Chapter 16 Philip’s Threat

“What do you want me to say?” Julian looked calmly at her. There was a hint of mockery in his voice. “Prenuptial agreement? Or postnuptial agreement?” Celeste pressed her lips together to conceal her anxiety and looked him in the eye. “What’s on your mind?” Julian put on a milder expression and stated clearly, “Don’t worry. I’m not going to divorce you.” He didn’t want to infuriate Edmond. On the other hand, Celeste looked dazedly at him. She had yet to wrap her head around the idea that the man was the Greatrep Group’s CEO. Under the warm lights, Julian glanced at the woman’s innocent-looking face and delicate skin. Her gaze seemed able to affect him emotionally. She looked like the woman he loved—Natalia Sawyer. Just then, he received a video call from Edmond. He came to his senses and connected it before putting on a smile. “Hi, Grandpa.” “Julian, have you brought Celeste to a high-end restaurant?” That was something Edmond had always kept in mind. “You guys only ate some pierogi during the wedding. That was so inappropriate. Therefore, you have to treat her to a nicer meal.” Instead of replying to him, Julian turned the phone around to face the dishes on the table before shifting the camera to the woman. An elated Edmond laughed. “That’s wonderful! Hi, Celeste!” His voice sounded gentle when he spoke to the woman. “Hi, Old Mr. Meister!” Celeste quickly took the phone from him and put on a bright smile. “Julian has been meaning to bring me to a nice restaurant. We finally have time to have a meal today.” “That’s great!” Edmond could hardly conceal his excitement. “I’ll stop bothering you guys. Have fun and enjoy the meal!” Julian could tell that Edmond was truly fond of the woman, and he hadn’t seen his grandfather laugh to his heart’s content in a long time. After the video call ended, Celeste passed the phone back to him. Julian rose from the chair and said, “Go on and enjoy the meal. I’ll take my leave.” He picked up the expensive jacket from the chair. Before the woman even sat down, he had turned around and left. Celeste looked at the closed door and felt dejected all of a sudden, even though she had no idea why she felt that way. It’s only natural that he neglects me. He’s the CEO of a big corporation, after all. No one in the world is obliged to treat another person well. She looked at the dishes and pondered for a moment before calling for the waiter to help her pack up everything. Then, she hailed a cab and went to her rented house. She decided to enjoy the meal with her mother and brother. “Julian is pretty generous.” Tyler was a teenager, and he had never had such an ample meal before. “There are lobsters too!” “Go on. Dig in.” Celeste ruffled his hair lovingly. On the other hand, Rochelle appeared worried. “Are you happy with the marriage, Celeste?” She felt that something was off about the takeaway. What was more, her daughter didn’t inform them about it in advance. As their eyes met, she went on to ask, “Has anything happened?” “I’m fine, Mom.” Celeste smiled while enjoying her food. “He’s gone on a business trip, so he doesn’t have time to visit you. So, he ordered these dishes and told me to send them to you.” Rochelle stopped worrying since her daughter didn’t appear to be sad. After dinner, Celeste helped her mother place the leftovers inside the fridge and said, “Don’t worry. I’ll settle Tyler’s school fees.” Then, she took the bus and returned to Lilies Lakes. Just as she was ready to close her eyes to get some rest, her phone rang all of a sudden. She fished it out and realized Philip was calling. Initially, she didn’t want to pick it up, but after giving it some thought, she still connected the call. “I heard you’re married, Celeste!” Philip bellowed. “Where’s the bride price?” “How dare you call me again?” Celeste replied calmly. She wanted nothing to do with him again, for her father sold her off for 30,000. He’s such a terrible father! “Although I’m not your biological father, I’ve spent years raising you. That’s a fact you can never deny. Therefore, you have to pay me back!” Philip tried to threaten her. “Otherwise, you’ll be an ungrateful brat!” An enraged Celeste hung up the call. The next moment, she received Philip’s call again. She was frustrated, but she knew that if she didn’t make it clear to him now, it would become a huge problem in the future. As such, she connected the call. “You have to give me 140,000 in a week! Otherwise, I’ll get it from your husband! I’ll replace out who he is sooner or later!” Philip threatened. “I’m sure you don’t want him to know what kind of family you come from.” Before Celeste could respond, he had ended the call, assuming that the woman must be terrified of such a threat.