Never Forgive Never Forget (Celeste and Philip) novel Chapter 70

Beverly's face blanched, then flushed red. Jasper, are you really falling for Celeste this quickly?

As the room stirred with renewed commotion, Celeste felt a headache coming on.

She stepped in front of Beverly, shielding her with a cool detachment, then turned her head slightly.

It occurred to her that, technically, Jasper was now her nephew by marriage.

Professionally, she couldn't just abandon a client to leave alone.

Personally, as Alfred's wife, she ought to offer her nephew a proper gift.

With a graceful smile, Celeste flicked a Duncan Group platinum card onto the round table, sending it gliding until it stopped right in front of Jasper. By the time the card landed, she was already gathering her people to leave, tossing back one last parting remark.

"Mr. Hopkins, feel free to indulge."

Jasper picked up the sleek black card, a sly smile playing on his lips.

"Celeste really is something else."

...

Outside the hotel, Celeste called a car just for herself and Irma. Before she closed the door, she shot Beverly a frosty glare.

"From now on, keep your mouth shut and stay out of sight. Stop embarrassing the Duncan family!"

Slam.

The door closed, and the driver sped off, leaving Beverly standing alone in the cold, so furious her vision swam.

Celeste had blatantly stolen her project and still had the nerve to blame her!

She stood there fuming in the chilly air for several minutes before her own driver finally arrived.

As soon as Beverly climbed into the car, she kicked the back of the driver's seat.

"Take me to the office! I want Dad to know that even after stealing Alfred, she's trying to take Jasper from me too!"

"Yes, Miss," the driver replied with a restrained frown, hiding his annoyance as he pulled away.

No wonder hardly anyone at the company liked Miss Beverly, he thought. That temper of hers…

The moment the car stopped, Beverly stormed straight into Herbert's office, bursting into loud, dramatic tears.

Celeste was exasperated. She strode over to the father-daughter duo, enunciating every word. "You're accusing me of seducing Jasper, when it's obvious who's throwing herself at whom."

Beverly's eyes darted away, guilt flickering across her face.

Celeste pressed closer, grabbing Beverly's chin and forcing her to look up.

"Do you really think Jasper is interested in you? You tried so desperately to get his attention today, but instead of impressing him, you only embarrassed yourself. He ignored you, and now you're blaming me?"

The Hopkins family may not be as traditional as the Duncans, but when it comes to choosing a partner, they're even more discerning.

Beverly couldn't muster a retort and broke down sobbing, burying herself in Herbert's embrace to seek comfort.

Herbert was nearly shaking with anger. "Celeste! What exactly are you trying to pull?"

Celeste gave a cold, dismissive laugh.

"Shouldn't I be the one asking you that? I went out to negotiate a business deal, and Beverly barged in, making a scene and ruining everything. Now you're twisting the story, accusing me of seduction?"

Beverly shot back, her voice rising, "What about the deal? Where's the contract? What happened to the investment?"

Just then, Irma knocked and entered briskly. "Miss Celeste, Mr. Jasper just sent over the contract. He specifically requested that you be in charge of the project."