Feeling embarrassed, Celeste’s face flushed immediately. She adjusted the collar that Shanice had tugged.
Beck’s expression darkened for a moment. After snapping back to his senses, he turned around and shifted his gaze.
The nanny, who had been standing aside, was mortified as well. Luckily, they were the only ones there; otherwise, it would have been even more awkward.
The nanny quickly helped Celeste adjust her clothes.
Celeste was reserved, having never revealed so much of her body to any man other than Trevor. What made it worse was that the man before her was Trevor’s good friend, which made her especially uncomfortable.
After adjusting her clothes, she spoke in an unnatural tone, “I have something to do, so I’ll leave first.”
Only then did Beck turn to face her. “I’m sorry.”
Shanice, sensing she had done something wrong, looked at Celeste with teary eyes and softly apologized, “Ms. Rodriguez, I’m sorry…”
Celeste knew it wasn’t intentional and didn’t want to be too harsh on Shanice. “It’s okay. I know you didn’t do it on purpose,” she replied, smiling gently. She waved at Shanice before stepping into the elevator.
Beck watched as the doors closed. Speaking to Shanice in his arms, he said, “Shanice, you can’t do that in the future. Understand?”
Shanice nodded firmly. “I understand…”
Since Celeste had to head to the Fleming Manor for dinner, she left around 4:00 pm after the group activity. Matthias walked her to the parking lot.
“Drive safe, Celeste,” he reminded.
“Got it.”
As they were talking, a car slowly approached. Celeste didn’t notice it at first. The backseat window rolled down gradually, and Shanice poked her head out. She waved at Celeste. “Goodbye, Ms. Rodriguez!”
Celeste gave her a faint smile. “Goodbye, Shanice.”
She paused when she saw Beck staring at her, then gave him a quick nod. Beck nodded back and briefly glanced at Matthias before shifting his gaze elsewhere.
Matthias rubbed his chin. “Why do I feel like he was scrutinizing me just now?”
Celeste shrugged. “Really? Why would he do that?”
How could Matthias know the reason? He only felt like Beck was examining him. Hesitantly, he said, “Maybe he thought something was going on between us, so he has to keep an extra eye on me… for Trevor?”
Celeste’s smile waned slightly. “Trust me, it has nothing to do with this.”
Beck had a close relationship with Wynn. He would rather see Trevor and Wynn together. He and Miles might even hope Celeste had a romantic interest elsewhere, leaving Trevor alone, so there was no reason for him to worry about Celeste.
Celeste got into her car and drove off.
By the time she arrived at the Fleming Manor, night had fully settled in. Martha was the only one present aside from the housekeepers.
When Martha realized Celeste had arrived alone, her smile froze. “Where’s Jo?”
It was normal for Trevor not to return in the same car as Celeste, so Martha didn’t question that. But Jordyn usually accompanied her mother, so her absence was unusual.
Since her ankle had healed, and after having a meal with Celeste at the villa, Jordyn had not contacted her. Celeste had no idea where Jordyn and Trevor had gone for the weekend—or who they were with—and didn’t feel the need to ask.
Celeste smiled at Martha. “They should be here soon.”
However, she was uncertain whether they actually would. After all, a similar situation had occurred during the last hot spring retreat.
Martha didn’t press further. She trusted that Celeste was aware of Trevor and Jordyn’s schedule.
They chatted for a while, but by 7:30 pm, Trevor and Jordyn still hadn’t arrived.
Martha frowned. “Why aren’t they here yet?” She recalled how Trevor had missed the last hot spring retreat. Feeling frustrated, she said, “Cel, try giving them a call.”
Celeste took out her phone and dialed Trevor.
Trevor picked up immediately. Before she could speak, he said, “We’ll be there in 20 minutes.”
Just as Celeste was about to reply, Jordyn’s voice came through the phone. “Goodbye, Wynn.”
Celeste lowered her gaze. As expected, they were with Wynn. Seconds later, she heard Wynn’s voice as well. “Goodbye, Jo.”
Then, she heard Wynn speaking softly to Trevor. “I’ll get going now.”
“Okay,” he replied.
Trevor’s cold voice followed. “Is there anything else you need?”
Celeste snapped back instantly. “No.”
She was about to hang up, but Trevor ended the call first.
“What’s wrong? Is he not coming back again?” Martha asked, frustrated. “Trevor, he really is—”
“No,” Celeste reassured her with a faint smile. “They’re just stuck in traffic and will be here in 20 minutes.”
Martha’s expression softened slightly. “Forget about him. Let’s just eat. He can deal with the leftovers.”
Smiling, Peter reminded her, “Ms. Fleming is still on her way as well…”
Martha hesitated, then hummed. “I’ll let him off this time—for Jo’s sake!”
Celeste grinned quietly but didn’t comment.
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