The Secret Beneath Her Name (Celeste) novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Journalists were starting to arrive one by one, but Celeste was nowhere to be seen.

Does that bitch take the money and just ditch? If she dares try that, I’ll charge her with fraud and send her to jail. Definitely, Chloe thought.

Celeste checked her phone and noticed it was almost right of lock. The press conference was about to begin, but there was no way she could get there by then. And the only way was to change the time.

“Ti tied sip at the moment, so I won’t make it by eight, Let’s move it to noon, Celeste said.

Hearing this, Chloe shot back, “What? Change it to noon? You’re kidding, right? I’ve told every reporter to come at eight for the press conference, and now you want to change the time?

“How will that make me look? Like some washed–up celebrity throwing a tantrum and keeping them waiting! This could ruin my reputation even more! What am I supposed to do then?”

I’m only going there to sabotage fier anyway, so why is she worried about her reputation? Celeste thought.

keeping her voice flat, Celeste replies, “I don’t care about your reputation. All I know is I won’t be there by eight.”

Frustrated, Chloe responded, “You promised you’d be here by eight. Why are you suddenly saying you can’t make it?

“Ah! I know it! Are you doing this on purpose to ruin me? How can you be so mean? So heartless?”

Before Chloe could hurl more accusations, Celeste hung up and turned to Marcus, saying, “Mr. Hale, I have something I need to take care of, and I might not be able to get back until the afternoon. Will you be alright here on your own?”

“Til manage. Marcus replied.

Then Celeste put her phone away. After picking up breakfast for Marcus from downstairs and leaving it at his bedside, she left the hospital.

Celeste had her exam at

T exam at Crestwood College at nine, so her next stop was to finish that before heading to o Chloe’s press conference.

As Celeste put on her mask and walked to the parking garage to get her car, a cry for help echoed through the air. “Help! Somebody, help!”

Normally, Celeste didn’t involve herself in other people’s business, but then she heard a man’s voice shouting the name “Reth Wells.”

“Could it be the Beth Ive been impersonating?‘ Celeste wondered. With a surge of curiosity, she started her car and drove toward the

sound.

Beth was on the ground, surrounded by several men who were kicking and punching her. Without hesitating, Celeste hit the gas and drove straight toward the group

The men flew to the ground, momentarily stunned, but before they could react, Celeste revved her engine and charged again.

Soon, they scrambled to their feet and ran off as fast as they could, casting glances back as they ran. The leader muttered, That woman must be insane! Charging at us like a maniac!

Once the men were gone, Celeste parked her car in front of Heth, who was bruised and battered, and got out to check on her. “Are you alright?” she asked.

Sitting on the ground, her hospital scrubs covered in shoe prints, Beth raised her hand to wipe blood from her nose and replied, “No, I’m definitely not alright”

Beth’s just parked her bike when a group of men appeared from the shadows suddenly. They’d threatened her, demanding she quit her Job at the hospital. When Beth refused, they started to attack her.

“Ive been working hard at the hospital, minding my own business. Why do they come after me? And why are they forcing me to quit?‘ Beth wondered.

Noticing the blood dripping from Beth’s nose, Celeste knelt, tilting her head back and dabbing at her face. “Why did those men attack you?”

Quit her job? Can this be Isolde’s doing? Celeste wondered, recalling how Isolde had pressured her to leave her position the day before. But since they don’t recognize Beth, they go after her instead, thinking she’s me.‘

So, the one they want to beat is me? And they also think I’m Beth? Celeste thought, feeling a pang of guilt. If it weren’t for my run–in with Isolde, Beth wouldn’t have been dragged into this mess.

Beth shook her head. “I mean, nothing serious. They just kicked me around a lot. And now, my whole body aches.”

Hearing this, Celeste felt even more remorseful. “Do you want me to take you to the hospital to get checked out?” she said softly.

Beth declined. “No, thanks. I’ll be fine after resting a bit. Thank you for stepping in

Celeste knew she owed Beth this much. After all, Beth had only gotten hurt because of her. Then she said, “You don’t need to thank me. I’ve got an exam to get to, so I can’t stay here.

Beth was surprised by this, thinking, “Why does she give me her number and help me? She asked curiously, “Miss, shouldn’t be the ones taking responsibility for what happened to me! You’re just the one who saved me, not the one who hurt me

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