“Shanice.”
Beck walked over to Celeste and gently took the little girl from her arms.
He noticed how completely soaked Shanice was and paused for a moment. Staring at Celeste, he asked, “How did she…”
Celeste didn’t know that Shanice was actually his niece. She explained quickly, “She fell into the pool, and I pulled her out.”
“Thank you,” Beck said sincerely.
“You’re welcome,” Celeste replied. “Please help her change into dry clothes, so she doesn’t catch a cold.”
Beck nodded. He looked at Celeste, intending to say something more, but Shanice’s cries interrupted him. The little girl was still terrified, so Beck comforted her and walked into the elevator, giving Celeste a quick nod before leaving.
Celeste returned to the pool afterward. After soaking in the hot spring, she changed into fresh clothes and headed to the buffet area.
Before she could finish her meal, Beck appeared again, holding Shanice’s hand.
“Mind if we sit here?” he asked politely.
Honestly, Celeste didn’t want to get too involved with Beck, but she could only nod. “Not at all. Please, take a seat.”
“Stay here, Shanice. I’ll get you some food,” Beck said, kneeling slightly toward his niece.
Shanice cast a timid glance at Celeste and whispered, “Okay…”
Beck turned to Celeste. “Please take care of her for a while.”
Despite her reluctance to interact too much with Beck, Celeste nodded. She promised to watch over Shanice for the moment.
As Beck walked away, Celeste and Shanice sat quietly across from each other. Shanice seemed shy, and Celeste worried that speaking suddenly might startle her. She wasn’t sure of Shanice’s eating habits or if she had any allergies, so she didn’t offer food casually.
After a brief pause, Celeste gently said, “Your uncle will be back soon.”
Shanice gazed up at her with big, trusting eyes and nodded.
“Does your nose still hurt from earlier?” Celeste asked.
Shanice shook her head.
Moments later, Beck returned with a plate for Shanice and a pair of utensils. Shanice quietly nibbled on her food.
“Is it delicious?” Beck asked.
Shanice nodded.
Beck glanced at Celeste. “Shanice, Ms. Rodriguez was the one who saved you. You should thank her.”
Shanice, still licking the cake off her fork, looked up and mumbled softly, “Thank you, Ms. Rodriguez.”
Celeste replied gently, “You’re welcome.”
Shanice then focused on her food again. Beck smiled and said, “It’s all good now. Eat up.”
Beck took a bite of his own food and asked Celeste, “Are you here by yourself?”
“I’m with my colleagues. Our company is having a team-building event here,” she replied.
Beck didn’t know that Celeste had quit her job at the Fleming Group, so he assumed she meant Fleming Group. He nodded slowly. “I see.”
At that moment, Matthias noticed Celeste from across the room and waved.
Celeste didn’t want to get too involved with anyone associated with Trevor, and she had nothing to discuss with Beck. Seeing Matthias waving, she used the opportunity to excuse herself.
“Thank you for what happened last time. I have something to take care of, so I’ll leave now. Enjoy your meal,” she said politely.
Beck noticed how stiff she seemed and that she wasn’t as warm as before. He assumed it was because of their previous unpleasant encounter at the racetrack. He simply nodded, letting her go.
When Celeste walked over to Matthias, he asked, “Who’s that?”
From his vantage point, he had only seen Beck’s broad, upright figure from behind, with a child sitting next to him. Matthias assumed that Beck and Shanice had been sharing the table with Celeste.
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