Chapter 397
Although Celeste and Wynn both attended the symposium at Quendall University, they had absolutely no interaction the entire day.
By around three in the afternoon, Celeste and Matthias were preparing to leave the university.
As Bryson and the chancellor walked them out, Bryson extended another invitation, “There’s another seminar this Saturday. I wonder if the two of you…”
Celeste paused in her steps as her gaze happened to fall on Lilian, who was standing not far
away.
She quickly looked away, pressed her lips together, then replied, “I’m sorry, I have something important to attend to on Saturday. I won’t be able to make it.”
After saying their goodbyes to Bryson and the chancellor, Matthias finally asked once their car had pulled away from Quendall University, “Something was off with your mood just now. What happened?”
He had noticed her subtle emotional shift the moment Bryson mentioned Saturday’s event, especially when her gaze landed on Lilian.
Since there were others around, he hadn’t brought it up until now.
Celeste lowered her eyes slightly and said calmly, “Saturday is my mother’s birthday.”
Matthias fell silent for a moment.
It was the Shaw and the Locket families that caused her mother to spend years confined to a nursing home. No wonder Celeste had shown such emotion when facing Lilian and Wynn earlier.
After a long pause, he asked, “What are your thoughts on the Shaw and the Locket families?”
Celeste’s hand curled into a fist. “I don’t want to let them off easily. But-”
G
But with Trevor protecting them now, even though YodaVision had developed well in recent years, going after them would still be incredibly difficult.
Even if she didn’t say it aloud, Matthias understood.
He offered quietly, “Karma has its way. I believe the chance will come eventually. Don’t lose hope.” (6
Celeste nodded and hummed in agreement.
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Chapter 397
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On Saturday, after Celeste and Ivan personally made a birthday cake, they drove to the nursing
home.
It had only been a while since their last visit, but Isabelle looked even thinner than before.
Isabelle seemed completely detached, oblivious to the laughter and the heartfelt blessings around her despite being the center of attention.
Watching the staff cheerfully celebrate Isabelle’s birthday, Celeste and Betty felt like a knife was twisting in their hearts.
Just then, the director of the nursing home walked over.
Seeing their pain, her expression softened with sympathy. After a moment’s hesitation, she spoke, “This morning, we ran a health check on Isabelle and found significant deterioration. Multiple organs are showing signs of failure—”
Everyone’s faces went pale.
“W–What? How could this be?”
The director explained, “She’s been emotionally repressed for years, with little to no appetite. Over time, it’s severely impacted her health. Her immune system has weakened considerably,
So-
“Then–what now-?”
“We’ll need to run further tests to confirm the full picture, but… if the deterioration continues like this, I’m afraid—”
Everyone understood what she meant.
Betty staggered, nearly fainting.
After returning home from the nursing home, she locked herself in her room, dazed and
despondent. But no matter how heavy or painful life felt, it had to go on.
G
It was getting late. Though none of them had an appetite, they still had to eat.
Celeste took her phone, got in the car, and drove to the nearby supermarket.
She picked out a few groceries in a daze. While checking out, someone called her from behind, “Celeste.”
She turned her head and saw that it was Janet.
Celeste gave her a faint nod in acknowledgment.
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Chapter 397
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Janet smiled at first, but paused when she noticed Celeste didn’t look well. “Is everything okay?”
Celeste shook her head, not wanting to talk.
After paying, she picked up her grocery bags and was about to leave when Janet said hesitatingly, “Um… Mr. Fleming is at the Locket residence right now. Having dinner with the family…”
She was referring to Trevor dining with Wynn’s family.
Celeste’s expression didn’t change, but her grip on the grocery bags tightened slightly. She simply gave a quiet hum and turned to leave without saying another word.
That night, the Rodriguez residence was heavy with gloom.
Later, Celeste locked herself in her room to read.
It wasn’t until nearly 11:00 pm that she looked up from her book. Picking up her phone, she realized at some point it had run out of power.
After plugging it in, she went to take a shower.
When she came out and checked her phone again, she saw several missed calls.
Seeing that one of them was from Jason, she paused briefly, then called him back first.
Jason picked up quickly.
“Ms. Rodriguez, I just got a call from Mr. Fleming’s lawyer. They’ve completed all the paperwork regarding the assets. You can officially begin the divorce process now.”
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