Chapter Seventy Four
Celeste’s POV
“Grace, you’re a lifesaver.” I said breathlessly as I ducked into her office nearly two hours late for work.
She looked up from her desktop with a warm smile. “After all the overtime you’ve put in recently, I’m happy to deliver an order for you.”
“I owe you one,” I said, slipping off my coat. “Did Julie like it?”
Grace tapped a finger on her chin. “Oh, she wasn’t home, so I had to leave her order with the butler. But with your skill, Celeste, I’m sure she’ll love it.”
She gave me an encouraging smile, but my stomach twisted
“A butler?” I echoed. “Shouldn’t a bespoke necklace worth five figures garner a personal touch? Julie is a referral from Celine Mars, so a shining review would really boost business.”
Grace chewed on her lip, brows furrowing.
“Damn it, Celeste. You’re right.” She looked down at her keyboard, shoulders slumped. “I wanted to wait for Julie, but I had an important meeting with another client I couldn’t miss, and piles of paperwork to get through.”
I swallowed my unease and squeezed her shoulder, smiling with reassurance.
“It’s not ideal, but you made the most out of a difficult situation. Thanks for handling it so I could take Bonnie to her pediatrician before coming in today.”
Grace nodded, brows furrowed with concern. “Of course. Is she okay?”
“Thankfully, yes.” I managed a tight smile. “She was the picture of perfect health when I dropped her off at preschool.”
She clenched her fists with a murderous gleam in her eyes.
“If I ever get my hands on that bastard, I’ll make sure he never sees caviar again without gagging on reflex.” She said ominously.
“You scare me sometimes.” I threw my head back in laughter.
Grace smirked, eyes glinting as she leaned closer. “It’s a good thing your knight in shining armor was there to save the day. You couldn’t stop speaking about how quick and-”
“Oh, would you look at the time?” I glanced at my bare wrist. “The jewelry isn’t going to design itself.”
God, I couldn’t keep getting distracted with Ryan.
I spun on my heel and bolted out of her office, leaving her giggles behind as I dropped into my chair. If last night taught me anything, it was that Bonnie was safer in my custody.
It was time to get the ball rolling.
Cracking my knuckles, I opened my laptop and navigated through the selection of top rated law firms in the country. My cursor hovered over a lawyer with a near perfect success rate.
A smile curled my lips as I dialed the number–Damien wouldn’t know what hit him.
“Raymond & Co., how may I direct your call?” a sleek and professional voice came through.
Chapter Seventy Four
+25 BONUS
“Good day. This is Celeste Kent. I’d like to speak to Raymond about securing his services for a custody case.” The secretary paused, and my heart leaped to my throat as I waited.
“Uh, my apologies, Mrs. Kent,” he said, unsteadily, “But Mr. Raymond’s services have already been retained by your ex–husband, Damien Kent.”
The phone nearly slipped from my hand.
“Unfortunately, the firm can only represent one party in the case, and Mr. Kent has pledged to pay double our usual f*e.” The man said, uncomfortably.
I closed my eyes, shock and fury flaring as I cut the call.
Last night, Damien had proposed we remarry–now he’d beaten me to the best lawyer in town. Was he trying to give me whiplash
Rubbing my temples, I dove back into a fruitless search until Grace knocked on my desk.
“Hello? You look like you’re a second away from throwing your laptop out the window.” She said, arching an eyebrow in question.
I slammed it shut with a frustrated sigh.
“You have no idea.” I deadpanned.
She grimaced. “Well, I need to step out to meet a supplier. Ryan’s taken a half–day and asked if you could fetch Molly today?”
“Perfect timing.” I said, pushing back my chair. “Seeing those angels will brighten my mood instantly.”
At Saint Ambrose’s preschool, I spotted Bonnie and Molly on the carpet, heads together over a puzzle. I leaned against the doorframe and felt my tension melt away as I watched my daughter and her sweet friend play in harmony.
Bonnie was happier and healthier than she’s been in months–this is what I was fighting for.
“Molly! Bonnie!” I called after they’d completed their puzzle. “It’s time to go home.”
They looked up, enthusiastic smiles lighting their faces.
I pushed myself off the doorframe, just about to head in to help them pack away the puzzle, when a familiar icy voice cut through the air.
“Fancy bumping into you here, Celest
Turning with dread, I came face to face with Damien and Vanessa–a glowing mother–to–be hanging on the arm of her charming man.
It was like a sick caricature of marital bliss.
“I didn’t realize your illegitimate child attends the same school as our daughter.” Damien sneered, eyeing Molly with disdain.
