Rosalie's lips tightened into a thin line.
"Jess, let's go," Celia said coolly.
Jess fell into step beside her, but as they passed, she deliberately bumped Rosalie's shoulder. "You'd better watch yourself next time."
Rosalie's face burned with fury. The moment they were gone, she swept her arm across the vanity, sending bottles of skincare crashing to the floor. This was all because of Celia.
When she had first returned, she hadn't considered Celia a threat. Now, that confidence was gone—replaced by a gnawing sense of danger. She had to do something about her.
Nathaniel Fu was taking a brief rest in his office when, the next morning, his secretary stepped in.
"Mr. Fu, Miss Rosalie has withdrawn the lawsuit. Young Master Lin has been released. The Lin family made sure the media never touched the story—it's been completely buried."
Nathaniel raised a brow. "Rosalie dropped the lawsuit?"
"It appears that Miss Celia and Miss Jess went to the Su estate. I'm not sure what was said, but when Miss Rosalie came out, there was a handprint on her face. Clearly, they slapped her."
Nathaniel's expression shifted slightly. She had taken Jess into the Su household and slapped Rosalie?
Just two days ago, she'd dragged his mother and niece to confront that wretched couple.
He hadn't expected her to be this… ruthless. She looked like such a harmless little lamb.
He glanced at his phone—still no messages from her. She hadn't reached out once.
A low, humorless laugh escaped him.
Later, with her errands done, Celia returned to the Yipinlan Villa.
"Celia, sweetheart, come have some cake," Mrs. Fu called from the living room. "I picked up a strawberry one for you."
Celia smiled warmly at the affection in the older woman's voice and joined her. After savoring a generous slice, she headed upstairs.
But as soon as she stepped into her room, she froze. There was a faint noise coming from the balcony.
What on earth…?
She moved quietly toward the sound—just in time to see a tall, broad-shouldered figure climbing over the balcony rail, pushing open the French doors, and stepping inside.
Nathaniel Fu.
Mrs. Fu had expressly forbidden him from coming home, yet here he was—scaling the balcony like some lovesick intruder.
Celia stared in disbelief. The high-and-mighty CEO of the Fu Group… sneaking in through a window?
Nathaniel strode in as if he owned the place. Catching her wide-eyed look, he arched a brow. "What? Don't recognize me?"
"…I recognize you. What are you doing back here?"
He closed the space between them in slow, deliberate steps. "You don't want me back?"
"That's not what I meant—"
Before she could finish, his arms locked around her waist, pinning her gently but firmly against the bookshelf. Then he bent his head and claimed her lips.
"Mmph—!"
The sudden kiss left her mind blank. He carried the crisp scent of cedar with an undertone of tobacco—warm, heady, intoxicating.
Her hands pressed against his solid chest, pushing just enough to break the kiss. Nathaniel's voice was low and rough. "What did you eat? Your lips taste sweet."
"Strawberry cake. Your mom bought it for me."
A soft, knowing chuckle. "So I'm exiled, and you're here enjoying strawberry cake. Nice."
"…," she muttered, averting her eyes.
"Why haven't you called me these past few days?" he asked.
Celia's dark eyes locked with his. She bit her lower lip, her tone syrupy-sweet. "Didn't I say? If you're not here, where you go is none of my concern."
Nathaniel studied her intently. "So you're not going to try to bring me back?"