Chapter 44
Manuel drove to the the address Celeste had texted him.
Upon seeing him, a subtle smile played on her lips. “Manuel!”
Manuel nodded and took a seat opposite her.
“How have you been lately?”
Actually her recent times hadn’t been very good, but at least her father’s arrival had lifted her spirits somewhat. So she nodded, “not bad.”
Manuel’s expression showed that he was neither fully convinced nor
disbelieving.
Without wasting time, Celeste got straight to the point, “the research institute I asked you to investigate… have you found anything fishy?”
A couple of days ago, Celeste had discovered that Kendric was somewhat related to the research institute her father told her. She had her suspicions and
had asked Manuel to investigate.
Manuel set down his cup and fixed his deep gaze on Celeste.
“I’m just speculating, and I don’t have concrete evidence to make you
believe me.”
Even so, Celeste instinctively trusted him. “Tell me what you found.”
“There’s a company under Melville Group called Champ Real Estate. Have
you heard of it?”
She nodded, “yep, but what does it have to do with the research institute?”
Manuel shared all the information he had uncovered without reservation,
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“Champ Real Estate purchased a piece of land in Brook Town last year for
tourism development.”
Celeste furrowed her brow and motioned for him to continue.
“Do you know how he got this piece of land?”
He used the word “got“, instead of “bought.”
Celeste carefully recollected the place, Brook Town. Brook Town boasted
unique tourism resources, yet it also featured agriculture. Hundreds of acres of
farmland provided a livelihood for the local.
The government had long been striving to transform Brook Town into a
tourist destination but faced persistent obstacles.
One major challenge stemmed from the resistance of the farmers. The
government failed to gain approval through a vote.
“What I’m gonna say is my guess. Would you like me to continue?” Manuel
gave her the choice whether to proceed.
An unexplainable sense of dread enveloped Celeste. “Please, go on,” she
managed to say.
“Kendric and his team came up with a solution. They established a research
institute and, under the pretext of establishing a research base in Brook Town,
they bought several hundred acres of farmland from the farmers.”
Celeste’s mouth was agape. The answer had become glaringly apparent in
her mind.
“I believe you have got the answer,” Manuel said.
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She knew she had no right to blame Kendric for the decisions he’s made. He’s a businessman, not a philanthropist. His top priority is always his own.
interests.
Celeste knew better than anyone else about Kendric. While he might appear gentle on the surface, there’s a hidden ruthless side to him.
Now, Kendric might use his ruthless tactic in Breeze Town, the place she grew up in. Celeste couldn’t shake off the chill it sent down her spine.
Seeing her lost in thought, Manuel reassured her, “the latter part is just my.
guess;. There’s no solid evidence yet.”
Celeste lowered her head, “thank you, Manuel.”
“No need to be so polite to me,” he took out a phone from his pocket and
handed it to her. “Here’s a new phone. You can use this phone to call me.”
Yes, considering Kendric’s habit of frequently checking her phone and
occasionally confiscating it, she realized the need for a new phone. Celeste.
accepted it and put it in her bag.
When Celeste returned to the speciality restaurant, her father was no
longer at his seat. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly took out her phone.
Thank goodness, he answered.
As it turned out, Kendric had taken her father away first. Myles assured Celeste over the phone, “don’t worry, Cely. I’m on my way back to Melville family.”
Just at this time Cade walked in. “Miss Alinsky, it’s time for you to go
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home.”
“Why did my father leave first?”
“Mr. Melville ordered us to send back father first, just in case…”
Clearly, Cade saw through her scheme.
“Just in case of what?”
Cade’s face carried a hint of sarcasm, “you’ve been sneaking out for quite a
while, leaving your father waiting here all alone. Just in case he might get
bored.”
Celeste smiled, not getting provoked by Cade’s sarcasm.
“Cade, even if you did figure it out, I still managed to sneak out, didn’t I?”
She pointed out playfully, “and that’s your such a big work blunder. Have you.
racked your mind how you should explain to Kendric?”
Cade, who had never been threatened by a young girl, thought Celeste
rather naive.
He glanced at his watch, “you have promised Mr. Melville to go back before than nine o’clock.” He revealed a sly smile, “it’s already past nine. I don’t think your happiness will last too long.”
Celeste shook her head, “why do you
Cade’s smile faded.
still think I’d obey Kendric’s words?”
She continued, “if I don’t make it back by nine, you think Kendric will punish me?” She stood up from her seat, “instead of worrying about me, I suggest you be worried about yourself.”
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Inside Melville’s villa, every light was on, and Celeste stood at the doorstep. After taking a deep breath, she walked in with slow, heavy steps.
Celeste set down her bag and slipped into comfortable slippers before
stealing a quick glance towards the brightly lit living room.
The crystal chandelier cast a radiant glow, and in the midst of it all, Kendric
sat quietly on the sofa.
Celeste tiptoed towards the staircase.
But before she could ascend the steps, a voice halted her in her tracks,
“hold on.”
At first Celeste intended to turn a deaf ear, but the potential consequences if
he did so… She let out a sigh and reluctantly altered her course, making her way
to the living room.
She stopped roughly three meters away from Kendric.
“Come here,” he commanded, “sit by my side.”
Celeste did move closer, yet she took a seat on the adjacent sofa.
The simmering fury in Kendric’s eyes was impossible to miss.
“Anything important?” she inquired as she stifled a yawn.
“Did you have a good time going out today?”
Celeste nodded candidly, “sure.”
“More enjoyable than staying with me?”
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ChapteM4
Well, to be honest, it would be hundreds of times more enjoyable!
“Why did you come back so late?”
Uh–oh, Celeste knew he had been waiting for her downstairs just to
interrogate her.
“Dinner ran late, so I came back late,” she replied. She wasn’t inclined to lie,
and her excuses were rather feeble.
Kendric tilted his chin slightly, and his expression unmistakably conveyed
that he was well aware of she was lying.
“Playing games with me, and sneaking off to see Manuel Vader!”
His sarcastic tone followed, “and now you’re treating me with this
attitude.”
Finally, the voice turned into a teeth–gritting growl, “Celeste Alinsky, are you trying to provoke me?”
Celeste had expected that Kendric would know about her meeting Manuel.
She could even imagine the consequences of him knowing it.
She closed her eyes and silently counted in her heart when he would explode completely.
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