Chapter Twenty Three
Chapter Twenty Three
Celeste’s POV
I fumed at Damien’s pigheaded words.
He believed that everyone was beneath him and had no qualms about letting them know. But he couldn’t be more wrong. Ryan and I were more valuable as individuals than whatever Damien’s current net worth was.
I deeply regretted marrying that man.
“What?” he scoffed. “You have nothing to say for yourselves?”
“You’re simply not worth our time.” I shook my head at him. “Come on, Ryan. We have better things to do than entertain this pompous jerk.”
I reached for his hand–hoping to walk away before Damien could waste any more of our time. But he wasn’t finished yet.
“I’m surprised you know such big words.” Damien smirked. “Are you here scouting for your next rich victim to mooch off of?”
Did this man get off on insulting people?
The lean muscles of Ryan’s body were coiled–just begging for release–as he looked back over his shoulder and his eyes found mine. His voice was low and dangerous as he said, “Celeste, please let me knock this asshole’s lights out.”
I shook my head, and he nodded, forcing his fists to unclench at his sides. There was something so appealing about the way he asked for my permission.
It showed how much he respected me.
I walked to Ryan’s side, placing a hand on his arm to help calm him down, and gave Damien an icy glare.
“Look, Damien, I know your grip on reality is loose at best, so I’ll spell it out for you nice and simple.” I said condescendingly. “Dating a so–called ‘penniless loser‘ is leagues better than being married to an unfaithful, narcissistic scoundrel like you.”
“So, you’re really dating this guy?” His nostrils flared as his gaze darted between us. “Is this your last ditch effort to get my attention? You’re pathetic, Celeste. Have some class, for god’s sake.”
Ryan glowered at him.
“No. You are the pathetic one.” He said with fire behind his words. “You failed to see her worth, and now you’re throwing a tantrum because someone else does.”
I stared up at Ryan in awe.
He was just a couple of years younger than me, but he had an unmistakably powerful presence when he put his foot down.
Damien wasn’t an easy man to defy. He was wealthy, appeared respectable, and walked like the entire planet should bow at his feet.
“Who do you think you are to speak to me like that?” Damien glared at him, then me. “How could you bring some worthless loser here who doesn’t know his place?”
Ryan shot back. “It’s time you get your head out of the clouds and accept reality. Celeste made the right decision
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Chapter Twenty Three
when she left you.”
He gave me an encouraging smile.
I beamed up at him. It was such an amazingly comforting feeling to know someone had your back. That they believed in you.
Damien opened his mouth to spit out a retort. I was about to cut him off, tired of hearing his childish and hateful words, when I noticed the event coordinator approaching us.
Seeing me with Damien after making it clear I wanted nothing to do with him or Imperial Aurum Group must have raised a few questions. The coordinator glanced at me and raised an eyebrow. I shook my head subtly.
If Damien found out I was Rosemary, he would find new and more torturous ways to harass me. This was the best retribution I could ask for. I got to reject him in the professional world as Rosemary after divorcing him as Celeste.
The coordinator cleared his throat, drawing Damien’s attention.
“Mr. Kent, Rosemary has declined your offer to collaborate with your company.”
Damien’s eyes popped out of his head.
He said, “Please repeat that?”
“The up–and–coming designer, Rosemary, refuses to work with your company, sir.”
That vein in his forehead throbbed so violently I thought it might explode. The rejection made him furious.
“Why would a new designer reject my offer without an ounce of consideration?” he seethed.
The events coordinator shrugged.
“She said that it was a matter of principle.”
“A matter of principle? That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.” Damien shook his head in disbelief. “ Bring her to me this second. I clearly need to talk some sense into her.”
The coordinator glanced at me for a fraction of a second before facing Damien calmly.
“Unfortunately, Rosemary has already left the exhibition.” He said. “If you leave your business card with me, I will make sure she gets it.”
Ryan sniggered next to me as Damien’s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. I discreetly elbowed him in the stomach. As much as I reveled in watching Damien realize he couldn’t have everything he wanted, I also didn’t want to get caught.
Then a sound reached my ears that made my heart skip with joy. I would have recognized that voice anywhere.
Bonnie’s sweet voice rang out behind me.
“Daddy!”
