Never Forgive Never Forget (Celeste and Philip) novel Chapter 67

The project manager standing nearby was practically holding his breath, on the verge of suffocating.

Philip was wide-eyed with shock.

She was actually acting this way in front of Alfred—being so willful?

In the past, Celly would only ever show this side of herself to him, soft and playful...

But now, she could do it with another man, too.

Was he really about to lose her?

Philip's fists clenched tighter.

Alfred finished his inspection of the room and finally straightened up. "From now on, don't go kicking people in heels again."

"Afraid I'll mess up your business partners?" Celeste drew her leg back and leaned lazily against the conference table, shooting Philip a look full of meaning.

Alfred smoothed his jacket with deliberate calm, his voice cold as a glacier. "He's not a business partner anymore."

He didn't even spare Philip a glance.

"Wait, Mr. Alfred—"

"Cancel all contracts with Nova International," Alfred ordered the project manager, cutting Philip off before he could finish.

The manager finally snapped out of his daze and bowed respectfully.

"Mr. Robertson, if you'd please."

"Wait!"

Philip suddenly remembered everything riding on this deal and rushed forward in a few quick steps. "Mr. Alfred, please, give Nova International another chance. This project—"

Alfred's icy stare cut him off, sharp as a warning.

Philip felt a chill run down his spine.

But this deal with Hopkins Group was crucial. He'd spent months preparing for it—how could he just let it slip away?

His gaze landed on Celeste. Gritting his teeth, he tried one last time.

"Celly."

"Yes?"

Because all those wounds he'd inflicted on Celly were now being visited, one by one, upon him.

The Hopkins Group's upcoming project in Silvercrest was a prize everyone was after, like a fat piece of steak. Every competitor was watching hungrily—including the Duncan Group.

At noon, while Alfred was explaining the pros and cons of the local sites, Celeste's phone rang. It was Herbert.

His tone was unusually ingratiating, with a hint of forced cheer. "I heard Mr. Alfred's in Silvercrest to look over the area and set up a new mall. Talk to him for me... see if he'll let Duncan Group take on The Silvercrest Emporium project."

So, this was about business.

Celeste glanced over at Alfred, who was speaking with the branch managers, then stepped aside, her heart turning cold.

"Duncan Group barely has any influence in Silvercrest. Why take on a project you're not ready for? If you botch this, you're not worried the Hopkins family will hold Dad responsible?"

Herbert didn't lose his smile. "Come on, now. You're Alfred's wife—what's the worst that could happen? Even if you screw up, do you really think he'd do anything to his own wife? And who says Duncan Group will be the ones to mess it up?"

He kept up his sycophantic tone, undeterred.

Everyone knew the Hopkins family's malls were bigger than all of Duncan Group's operations put together.

If only they could land this deal...