Chapter Sixty Six
Ryan’s POV
I left the ladies chatting jovially over fruit with the excuse of needing the restroom. The moment I was out of sight, I made a beeline for the entrance and slipped out the front door.
The back window rolled down, and my father regarded my approach coolly.
“How courteous of you to come out and greet me, Ryan.” He said in that calm and collected tone of his that meant he was fuming beneath the surface.
Whatever I’d done this time, I couldn’t have this discussion outside Celeste’s studio.
“Father, you need to leave immediately.” I said, glancing over my shoulder. “You agreed to keep our relationship a secret.”
Maximilian’s eyes narrowed. “What am I supposed to do when you make me jump through hoops to see my granddaughter? I’ll escort her to her piano lesson since you’ve been too busy fooling around to visit.”
“I’m working, father.” I couldn’t keep the urgency from my voice. “We’ll visit you soon, so please leave for now.” Whatever storm was brewing, unleashed.
“You’re working?” He scoffed and flung a newspaper through the window. “Is this why you are so eager to get rid of me, son?”
Dammit! I shouldn’t have taken that car to fetch Celeste from the Mars party. But the way Damien had belittled her at the exhibition struck a nerve–she deserved only the finest things.
“Do you expect me to believe she’s still just your boss?”
The way I guided her to my car, a hand resting intimately on the small of her back, was anything but professional I couldn’t talk my way out of this.
“Our relationship isn’t any of your concern, father.” I said, folding the paper.
“It isn’t my concern? You’ve become the talk of the town!” He bellowed, flinging fistfuls of various magazines and newspapers at me. “Do you expect me to sit on my hands while I watch you embarrass our family name and throw away your future for a middle class divorcee?”
“I would expect more decorum from Crown Luxe’s CEO than causing a scene outside of someone’s place of work.” I said pointedly, fists clenched at my side.
Maximilian prided himself on his class and manners above all else.
His demoner shifted instantly. “Very well. We will discuss this at home tonight.”
I gritted my teeth and bent to retrieve the incriminating papers from the pavement–crisis momentarily averted. Mr. Cruz quickly exited the car to help me.
“Why’s there a strip of pink chiffon stuck in your front grille?” I asked my father as I handed him the pile.
His face took on a grave expression.
“We had a minor accident with a pregnant woman this morning.” He exhaled with relief. “It wasn’t too serious, thankfully. The mother and baby are mostly fine.”
My eyebrows shot up. “Mostly?”
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Chapter Sixty Six
My father waved a hand. “They just need some treatment and careful monitoring.”
“It was my fault.” Mr. Cruz said, standing beside the door. I am so grateful they weren’t-”
“Grandpa! My grandpa is here!” came Molly’s muffled voice.
I looked over my shoulder to see Celeste opening the front door with the rest of the ladies in tow.
“Please, father, roll up your window.” I pleaded, voice low
He pursed his lips in displeasure, calculation flashing in his eyes.
+25 BONUS
“Very well, but our conversation about this-” He gestured to the articles on the seat beside him. “Will continue tonight.”
I nodded, relieved when he finally pressed the button.
“Auntie Celeste, you get to meet my grandpa!” Molly said, tugging her hand.
I turned as they neared the car.
“I actually already met your grandpa when I was much younger.” Celeste said, squinting at Mr. Cruz. “Ryan, is this your father?”
The driver wore sunglasses and a puzzled expression. I swiftly wrapped my arm around Mr. Cruz’s shoulders, my gaze boring into his, before turning to Celeste with a smile.
“Father, you remember Celeste, don’t you?” I asked the confused man, hoping he’d catch on. “She was our neighbor’s daughter when we lived in the suburbs. You remember her, right, father?”
The driver hesitated for a moment before reaching out a hand.
“Please, forgive me, Celeste.” He did his best to mask his accent, but it still came through. “My memory fails me, but it is good to remake your acquaintance.”
Her brows twitched as her gaze lingered on his face.
“It’s a pleasure, Mr. Edwards.” She said, shaking his hand with a warm smile. “It’s been, what, nearly fifteen years since your family left our neighborhood? I guess we’ve both changed in that time.”
He nodded tensely and glanced at me from the corner of his eye.
Celeste eyed the Rolls Royce behind us and I scratched the back of my neck, thinking.
1
“Oh, my father works as a chauffeur now.” I said, smiling. Things are looking up for my family.”
Celeste nodded, but I could sense the hesitation in her gesture.
Movement beside her caught my eye. Molly was looking between the three of us, face scrunched in confusion. When she opened her mouth, a bolt of fear shot through my spine.
One innocent word from her and everything would come crumbling down around me.
