The two girls were chatting when Celia's phone vibrated several times in succession.
It was a video call from Nathaniel Fu.
Jess glanced at the screen and tactfully stood up. "That's your husband calling. I'll leave you two alone. Take your time chatting."
Celia tapped to accept the call. Nathaniel's refined and handsome face appeared on the screen, a cigarette resting between his fingers. He seemed to be in his office.
"Where's my mom?"
"She's staying here tonight," Celia replied. "She said she wants to stay a few more days."
A few more days?
Nathaniel took a deeper drag, coughing lightly. When would he be able to go home?
"Mr. Fu, don't worry. I'll explain everything to your mother," Celia offered.
He gave her a glance through the swirling smoke. "And how exactly will you explain it?"
Celia stayed calm. "Rosalie and I know each other now. I told her I asked you to come over that night to pick something up, and the entertainment reporter caught a photo and spun a story out of it."
Nathaniel looked at her for a long moment. She really had picked things up quickly. Not only was she unbothered by the rumors about him and Rosalie, she even helped cover for them.
If he really ended up with Rosalie one day, Celia might even hand them a box of condoms with a smile.
Silence hung between them. Then Celia said, "Mr. Fu, you don't have to worry about your mom anymore. If there's nothing else, I'll hang up."
So eager to end the call?
Nathaniel's gaze lingered on her delicate features and the bandage on her forehead. "Don't you have anything to say to me?"
Celia shook her head. "No."
She had no intention of begging.
No wonder she hadn't called in so long.
Nathaniel exhaled a plume of smoke, about to end the call, when Celia suddenly said, "Actually... I do have one thing. Is it okay if Jess stays over tonight?"
This was, after all, his house. If her best friend wanted to spend the night, she needed his permission.
Nathaniel's expression darkened. "What do you think?"
So that's a no.
Celia lowered her eyes. "I understand."
Nathaniel gave her a sharp look. "You're so concerned about where your best friend sleeps, but you don't care where I'm staying tonight?"
He had just been kicked out.
Celia met his gaze calmly. "As long as you're not going back to Pinlan Garden, wherever else you go... is none of my concern. I understand."
His eyes turned colder, his chiseled face slightly shadowed by the dim office light.
The tension between them hit rock bottom.
"You're really something, aren't you?" Nathaniel said with a cold laugh.
Then he ended the call.
Another unpleasant conversation.
Celia stared at her phone, confused. Why was he mad again? Last time, it was because she didn't know the "rules." But this time, she'd been nothing but polite. So why was he still angry?
Jess returned, and Celia sighed, "I wanted to let you stay here, but Nathaniel wouldn't allow it."
Jess grinned. "Cici, what are you thinking? This is the home you share with him. If I ended up sleeping in your bed, that would be way too awkward."
"I... didn't think of that."
Jess winked playfully. "Anyway, I'm heading out now."
"It's pretty late. Be careful."
"No worries. My driver's outside. Bye-bye!"
—
Cui Ri.
Celia brought Jess to the Su residence to find Rosalie.
Rosalie was resting in her room, recovering. When she saw them arrive, she wasn't surprised—on the contrary, she looked thrilled.
"So you've finally come to beg me?"