Never Forgive Never Forget (Celeste and Philip) novel Chapter 156

Light flared back to life in the corner of the hall.

No one.

Wait—no, that couldn't be right.

Celeste was certain she hadn't imagined it.

Frowning, she called a maid over and asked her to switch on every light in the house.

Just as Celeste prepared to search further, a faint rustling echoed from behind a cabinet.

"Miss, be careful!" one of the maids whispered urgently.

The two maids immediately stepped in front of Celeste, shielding her.

A moment later, a small kitten poked its round head out from behind the cabinet. Its big eyes blinked at them, and it let out a plaintive little "meow, meow."

"Oh dear, do you think the gardener left the door open after tending the garden this afternoon? Maybe a stray cat slipped in from outside."

"Don't worry, miss. I'll get this little intruder out of here."

Both maids exhaled in relief, chattering away as they moved to catch the kitten.

Despite being a stray, the kitten seemed surprisingly docile. When one of the maids lifted it gently by the scruff of its neck, it only mewed softly, legs dangling, without even trying to scratch.

Celeste let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

Just a kitten.

"Meow—"

The kitten gazed up at her, wide-eyed and pitiful, its tiny legs pawing at the air as its stomach rumbled audibly.

It was hungry.

Celeste thought for a moment. "Let's get it something to eat first. We can let it go afterwards."

"Of course, miss."

The maids nodded, carrying the kitten downstairs to find it some food.

Celeste wandered through the villa one more time, making sure nothing else was amiss before gathering up the porcelain she'd come for and heading downstairs.

High above, in the shadows of the second floor, something dark flickered and vanished.

Downstairs, Celeste poured herself a glass of water and texted Janice to let her know where she was before preparing to leave.

"Meow—"

The kitten, now with a milk moustache, rubbed affectionately against her leg.

From now on, she'd do as she wished—she'd raise this sweet little kitten herself.

The kitten curled up contentedly against her, letting out a soft, happy purr.

Celeste, kitten in tow, made her way straight to Janice's lab.

The old gatekeeper, a cat lover himself, agreed to watch the kitten for a while.

Janice was already waiting for her at the entrance.

But instead of asking about the porcelain, Janice greeted her with a huge hug, then pointed dramatically at the Rolls-Royce Cullinan parked outside.

"Girl, did you really have to bring your Cullinan to the museum just to show off?"

Celeste rolled her eyes and gave Janice a playful smack on the arm. "You're literally the only one pulling a late shift tonight. Who am I supposed to impress?"

Janice clutched her shoulder, feigning injury. "A white Cullinan isn't exactly subtle, you know! Don't tell me you've become a secret millionaire and didn't tell me!"

Celeste sighed, exasperated. "I just happened to get married, that's all. It was a business arrangement. My husband's an ally—he lent me the car."

Janice's eyes sparkled with mischief. "So who's your mysterious husband, then? Must be nice to have a Cullinan as your runaround car!"

Celeste was about to answer when her phone lit up with an incoming call. The name "Alfred" flashed across the screen.

Janice caught a glimpse and gasped, "Holy crap! Mr. Alfred?!"