Chapter 26

It wasn’t until later that night that Celeste finally understood Alaric’s intention. “Celeste, you’re too drunk. Why don’t you stay here tonight and rest? You can share a room with Damien. Lucian can sleep with me…” Alaric looked at her gently. An unmistakable eagerness, a desire to reunite them, shone in his eyes.

She glanced at Damien and was about to refuse, but he beat her to it. “Grandpa, I still have to deal with some work tonight. I might not be able to stay over.” “What work could be more important than your wife? You’re staying here tonight to take care of Celeste. She’s very drunk. How can she be left alone like this?” Celeste lifted her gaze and inadvertently glanced at the man beside Alaric.

With his elbows braced on the side of the couch, Adrian leaned back lazily, fingertips grazing his mouth. He watched, a faint, inscrutable expression shadowing his face.

She looked away and glanced at Alaric. “Grandpa, I don’t need anyone to take care of me. I’ll just sleep in the guest room.”

With that, she stood up unsteadily and began making her way upstairs.

Alaric’s voice brooked no argument. “Damien, go after her!” His gaze pinned Damien to his seat.

Damien hesitated for a second, but ultimately couldn’t defy him and got up to catch up with her.

From behind, a pair of narrowed eyes trailed their departing figures. “Adrian, did you bring your driver tonight?”

Adrian withdrew his gaze and glanced at his father. He chuckled. “You’re keeping your grandkids here but leaving me out?”

“You know that’s not what I meant.” Alaric leaned in slightly and said in a lowered voice, “Your room is right next to Damien’s. It’s been a long time since those two have seen each other. Who knows…” He didn’t finish the sentence, but the implication was clear.

Adrian had always been sharp. How could he not know what his father was trying to say?

He smiled slightly and responded, “Well, I’m not sure if your plan will work.” Alaric couldn’t quite understand what he meant. Adrian was already walking upstairs by the time he looked up.

Adrian saw Damien standing outside a door when he reached the second floor. He was knocking. “Celeste, open the door now.”

He turned and glanced back as Adrian passed by. He was slightly stunned. “Uncle Adrian? Are you… staying over tonight?”

“Yes.” Adrian glanced at him indifferently before striding off toward the study.

Damien continued knocking on the door behind him. “Celeste, open the door.” Adrian noticed the door was locked tight as she walked past the nearby guest room.

Adrian couldn’t help but sneer. Alaric truly went all out trying to get them back together! Unfortunately, Damien felt nothing, while Celeste wanted nothing to do with him. How could he spark a flame between them?

Meanwhile, Celeste leaned drowsily against the balcony railing as an urgent, lacking echo resonated in her ears. She acted as if she hadn’t heard a thing and continued enjoying the view.

Having swept her hair into a quick ponytail earlier, the slight chill on her neck reminded her to undo it. But her tug was too forceful; the band snapped, sailing off toward the neighboring balcony. Her brows furrowed slightly. The rubber band lay in plain sight on the next balcony, separated only by the clear glass. Without a second thought, she lifted her leg and smoothly climbed over the railing.