Chapter 93
Liam kept those details from Celena. She did not need to shoulder such burdens.
He was determined to restore Celena’s confidence, piece by piece.
“However, what if Grandpa does come to me, pleading? He’s not young anymore. It breaks my heart to think of him straining himself at his age. I’m really worried about his health… ”
That was Celena for him, always too kind for her own good. Even after all the hurt Reginald had caused her, she was still caring for him, fretting over his well-being.
“However, Celena, do you really want to spend your life under the
scornful looks of others? Don’t you want to go back to being a Stone? Isn’t that what you’ve dreamed about for the last seven years?” Liam pressed.
“I do!” Celena’s reply came swift and determined, but then her face fell, tangled in doubt. “It’s just…”
“There is no way about it. Trust me, I’ve got this!” Liam cut in, knowing her tendency to overthink.
Celena took a deep breath, calmed herself, and nodded. “Alright, I’ll trust you. With you by my side, I’m not scared.”
She squeezed his hand, drawing strength from the heat of his grasp, a silent reassurance that she was not alone anymore.
“Hey, how did you know they’d pick the one person who didn’t bring a gift today?” Celena blurted out, her eyes wide with curiosity as she recalled the incident at the Max Group.
Everyone had shown up with a present except them, and yet, they
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were the ones chosen. It was too strange. She had thought they stood no chance without money or influence.
Yet, they had been chosen. It was an uncanny coincidence. Did all those people know Liam? Liam grinned. “You think they’re crazy for picking us, the ones with nothing?”
Celena eagerly bobbed her head. “Absolutely!”
“Ha! What a bunch of fools! It’s no secret that Malcolm’s a war vet, and you know, soldiers have a code. They’re straight shooters and honest people. Everyone knows Malcolm’s not the type to take a bribe, but these guys are so full of themselves, always trying to one- up each other. So they think they can impress him with these fancy gifts. They just don’t get it. That’s not how you win Malcolm over. It’s practically an insult! Mark my words. Those gift-bearers might just find themselves under a microscope before long!” Liam said, laying it out plain and simple.
Celena’s eyes brightened as she listened, the fog of confusion lifting.
Liam watched her expression, looking for any hint of doubt. Seeing none, he let out a silent sigh of relief. It was not that he wanted to keep secrets from Celena; He had just returned and was still cleaning up the mess of the Cole family’s downfall.
He had to keep a low profile till then. If it were just him, he would not worry so much, but with Celena and Jovie in the picture, he could not take any chances.
As they got back to Jade Manor, Yafe and the rest made their way to the Stone Mansion.
There, in the grand living room, gathered the Stone family’s inner circle.
Reginald sat at the head of the room, listening as Cheryl spiced up the debacle at the Max Group, conveniently dumping all the blame for
the Stone family’s lost deal squarely on Celena’s shoulders
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