Chapter 15
Soon after, Celeste finished washing Marcus body and retrieved a fresh hospital gown from the cabinet. Then she helped him into it carefully and took the basin to the bathroom to empty the water.
Looking in the mirror at her now fully flushed face, Celeste couldn’t help but feel utterly embarrassed.
Celeste put the washcloth down, took a few steadying breaths, then returned to the room and looked at Marcus.
“I don’t see anything else you need at the moment, Mr. Hale, Celeste said. “I’ll get back to my other tasks. Call me if you need anything
Without waiting for Marcus reply, Celeste turned on her heel and bolted from the room practically.
Watching her hasty retreat, Marcus thought, ‘Am I that intimidating? She acts like I’m about to devour her or something!
Marcus leaned back against the bed, his breathing a bit heavier than usual from the lingering heat in the room. ‘Maybe I should’ve thought twice about asking her to help with that bath, he thought.
Dut in the hallway, Celeste pulled out her phone, planning to look up Ravenshire’s top universities. Just then, she got a call from Chloe.
million dollars you
Celeste swiped to answer but didn’t even get a word in before Chloe’s voice burst through the line. “Celeste, the 30 n wanted has been transferred. Do you get it?
Celeste glanced at her screen to confirm the deposit, then replied, “Got it.”
“Great, so now that you have the money, you’re going to follow through on our agreement, right?” Chloe asked. Celeste replied, “Send me the time and location of the press conference, and I’ll be there to explain to you.”
“Tomorrow morning at eight, Kingston Grand Hotel Chloe said.
“Got it,” Celeste replied and hung up.
Chiloe, on the other end, was far from pleased with Celeste’s brusque tone, I have paid her so much, and she can’t even be polite about at the thought, clenching her jaw in annoyance before turning her attention to preparations for tomorrow’s press conference.
After hanging up Celeste bought a flight back to Kingston for later that evening and then began browsing through university applications
The most prestigious university was Crestwood College in Ravenshire. It was a hub for the most academically gifted students. To gain admission, students had to score a minimum of 1550 on the SATs
Meanwhile, graduates from Crestwood College were highly sought after by top companies, with their degrees practically guaranteeing a high–valur rateer
This university wasn’t one you could buy your way into. You needed to earn your place purely through your abilities.
Even more challenging was their strict policy if your grades dropped significantly on any exam, you were expelled immediately.
It was considered a near–impossible school, yet every year, countless students competed for a spot, knowing that admission guarantees intensive, well–rounded training
nation, dorm fees, meal plans, and textbooks were all covered, making it feel like a massive charitable institution However, according to what Celeste read online, the reason they could offer free education and living expenses was that major
Ravenshire funded the university
Upon graduation, students hired by these companies were expected to generate enough business value within three years to repay the investment. If they couldn’t meet that target, they were required to repay double the initial investment as compensation.
To put it simply, it was like taking out a loan for school.
a failed in
Investment,
It started as free education, but if you couldn’t repay the university’s support within three years, it was treated as a and they’d collect the debt and interest
Chapter 15
Sure enough, there was no such thing as a free lunch, Celeste glanced at the admissions desk nearby, filled out her information, and submitted her application.
In reality. Celeste had intended to apply under the name Celeste Huxley, but since her ID still listed her as Celeste Sinclair, she decided to use it temporarily.
As soon as she finished, Celeste received a message f
from the admissions office instructing her to come for an entrance exam at Crestwood College the next morning
If Celeste passed, she’d secure her spot; if she failed, she’d be dismissed without hesitation. She liked this kind of competitive admission process.
After all, Celeste loved a good challenge.
Once her application was submitted, Celeste found a seat, took out her earbuds, and prepared to listen to some music.
Just then, her gaze fell on a broken bracelet lying in her bag. Celeste picked it up, a wave of melancholy filling her eyes. The one thing she’d kept for herself was broken.
Then Celeste put it away carefully, deciding to buy something to repair it when she had time.
At that moment, Isolde’s voice rang out above her. “Aren’t you supposed to be Marcus nurse? Why aren’t you in his room taking care of him? What are you doing here slacking off?”
Celeste said nothing, sighing inwardly. Marcus doesn’t need me for anything right now, so what’s it to her if I take a break?
Leaning against the wall, Celeste responded, “Are you the sidewalk? Why’re you in everyone’s way!”
“Oh, you’re slacking and still think you’re in the right?” Isolde said, her voice sharper and her hands resting on her hips. “As of now, you’re fired.”
Celeste shrugged with a casual “Oh, clearly unfazed, which only made Isolde angrier. She said seriously. “I said you’re fired. Why are you just standing there? Aren’t you going to leave!”
Celeste responded lazily. Tm employed by Mr. Hale. Unless he tells me to go, no one else has the right to dismiss me.”
Isolde continued, “Beth, you’re here as an intern nurse, supervised by this hospital. Even if Marcus hired you, as his doctor, I have every right to fire you if I see you slacking.
“So if you have any sense, you’ll leave on your own. But if not, I’ll make sure your internship report is full of red marks,”
Celeste blinked in surprise, thinking, Beth? Why is she calling me that? Is it because the uniform I was wearing actually belonged to
Beth?
I
So she thinks I’m Beth? If that is the case, then by standing up to the doctor, I may be putting Beth’s internship in jeopardy.
If her internship ends with a poor review, Beth may have a hard time graduating. I need to help her out somehow.
Then Celeste pulled out her phone and sent a message to Wesley. There’s a young intern at your hospital named Beth.
She’s run afoul of holde, and I’m worried she’s holding a grudge against her. I hope you can handle her evaluation report when she funshes her internship |
Since Wesley was well–known for his integrity, Celeste felt sure he’d give Beth a fair evaluation and spare her from any blowback
After sending the message, Celeste put her phone away and looked up at Isolde. “I didn’t know a low–level doctor here had the authority to fire anyone.”
low you know? holde retorted.
Celeste replied in an infuriatingly calm tone, I still don’t buy it. So I’m not accepting your dismissal, nor am I going to listen. I need to get back to Mr. Hale, so if you’re done here, please leave”
ion contorting in anger at Celeste’s
With that, Celeste turned and walked back to Marcus room, leaving holde fuming, her expression audacity
