Terence's sentence was short and sweet, but his words made Celeste's blood run cold. The boxing match they were watching that day was a professional one, and the boxers would fight to the death to please the audience.
The more blood there was, the more excitement it would bring about. She wouldn't just end up becoming a joke if she were sent up there—she probably wouldn't even make it out alive!
She couldn't believe Terence could be this cruel just to get back at her on Winona's behalf!
Celeste started laughing. She laughed so hard that tears streamed down her face.
"Don't you think an apology is the least you can do, Celeste? You stole from Winona and even hurt her! What right do you have to cry?" A trace of impatience flashed in Terence's eyes.
The bodyguards closed in on Celeste, and despair washed over her. She bit the inside of her cheek so hard that it drew blood, then mustered all her strength to shove the bodyguards away.
After that, she lunged forward and slapped Terence hard across the face, using all of her might. The crisp sound echoed in the silent hall.
"I didn't steal anything, so I'm not apologizing!" Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably as she tried to keep her sobs at bay. "Why do you think I kicked her? Because she framed me for something I didn't do and tried to strip me without any proof!
"Should I have let her humiliate me as everyone watched instead of pushing her away? You believe everything Winona Ford tells you without even thinking whether it makes sense! What do you take me for, Terence? What exactly do you take me for?"
Celeste's eyes brimmed with tears, and anguish colored her voice. She'd always been calm and composed, so this was her first time losing control of her emotions.
Terence was taken aback. He stared at her, suddenly feeling his chest clench uncomfortably.
Just then, Winona approached. She said, "Alright, alright. I'm sure Celeste didn't mean for this to happen. The bodyguards misunderstood me. Anyway, the necklace has been found. I'll let this matter slide."
Her attitude did a 180, and she smiled faintly. However, it didn't reach her eyes. As she picked up a wine glass, she looked at Celeste and mouthed, "You're done for."
Then, she leaned close and poured the wine on herself before dropping the glass on the floor, making it shatter. She staggered backward, her eyes reddening. Coincidentally enough, she slipped on the glass shards and lost her balance, falling right into Terence's waiting arms.
"Celeste, I genuinely wanted to bury the hatchet and move past this. How could you…" She hissed and lifted the hem of her gown to reveal a thin scratch. "It hurts…"
The crowd was immediately abuzz.
"She really has no manners—not that she had any parents to teach them to her! It's bad enough that she stole from Ms. Ford. Look at how she rejected Ms. Ford's attempt to make things up to her and even got physical with her! That's guilt written all over her face!"
"Her parents are probably turning in their graves, knowing that she's so uncivilized."
Amid the comments, Terence snarled, "Celeste Lodge!"
Celeste saw the smugness in Winona's eyes and knew this was yet another of her favorite tricks. She sneered inwardly, dried her tears, and stepped forward. She grabbed another wine glass and shattered it at Winona's feet.
Then, she grabbed Winona and shoved her hard as the latter watched in horror. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she fell right onto the glass shards.
She screamed in pain and cried, "Terence!"
This time, she was genuinely hurt.
Celeste said icily, "Stop using your tricks on me, Winona. I'll get back at you each time you try me."
She wiped the wine that had gotten onto her fingers and watched as Terence lifted Winona into his arms, his gaze brimming with heartache. Then, it became filled with venom as he glared at Celeste.
There was no doubt in her mind that he would kill her if anything else happened to Winona. Her breathing hitched, and she swallowed her humiliation as she turned and left.
Terence came running after Celeste as soon as she stepped out of the venue. "Stop right there! Apologize to Winona right now!"
He pressed a hand to the car door, stopping her from getting in. She glanced at him before shoving him aside and getting in.
As she shut the door, she heard his icy voice, "Don't regret this, Celeste!"
