The Masterpiece of Leaving：Prepared A Perfect Stand-In For Him novel Chapter 20

"Really? Then explain why you were living at Navier's Lakeside Villa during that whole month-long divorce waiting period."

Lysander hurled his phone into Celeste's lap. On screen was the damning investigation report about her.

"If I hadn’t dug deeper, I’d still be in the dark."

"You and Navier coordinated quite brilliantly. This whole Ophelia impersonation act—you were betting I'd go soft over that face of yours, weren't you?"

He gripped Celeste's throat violently, his mind a chaotic whirlwind of conflicting emotions, acting purely on instinct.

Though tears involuntarily sprang from her eyes from the pain, Celeste remained remarkably composed. Instead of panic, she displayed her first genuine smile in days.

"Of course, you were supposed to fall for it. You love Ophelia, don’t you? I played my role perfectly. Why still chase after Navier? I can be your Ophelia—I'll play that role for the rest of your life if that's what you want."

"Navier doesn't love you anymore. She's finally started a new chapter. Stop disrupting her life, Lysander."

She said his name in Ophelia's exact intonation.

Lysander reflexively loosened his grip on her throat, disgust churning inside him.

But seeing the red marks forming on her neck, he felt a conflicting pang of regret and concern.

"Celeste Stanley, from now on, just be Ophelia's stand-in. I won't love you, and I definitely won't marry you! Get any ridiculous ideas out of your head."

He shot her one final glare, signaled for his security team to watch her, then turned away without hesitation. He boarded the waiting helicopter, bound for England to bring Navier back.

One way or another, she owed him an explanation!

Celeste struggled against the security team, trying to break free.

The bodyguards reluctant to harm her, handled her with excessive care.

Recognizing this weakness, she made a desperate dash toward Lysander's helicopter.

But she was too late.

The aircraft had already lifted off.