Never Forgive Never Forget (Celeste and Philip) novel Chapter 118

Celeste was speechless.

She walked at a pace so slow, you'd think she was racing a tortoise—and losing.

And yet, Beverly somehow still managed to blame her for everything.

Celeste sighed.

"Remember to get a few shots of the Hopkins Group's new smart glasses later," she said.

"These glasses analyze your surroundings and can even handle basic calculations. Perfect for someone like you—who can't see what's right in front of her and doesn't have much going on upstairs, either."

The words had barely left her lips when the onlookers struggled to stifle their laughter. A tall man swirling a glass of red wine couldn't hold back—a low chuckle escaped him.

Celeste turned at the sound.

He was broad-shouldered, long-legged, with a striking Roman nose and sharp, wolfish eyes. There was a dangerous edge to his gaze, but his dark, tousled hair and the smirk tugging at one corner of his mouth made him look more rakish than menacing.

Beverly was so furious she could barely speak. Now, with this stranger laughing at her, she shot him a venomous glare.

The man only grinned and melted back into the crowd.

Celeste watched his retreating back, amused. To laugh so freely in a place like this—you could tell at a glance he was no ordinary guest.

She didn't dwell on it, simply continued forward.

Behind her, Viola, seeing Beverly bested so easily, sneered.

"Useless. I guess I'll have to handle this myself."

She strode up, determined to teach Celeste a lesson.

But before she could get close, Philip appeared, trailing after her. The moment he spotted the two women, he made a beeline for Viola and grabbed her arm.

Celeste sidestepped his grasp, brushing past him without so much as a glance. Her voice was cold.

"Why don't you mind your own business and figure out where you belong."

With that, she strode straight to the front row and took her seat.

And as fate would have it, the tall, rakish man from earlier was sitting right beside her.

Definitely someone important.

Celeste met his eyes. They exchanged a brief nod—an unspoken greeting between equals.

Across the room, Philip stared at his empty hand, his heart twisting.

After everything, Celeste dismissed his concern as meddling.