Never Forgive Never Forget (Celeste and Philip) novel Chapter 148

Beverly's eyes widened ever so slightly.

"Celeste, you—"

"If you want to come in with me, I can call my father right now and ask if he told you to show up today." Celeste stopped in her tracks and turned to look at her.

Beverly's face flushed deep red, but she made no move to let Celeste make that call—Herbert would never have approved her coming!

The reason was simple. Her relationship with Jasper was unofficial and messy, and Effie was still Jasper's fiancée. Coming here was just asking for trouble.

Her father couldn't find out!

Beverly scrambled for something to use against Celeste, desperately searching for a weak spot, but Celeste's voice was as light as a feather.

"If you know you don't belong here, don't embarrass yourself. There are plenty of cars at home—pick one and get lost."

With that, Celeste stepped into the lounge with Irma, closing the door behind them.

Effie, thoroughly pleased with Celeste's handling of the situation, waved for security to show Beverly out and let a sly smile curl onto her lips.

"Beverly is a real piece of work, but I'm surprised her sister isn't half bad."

"She's still Mrs. Alfred, though. When the bidding starts…"

"Business is business," Effie cut in coolly. "Celeste seems competent enough. When it comes to deals, it's all about skill."

She shot a cold look at the assistant who'd spoken, her tone icy. "Don't try to guess what I'm thinking."

"Yes, ma'am."

The assistant, sweating bullets, hurried to follow her inside.

Celeste, standing quietly in the corner, watched Effie's expression shift. Her eyes narrowed with quiet composure.

Effie really was born with a silver spoon in her mouth—proud to the core.

…

Her assistant leaned in to whisper, "That's Philip Robertson, from Silvercrest Group."

"Miss Gallagher," Philip greeted, striding forward and nodding politely. As he did, his gaze flickered to Celeste—surprised to see her there.

The Gallagher Group had only just started working with the Hopkins family. For Celeste, the infamous "other woman," to show up so openly—wasn't she afraid of what the Hopkinses might think?

But with the bidding about to start and so many eyes on them, Philip kept his tone strictly professional. He took a seat, making sure to keep a respectable distance from Celeste.

As everyone settled in, an older gentleman at the table shot Philip a sideways glare.

"Disgraceful," he muttered under his breath. "Since when does an illegitimate child from some second-rate out-of-town family get to sit at our table?"

Philip's knuckles turned white as he clenched his fists, eyes burning with anger.

Illegitimate child.

It had been a long time since anyone had dared call him that.