Chapter 60
Over the next few days, Madelyn was drowning in tears. The idea of leaving Melville family made her feel like her life of luxury and wealth had come to a
crashing end.
Celeste was fed up with her non–stop crying, so she hadn’t returned home.
for several nights.
Kendric was away on a business trip. On the night he returned, Celeste had been sleeping in her studio for a week.
That evening, before leaving the office, Sienna glanced at Celeste’s office
and noticed that the light was still on.
She knocked on the door and walked in, finding Celeste still deeply
engrossed in her painting.
It’s obvious that she’s gonna work overtime. Sienna took a quick look at the
folding bed in the office. “You’re staying over here tonight?”
“Yep, you have no idea how annoying it is to hear Madelyn wailing at home.
every day.”
“Why not come to my home?”
Celeste thought it would be awkward to meet Manuel, so she declined, “it’s
okay. I’ll just stay the office tonight.”
“How about coming over for dinner? My dad took your dad fishing this
afternoon, and he’s definitely going to invite your father to dinner tonight. Don’t
you want to see your father?”
Yeah, Celeste hadn’t seen Myles for nearly a week.
Redeemed Froin Caged Love
Sienna added, “don’t worry, my brother isn’t home for dinner tonight.”
Celeste agreed at that point.
Myles had already moved out of Vader family, and Celeste had rented an apartment for him. It was a two–bedroom one, with Cade living in the other
room.
On her way to Vader family, Celeste received a call from Kendric. She didn’t
pick up the phone immediately.
Until he was running out of patience, she slowly pick up the call.
The previous week, he was planning on a business trip abroad and had told
Celeste to stay at home. Instead, she had decided to sleep in her office the
following day.
In the days that followed, Celeste hadn’t called him either, and they had become distant, almost like strangers.
Celeste was pretty content with this situation, living life freely and seldomly worrying about anything.
They continued in this silence for a week until Kendric rang her up.
Celeste wore her bluetooth earpiece, “yes?”
The voice on the other end sounded somewhat fatigued, “I’ll be back home today.”
“I see.”
There was a brief pause on the call. They usually didn’t have much to chat about, and it used to be fine when Celeste behaved active. Now that she had
stopped taking the initiative, awkward silences were becoming more common
between them.
Just as Celeste thought the call had ended and was about to disconnect her Bluetooth earpiece, Kendric suddenly inquired, “where are you?”
“Outside.”
He pressed further, “where?”
She sighed, “I’m heading over to Vader family.”
ww
This time, the silence lingered a bit longer. His tone held a hint of jealousy
as he asked, “who are you meeting?”
Celeste couldn’t help but roll her eyes.
“What does it have to do with to you?”
Clearly, Kendric thought he had a lot to do with it. “Are you meeting Manuel
Vader?”
“Manuel isn’t home today. Satisfied now?”
His tone seemed somewhat more content than before. “Well, then come back early.”
He sounded as if she was gonna cheat on him. Celeste ended the call, tossing her phone onto the passenger seat, muttering, “such a nuisance!”
Upon arriving at the entrance of Vader family, Celeste parked her car just outside the courtyard. As she stepped out, she spotted Cade standing there.
He stood ramrod straight, one hand casually in his neck
holding a cigarette just between his fingertips.
In truth, having him here to protect Myles was a kind of punishment for him. He was Kendric’s most trusted right–hand man. He had worked for Melville family for years, from the time Caleb was in charge to Kendric taking over the
family.
Cade was twelve years older than Kendric and had been staying by his side
since Kendric was a child. Apart from Kendric, he didn’t hold anyone else in
high regard.
But now, he had been treated as an unnoticed bodyguard.
Cade had received special training, and his senses were sharp. As Celeste walked past the gate, he could recognize her footsteps.
He turned and stubbed out his cigarette, “Miss Alinsky.”
When he saw Celeste again, he didn’t bow and scrape or exhibit any condescending arrogance. He treated Celeste the way he treated Kendric – not subservient but respectful.
Celeste nodded and walked into the yard. Cade followed behind
After a few steps, Celeste stopped, “you have anything to say?”
Cade offered a smile, “I just want to ask how boss has been lately.”
He wasn’t pleading with Celeste to transfer him back to Melville family but was inquiring about how Kendric had been recently. To be honest, Celeste was quite surprised.
“I don’t know. He’s been on a business trip these days.”
Cade didn’t press for more answers. Their past clashes made even Cade himself feel embarrassed when facing Celeste.
Observing his somewhat downcast look, Celeste had complicated feelings.
After a brief pause, she added, “lately… he hasn’t been sleeping well. That’s
all I know.”
Cade nodded and said, “I see, thank you.”
It was the most genuine “thank you” Celeste had heard during her years in
Melville family.
She stepped inside and found her father engaged in an intense game of
international chess with Sienna’s father, Alexander.
Myles and Alexander were close in age and shared a fondness for fishing and chess. Ever since Myles had come to Vader family, they became good friends. They often got together to chat and drink.
Myles didn’t even bother with a greeting to Celeste. He was fully engrossed in the chessboard.
Celeste feigned jealousy and annoyance, “dad, you love your daughter more or this chessboard?”
Myles didn’t lift his head and replied, “of course, I love my daughter the
most.”
Alexander burst out laughing, “hey buddy, your daughter is right here, not
on the chessboard.”
Only did then Myles raised his head from the chessboard and wore a surprised expression, “Cely? When did you come?”
“Dad! Mr. Vader at least gave Sienna a glance when we walked in. Yet you
didn’t even spare a glance at me!”
Sienna immediately retorted, “no, it’s because my dad’s gonna be
checkmated, so he wanted us to distract your dad.”
They all burst into jovial laughter.
Suddenly, the front door swung open, and Manuel walked in. “What’s so
funny?”
