Chapter 4 - Quiet Warnings
Edmund received the engagement invitation while sitting in his own breakfast room.
Mrs. Alvarez placed the ivory envelope beside his coffee.
“You are invited to Vale Estate, sir,” she said.
A rare smile appeared on his face.
“How generous.”
The invitation described the estate as the location for “the beginning of a new Laurent-Vale legacy.” It promised two hundred guests, live musicians, imported flowers, and a formal announcement concerning the couple’s future charitable foundation.
Edmund had approved none of it.
Adrian was furious when he learned what had happened.
“I will cancel it.”
Edmund shook his head.
“No.”
“They cannot organize an event here without permission.”
“They already have.”
“That is exactly why it should be stopped.”
Edmund folded the invitation.
“Sometimes it is useful to let people believe they have succeeded.”
Adrian studied his grandfather.
“You think Celeste planned this?”
“I think her mother planned the dinner. I think her father expects to use our guests as proof that Vale Holdings supports his hotels. And I think Celeste knows more than she tells you.”
Adrian stood from the table.
“You have never liked her.”
“That is not true. I wanted to like her.”
“You have treated her like an investigation.”
“Because people who work here are afraid of her.”
Adrian’s anger faded slightly.
“What are you talking about?”
Edmund opened a drawer and removed several written statements.
He did not hand them over immediately.
“The maid who spilled champagne. The driver who waited outside the boutique. The kitchen assistant who was transferred. The gardener whose work she destroyed.”
Adrian’s face changed as he read.
“She said the assistant wanted a different position.”
“She lied.”
“These statements could be misunderstandings.”
“They could.”
Adrian looked relieved by the possibility.
Edmund continued.
“That is why I have not asked you to end the engagement.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Watch her when she believes no one powerful is present.”
Adrian placed the papers on the table.
“You are asking me to spy on the woman I am going to marry.”
“I am asking you not to close your eyes.”
Adrian left the room without answering.
For several days, he avoided the estate. He told himself the staff reports were exaggerated. Celeste was demanding, perhaps, but she had grown up in a formal household. She expected high standards.
Then he visited her unexpectedly at one of the Laurent hotels.
In the lobby, Celeste stood with a young receptionist.
“I do not care what the reservation system says,” Celeste hissed. “Move the family out of the suite.”
“They have a sick child, ma’am. The room is close to the elevator.”
“My mother’s friends want it.”
“We have another suite available on the upper floor.”
“Then put the sick child there.”
The receptionist looked distressed.
“Please, Miss Laurent.”
Celeste leaned closer.
“You work for my family. Do what you are told.”
Adrian stepped into view.
Celeste froze.
For one second, he saw something in her face he had never seen before.
Not embarrassment.
Not regret.
Only the rapid calculation of someone deciding which lie would work best.
She smiled.
“Adrian. You should have called.”
He looked at the receptionist.
“Keep the family in their room.”
Celeste’s smile disappeared.
Outside the hotel, she accused him of undermining her.
“You humiliated me in front of an employee.”
“You were removing a sick child from a room for no reason.”
“My mother promised that suite to important guests.”
“They were important because they were wealthy?”
“That is not what I said.”
“It is what you meant.”
Celeste folded her arms.
May you like
“You sound exactly like your grandfather.”
For the first time, Adrian did not take it as an insult.
