Never Forgive Never Forget (Celeste and Philip) novel Chapter 150

The same crowd that had just been mocking Philip was now falling over themselves to flatter him, their faces plastered with ingratiating smiles.

Celeste didn't spare a single glance at Philip, who was now surrounded by sycophants. She simply took Irma by the arm and walked away.

Inside the elevator, Irma spoke up quietly.

"Mr. Duncan is waiting for you downstairs. He already knows Miss Beverly showed up as well, but he's not upset."

She hesitated, then added, "He's also booked a private room for a celebration dinner. Seems he's pretty confident about winning this bid."

Celeste scoffed under her breath. Herbert must have assumed Beverly wasn't even eligible to participate, just tagging along to keep up appearances—so naturally, he had nothing to get mad about.

He'd change his tune soon enough, though, once the news hit that their bid had failed.

And, right on cue, as Celeste stepped out in front of The Gallagher Group's building, she saw Beverly collapsed in Herbert's arms, sobbing dramatically, a vivid red handprint blooming on her cheek.

"Dad, even Celeste joined The Gallagher heiress in humiliating me! Look at this—she slapped me, right in front of all those uncles and family friends. How am I supposed to face them in business from now on?"

The old-money families in Asterwynn all knew each other. For Herbert, the thought that Celeste had disciplined her sister publicly was mortifying—a humiliation in front of his peers.

His anger flared. He rounded on Celeste, voice sharp and accusing.

"And you! How could you lose the project? Are you telling me our family—an Asterwynn legacy—can't even compete with Silvercrest? Where am I supposed to put my pride? How am I supposed to hold my head up after this?"

"I'd already booked the celebration dinner! Celeste, are you deliberately trying to make a fool of me?"

The barrage of criticism rained down on Celeste.

Philip, who'd followed them out, heard everything crystal clear. If he hadn't shown up and snatched the bid, Celeste wouldn't be taking the blame now.

He stepped forward, trying to explain.

"Mr. Duncan, actually, it was only because The Robertson Group joined the bid at the last minute that Celeste's project—"

Click.

At the eye of the storm, Celeste ignored both her father's accusations and Philip's attempt to defend her. She simply opened the car door.

She sneered. "And you two—aren't you always bragging about being such a distinguished family? How shameless do you have to be to throw your daughter at another woman's fiancé, and then parade her in front of his real fiancée? You're disgracing the whole lineage!"

Parade her in front of the real fiancée?

Herbert spun around to glare at Beverly, who shrank back, covering her cheek in embarrassment.

So the slap wasn't from Celeste after all—it was Effie she'd crossed.

After being humiliated again and again today, Herbert found himself at the end of his rope. But he couldn't risk offending The Gallagher Group. Forcing a shaky smile, he tried to placate Effie.

"My apologies, Miss Gallagher. I failed to raise my daughter properly. Please forgive us."

Effie didn't even bother to reply.

With no choice, Herbert kept his head down and hustled Beverly away as quickly as possible.

Utterly humiliated.