6
Celeste abruptly opened her eyes, finding herself in a hospital bed.
She hadn’t died; the four–story building’s awning had cushioned her fall.
Lucky, maybe, but three broken ribs screamed otherwise with every breath.
“Honey, you’re awake!”
Xavier rushed in, looking haggard, like he hadn’t slept in days.
“Vivi can finally rest easy. She blamed herself so much, she barely ate.”
So he’d been taking care of Vivian these past few days.
Celeste pulled her hand away, scoffing coldly.
“With your attentive care, shell live to be a hundred.”
Xavier paused, his eyes darkening. “Do you have to be like this?! Vivi’s my subordinate, struggling on her own. It’s only right I help her. And if it weren’t for you, would she be going through this?”
It was still her fault, in the end.
Celeste closed her eyes, refusing to argue.
Just then, Vivian called, “Xavier, where’d you go? I’m scared!”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be right back!” He hurried out, then paused, sighing.“Celeste, you have me and the best doctors, but Vivi has nothing. Don’t always pick on her.”
Then he walked out, heartless. But she’d lost him long ago anyway.
For days, Xavier didn’t return. She didn’t care.
She focused on her recovery, quietly cooperating with the doctors until discharge.
But on the day of her release, company drama exploded.
Celeste was summoned to a meeting.
Vivian had leaked trade secrets, and the board unanimously demanded Xavier fire her.
I didn’t mean to,” Vivian cried, eyes red.
No sympathy. Accusations flew, a chorus of condemnation.
Enough!” Xavier said coldly. “I believe Vivian didn’t do it intentionally. I’m transferring 20% of my shares to her. She’s a shareholder, not an employee. No one can fire her.”
Celeste was stunned.
Ten years of fighting alongside him for 20%, and Vivian got it gifted to her in under a month? He’d said the controlling stake belonged to only them. Now, to protect Vivian, he’d shared that power with a third party.
Just like their marriage.
His love wasn’t hers alone anymore. It had shifted to Vivian, even more intensely than before.
Celeste lowered her eyes, a soft chuckle escaping as her fingernails dug into her palms, masking the pain.
With his protection, the board couldn’t protest,
Shareholders reluctantly left. As Celeste stood to go, two police officers entered.
We received a report that someone from your company, Ms. Vivian Bennett, stole and resold trade secrets. Is she here?”
The air froze. Vivian hid behind Xavier, clinging to his arm.
Xavier was silent, then spoke. It wasn’t her.”
All eyes on him.
Then: Our internal investigation is complete. It wasn’t Vivian. The mastermind is…Celeste.”
<6
He pointed at her. The world stopped.
What? Celeste’s voice trembled.“Say that again.”
Xavier approached, taking her hand.“If Vivi gets a criminal record, her career’s over. But you’re different. You still have me. I’ll support you for life.”
He handed a USB drive to the officers. “This confirms Celeste’s guilt.”
False evidence. She was trapped.
Celeste felt her blood freeze, a chill piercing her to the core.
She shook off his hand, staring at him with tear–filled eyes. Five years ago, during their lavish proposal, he’d vowed to support her for life.
This was his version.
“Celeste, you’re pathetic,” she told herself.
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