Never Forgive Never Forget (Celeste and Philip) novel Chapter 165

"Yeah, it's a deal—if the food's good, we'll come back together next time."

Celeste didn't pick up on the teasing glint in Claud's eyes. She just thought of it as one of those casual promises friends make after a nice meal—another restaurant to check off the list, nothing special.

Claud paused for a moment, then ran a hand over his forehead and let out a helpless chuckle.

Alfred, Alfred… your wife really is a bit clueless.

Still, the two of them got along well enough, and by the end of the meal, Celeste was in good spirits.

They'd eaten their fill, chatted, and now it was time to head back to the studio to fire up the kiln.

In the parking lot, Claud opened the car door for Celeste with a flourish.

"Thanks."

Celeste didn't mind a bit of chivalry; she smiled softly and slipped into the passenger seat.

Nearby, two familiar figures stood side by side. Viola, having just finished dinner herself, was holding onto Philip's arm. She suddenly pointed, eyes wide. "Philip! Isn't that Celeste? Who's that guy with her?"

Philip stiffened instantly, a flash of suspicion darkening his face.

If the Duncan family could sell Celeste off to Alfred as a mistress, they could just as easily push her toward other men.

He followed Viola's gaze and saw Celeste getting into the passenger seat beside an unfamiliar man. Without thinking, he charged across the lot.

"Celly!"

Claud had barely settled into the driver's seat when he heard someone shouting from a distance.

Celly? Who the hell was that?

Celeste snapped out of her thoughts and buckled her seatbelt.

"Just some stalker. Shut the door, quick."

"On it."

Claud closed the door and hit the locks without hesitation.

Philip reached the car a second too late, left pounding his fist against the window in frustration.

"Open up! Let Celeste out!"

Then, with a roar of the engine, Claud hit the gas. The sudden noise made Philip stumble back a couple of steps, startled and looking a bit ridiculous.

Claud couldn't help but laugh.

"Seriously, man? One rev of the engine and you lose your nerve? With that kind of backbone, maybe you shouldn't be chasing after women. You're making the rest of us look bad!"

And with that, Claud stepped on the accelerator and the car sped off, disappearing from view in seconds.

Philip stood there, face pale with humiliation.

Viola hurried over to steady him, worry etched on her face. "Philip! That scared me half to death. I thought Celeste's new guy was going to run you over or something. Are you okay?"

New guy.

Philip zeroed in on those words, his eyes darkening.

"Shut up. Celeste isn't the kind of woman who'd just move on. She and Alfred—"

"Alfred's not here now, is he? You can't see him! Look, Philip, I know this sounds harsh, but if Celeste could be Alfred's mistress, why not someone else's? Besides, she doesn't even love Alfred. She could fall for someone else…"

Philip had nothing to say to that.