Thorns Grow After Betrayal (Celeste and Chester) novel Chapter 348

Celestine's voice was frigid. "Do I need to remind you who framed me for pushing the Fordham patriarch into the water at his birthday banquet, all while insisting—"

"Mom, please stop!" Raymond cut her off, his voice filled with pain.

The memories of that setup swirled in his mind.

That frame-up was the most regrettable thing he had ever done! Bar none!

Thinking back now, if that hadn't happened, if he hadn't so easily believed Joanna, would his mother have given up on him so hopelessly?

He had actually said something as stupid as he hated his own mother!

Raymond's tears fell. "Mom, if that hadn't happened, would you still love me like you used to?"

Celestine's expression was complicated, and she remained silent.

But in her eyes, Raymond found his answer.

Raymond couldn't accept this truth.

It was even more painful than if she had just said she hated him outright.

"Mom, is it because of that girl from yesterday that you hate me? I can change. It was just a momentary lapse in judgment." He stepped forward and took Celestine's hand, his eyes pleading, holding on to a final shred of hope.

Celestine glanced at him coolly.

There had been many chances, but what was the point of trying to grab hold of them when it was already too late?

Raymond asked expectantly, "Mom, please say something. Is that it?"

"Then let me ask you, between me and Joanna, who do you choose?"

"I choose you, Mom," Raymond answered without a moment's hesitation.

Celestine continued, "Then if she were to call you right now, would you answer?"

Faced with this question, Raymond clearly hesitated.

"Mom, I can't lie. What if Joanna is calling about something urgent? It wouldn't be right not to answer."

A flicker of something passed through Celestine's eyes. "Is that so?"

He asked tentatively, "Mom, that number has been calling you constantly. It might be something urgent. We should answer it."

"Fine."

Celestine answered the call, put it on speaker, and handed the phone to Raymond, signaling for him to take the call.

"Celestine, you finally decided to pick up."

Joanna's sinister voice came through the phone.

Raymond didn't dare make a sound.

But he immediately recognized that it was really Joanna.

"Hah, I'm at Silvermere right now, in Chester's private villa. It's so huge here. I wonder if you regret it, living in that tiny little apartment of yours?"

"But it doesn't matter. You're already divorcing Chester. As soon as he wakes up, the lady of this house will be me, Joanna. Chester and I will have our own children and build a happy family."

"You really are an idiot. I just provoked you a little, and you actually divorced Chester. But you'd better be smart about it and not ask for anything during the asset division. If you want those two stupid kids of yours, I can help you with that."