I walked through the towering business district the next day. I felt the weight of scrutinizing eyes—whispers, accusations, and subtle attempts to sabotage me. The reason? Olivia already spread lies towards me after what I did to her yesterday.
I sighed. It seems the defamation she did in my previous life became fast this time. And it still happens…
Tessa’s familiar, sickly-sweet voice drifted from a nearby establishment. She was there with some group of her friends.
“I did see Celeste negotiating with some man last night,” she murmured. “Maybe she really made a collaboration with the one she was bragging about to Olivia yesterday. Her contract with the Phantom, Inc.”
“I’m sure she won’t even disclose the terms.” Bianca, Tessa’s friend, scoffed. “She’s not that good. Or maybe that was her reason for choosing Phantom, Inc. over Blackwood. We know Celeste was just favored being the only granddaughter of the owner of Darkfang. She was just favored, not her being capable.”
“Or maybe some rumors were right…” Claire, another friend of Tessa, spoke. “Celeste must have seduced her way in with the CEO of Phantom, Inc.”
“Don’t say that…” Tessa said after she glimpsed at me. She knew I was staring at her and her friends. “Celeste wasn’t like that. She’s a friend of mine and I know she isn’t like that.”
I shook my head with a sneer in my lips. The audacity from Tessa was truly funny.
“You’re so nice to Celeste, Tessa…” Bianca spoke again. “Even in college you helped her a lot to have good grades. But what you get in return, her making you look bad in Raphael’s eyes.”
“Yeah, Tessa, you’re too kind,” Claire sneered. “And a woman like Celeste would do anything for power. She knows she’s not as good as you so she will use all her resources to make sure she won’t fail her grandfather.”
I exhaled, steadying my heart.
None of what they were saying mattered.
Last night as I had a business dinner with Lucian, I already had an idea how he made the Phantom, Inc. rise in power for just five years. He was brilliant and his Mafia organization made him more powerful than ever both in the business world and underground society. I didn’t ask Lucian about the rumors on his identity, yet he informed me beforehand of me being his mate that he can’t lie to.
The thought I had with Lucian last night in the restaurant vanished as I entered the Darkfang Tower when I saw Raphael waiting for me in the lobby.
I stepped closer to him and addressed him coldly. “You wanted to talk?”
Raphael’s sharp expression softened into a charming smile. “Celeste, I know you were just pissed by Olivia so—”
“Are you dumb?” I snapped. “Are you really going to lower yourself this time just to fool me?”
Raphael looked sad. He sighed. “All I want is to keep you safe, Celeste. That’s why I’m still here making you understand. This is not just for business, but for your safety,” Raphael said smoothly. “You know how much I care, right?”
Onlookers whispered enviously. The most powerful Alpha in the business world vying for my allegiance? Any other woman would have been thrilled. But I felt nothing.
In my past life, I thought being with Raphael and Alexander made me untouchable. I fought hard, believing my intelligence and hard work would secure my place at the top. But in the end, my contracts, my empire, my wealth—it was all stolen, handed over to Tessa while I was vilified by rumors.
And the ones who swore to protect me?
They orchestrated it all.
“You are always so lucky, Celeste.” Tessa’s voice came next as she was already inside the building and approaching me and Raphael. “Born into privilege, and now you have the most influential Alpha making you his Luna. I wish I had your kind of life.”
Raphael immediately turned to comfort Tessa. “Don’t say that, Tessa. You found your mate and true love with Jacob Harrington. You and Celeste are both lucky. And even if you’re married, I'll always be your confidant. Me and Alexander.”
I clenched my fists.
Not once had he ever made such promises to me with that tone. I faked a cough to disturb them. And when Raphael turned back to me, his voice was laced with fake guilt. “Celeste, you know I only care for Tessa because she’s your friend. I care for her and mostly I care for you.”
“Of course, I believe that,” I said in all the sarcastic tone I could muster.
Raphael smirked, as if I were a child he already thought of being fooled. “Come on, let’s celebrate our friendship. I will treat you both for lunch.”
I nodded even though I didn't want to. One last time with these two traitors and then I would soon leave behind. I messaged Lucian next, I informed him of my plan going with Raphael and Tessa.
At the parking lot, Raphael rushed to put Tessa in the front passenger seat.
Tessa perfect her hesitation. “But isn’t that seat supposed for Celeste?”
Raphael smirked. “She won’t mind.”
They only realized I hadn’t entered the car when the engines roared to life. Tessa rolled down her window, confused.
I smiled icily. “You can go. I’ll drive myself.” I headed to my car.
Tessa and Raphael looked surprised by my indifference, but they let me go. Yesterday it was Alexander disturbing me, now Raphael and Tessa.
As I drove, memories I had with Raphael and Alexander resurfaced. We had once been partners in business, inseparable. They had pursued me, claiming I was their equal. But after my parents died, I had only my grandfather left.
Tessa, an Omega and once an orphan, became my friend. I didn’t know why she despised me to the point of seducing the two childhood friends of mine and had turned them against me. I had funded Tessa’s rise, paid for her investments with her now husband’s company, and vouched for her in the industry. I even thought that she was honestly in love with Jacob Harrington.
“Where are you?” Natalie asked as she answered my call. “The front desk personnel said she saw you going out with Tessa and Raphael.”
“Don’t worry, Nat. I just want them to think they could still fool me.” I giggled. “Anyway, I called for you to entertain Alpha Lucian Sanguine of Phantom, Inc. Please tell him to wait for me. I—”
“I’m already here,” Lucian said as he obviously took Natalie’s phone. “And one thing I hate the most… you doing actions that could put you in danger.”
“I’m fine…” I rolled my eyes.
“No, you’re not. You are only fine as long as you’re beside me. Don’t ever forget that, my Luna.”
