Chapter 56 What will you do if one day you discover my deceit?

The night was deep when the car slowly pulled up to the villa.

Celeste was almost bare in the backseat, draped only in Nathaniel's oversized suit jacket.

As they neared the entrance, the flickering streetlights revealed two figures waiting.

"Sir!" Felix stood in front of the car, urgency written all over his face.

From behind the tinted car windows, Celeste's eyes met Felix's. She tensed up, gripping her hands tightly.

Felix looked defensive. Had Zoe and the others failed to destroy all the evidence? Was something up?

"We can talk about this later," Nathaniel cut in, stopping Felix from speaking further.

He caught a glimpse of Celeste's disheveled state in the rearview mirror and preferred to keep her out of sight from others.

When they got to the garage, Nathaniel carried her up to their room.

Lying in his arms, Celeste could faintly hear his heartbeat—a comforting, steady rhythm.

However, a glance at Felix's serious expression and the uninviting look of a stranger next to him sent a chill through her!

It looked like Felix might have really dug something up on her!

If her true identity was revealed right here in the villa, not only would she risk losing her position as Mrs. Ford and her covert plans, but she might not even be able to escape.

With quick thinking, Celeste frowned, bracing herself.

Once set down, she quickly thought of a plan.

Covering her chest, she shyly lowered her head and said, "Mr. Ford, I need to use the restroom. Can you wait here a few minutes? I have something to discuss with you."

"Of course," Nathaniel replied, his eyes filled with fondness.

Little did he know, these past few weeks, Celeste had stirred feelings in him that he had never felt before.

She seemed like the missing puzzle piece he had lost over two decades ago, now perfectly returned to him as if by fate.

Meanwhile, Celeste was feeling a bit panicky for the first time.

Unable to reach Zoe, she had to contact Sophia.

"It's an emergency! Sophia, I attacked the boss today, and they're suspecting my identity! I need to create a bigger distraction..."

"Oh! Alright!" Sophia quickly tapped out a few messages, then smirked without hanging up.

"But Celeste, if the boss is probably dead, why keep hiding? Just run for it!"

She teased, "Don't tell me, you've fallen for Nathaniel?"

"I—I haven't!" Celeste instantly denied it, though the flush on her cheeks betrayed her true feelings. "It's just that I haven't achieved my goal of having a child yet. Plus, Nathaniel is incredibly wealthy; I'd be a fool to just run off now."

Sophia realized she had a point, "He's so wealthy, we've struggled for years and still don't make what he earns in a month."

"Go handle it, I'm hanging up." Celeste quickly changed her clothes, relieved that Sophia was easy to dupe.

She looked up at the mirror and saw her face glowing from the indulgence, soft and tender with slightly swollen lips, clearly loved.

Sophia's question echoed in her mind.

Was she here just for the scheme, for Nathaniel's wealth?

Or, as Sophia suspected, had she actually fallen for Nathaniel?

"Everything alright?" Nathaniel's voice interrupted Celeste's deep thoughts. She quickly gathered herself, her gaze returning to its usual calm.

She opened the door to find him standing there, looking concerned.

"Felix just came by with some urgent news. You gonna be okay by yourself for a bit?" Nathaniel's voice was low and husky, his eyes scanning her face with a hint of worry.

Celeste looked better now, her cheeks had regained their color.

"No." She shook her head and tightened her grip on his hand.

Only a few minutes had passed, and Sophia hadn't had a chance to intervene yet.

She needed to keep Nathaniel here a little longer!

"It's safe here, don't worry." He probably thought she was still upset about something from the yacht. Nathaniel gently caressed her reddened cheek, his fingers lightly brushing past her lips as he reassured her softly, "I'm just outside, nothing will happen."

I'm actually worried about you, Mr. Ford!

Celeste mused to herself, her anxiety returning as she heard Felix knocking outside.

Nathaniel released her hand and turned to head for the door.

No, this can't be happening!

She couldn't let him meet Felix just yet. She needed to buy some time for Sophia—

His tall figure was moving away, his hand almost on the door handle.

In a rush, words blurted out of Celeste.

"Mr. Ford, I might be pregnant!"

"!!" Nathaniel froze, turning back around. For the first time, a slight tremble broke through his usually steady voice, "Really? When did this happen?"

Celeste nestled into his embrace, her face a mix of shyness and nervousness.

Twisting her fingers nervously, she murmured, "Not sure yet, just realized I'm a bit late."

The gentle-looking girl, was seemingly harmless, only her poised eyes betrayed her actual turmoil.

"Let's get a test. No, better yet, we'll go straight to the hospital," Nathaniel's voice was filled with a deep chuckle, joy spreading across his handsome features.

He couldn't recall the last time he had "family" by his side.

And now, Celeste might be carrying his child.

Nathaniel held her closer, as if he wished to meld her into his very bones, "Celeste, you're the best gift life could give me."

His voice, deep and resonant, filled her ears as Celeste looked up into his earnest, starry eyes, feeling as if she truly was his entire world.

Her heart missed a beat!

Nathaniel, your sincerity is overwhelming. What will you do if one day you discover my deceit?