The Masterpiece of Leaving：Prepared A Perfect Stand-In For Him novel Chapter 24

Lysander nearly crushed the phone in his grip. Only after several deep breaths did he regain a semblance of control.

"Hang tight. I'm on it!"

He raced back to headquarters at breakneck speed, only to find Celeste lounging in his executive chair.

"So, Lysander," she drawled, "satisfied with how things turned out? I told you I didn't want you bothering Navier."

In that moment, everything clicked. This entire catastrophe was Celeste's handiwork.

A bitter laugh escaped his throat as he snarled through clenched teeth.

"Well played, Celeste. I clearly underestimated you. But the Vanderbilt empire won't going down because of your little games. You think I won’t throw you into a cell and leave you there to rot?"

Celeste's smile remained soft and gentle—eerily similar to Ophelia's—but her words cut like ice.

"You won't."

"Just imagine poor Ophelia in a jail cell, eating terrible food, sleeping on a hard bunk, being bullied by other inmates. You couldn't bear it."

Her smile brightened further.

"Relax, Lysander. This little mess? Consider it my gift to you. You should actually thank me—I just helped you get rid of the dead weight in your company."

"I haven't broken any laws. I simply revealed the rot that was already inside your organization."

"Why not just stay here and fix your business? Why do you keep chasing after Navier? She's happy now."

"Your beloved 'Ophelia' is right here by your side forever. What more could you possibly want?"

Celeste couldn't comprehend Lysander's inner conflict.

He wanted everything, but life doesn't work that way.

Gaining something means losing something else—a perfectly fair exchange.

He should learn to be content.

Lysander's gaze shifted rapidly as he studied her, nearly choking on his rage.

"Celeste Stanley. You're just banking on the fact I won't hurt that face of yours. But what happens when you stop looking like Ophelia? Ever think about that?"

"When that day comes, I won't hesitate to destroy you."

Celeste embraced him tenderly, perfecting Ophelia's signature gaze.

"That day will never come, Lysander. But if it did, you'd be the one with regrets and fear, not me. After all, you love Ophelia more than anything... right?"

Her words left Lysander feeling utterly powerless.

He angrily pushed her away, conflicted as he stared at her face—a face he both loved and hated.

If only she didn't look so much like Ophelia.

Then he wouldn't need to hold back. He could deal with her however he wanted.

But that damn face was too similar.

Celeste dialed Navier's number with satisfaction.

"Navier! I hope you're happy. And if Aubrey ever mistreats you, I'll be the first one to set him straight."

Navier laughed, surprised that Celeste's first words after getting her number would be this.

"I'll pass that along to Aubrey. But how are you doing with Lysander? Everything okay?"

"Don't force yourself to endure mistreatment. With that face, he'd never harm you."

"To be honest, I regret asking you to stay by his side forever. I hope you get the chance to be your true self someday."

Celeste felt a wave of warmth at Navier's concern.

"Don't worry. I won't let myself be mistreated again. And this is my true self now—I don't mind playing Ophelia occasionally. I actually enjoy it."

"That's great!" Navier felt a felief.

After chatting for a few more minutes, Celeste finally hung up.

She turned to find Lysander still standing there, but felt no concern about his reaction.

There was nothing left to hide.