to her seat, she made her way toward the buffet.

Alfred hadn't forgotten how she'd gone hungry at the last gala. This time, he'd sent her a message: There were desserts and snacks at the buffet he thought she'd enjoy.

It warmed her, knowing someone was looking out for her. Of course, she wasn't about to let his thoughtfulness go to waste.

Behind her, Beverly could hear the envious praise following Celeste across the room. A surge of jealousy burned inside her. She glanced down at her own ill-fitting, bargain-bin mermaid dress, her cheeks flushing with humiliation.

Retreating to a quiet corner, Beverly snatched up her phone and dialed Amanda.

"Mom! The zipper on my dress broke, so now I'm stuck in this ugly backup. How am I supposed to catch Jasper's eye like this?"

"Please, bring me one of my designer gowns right now! If you don't, I'll never have a chance with him tonight!"

Amanda's voice crackled with panic. "Don't worry, sweetheart! I'll send someone right away. Just wait by the entrance and pick it up… This is your chance, you can't miss it!"

"Okay."

Beverly hung up, a triumphant smirk on her lips as she glanced at Celeste's figure in the crowd. "Whatever you have, I can have too," she muttered, already on her way to the entrance to collect her dress.

But the security guards stopped her before she could leave.

Beverly's envy sharpened. She'd hoped to avoid her sister's spotlight, not wanting to be compared to her in front of everyone.

Behind her, Viola—who'd also noticed the Duncan sisters—glanced at Beverly with cold contempt, then deliberately bumped into her.

"Oops—!"

Beverly stumbled, crashing right into Celeste's back.

Celeste took a step forward, glancing over her shoulder with a slight frown.

"If you can't watch where you're going, maybe someone else could make better use of those eyes."

"You—!"

Beverly didn't even look at Viola, who'd started this in the first place. All her outrage was for Celeste. "You stopped on purpose just to make me bump into you! What, are your legs just for show?"