Chapter 81

“We had dinner together tonight, so Mr. Adrian drove us back,” said Celeste, lifting her mesmerizing eyes to gaze at Damien coldly.

Damien’s brow furrowed sharply as he asked, “Wait, you guys had dinner together?”

“Why? What’s so surprising about that?” Celeste’s tone was icy. “Mr. Adrian is Eloise’s godfather, and she’s now under my care.”

“Isn’t it normal for him to drop by and check on her every now and then?”

“Celeste, you won’t even look at your own son, but you’re taking care of someone else’s child. Don’t you think what you’re doing is kind of ridiculous?” Damien shot back.

Celeste curled her lips into a sarcastic smile. “You and Lucy really are two peas in a pod. You sound exactly alike.”

“Did I lie, though?” he retorted.

Celeste wasn’t interested in arguing with him and replied flatly, “If you don’t have anything important to say, don’t waste my time. We’re done here.”

“Stay away from Uncle Adrian. Let him take care of the child. You aren’t allowed to look after someone else’s kid.” Damien’s voice was chilling as his gaze landed on Eloise.

Eloise just happened to glance up and meet his eyes. She instinctively lowered her head, moved a little closer to Celeste, and unknowingly tightened her grip on Celeste’s hand. Celeste could immediately sense her unease and confusion.

She pulled Eloise behind her, her voice rising as she confronted him. “Damien, I’m already divorcing you. Why do you care who I take care of?”

“Why don’t you just send Lucian over if you’re really that bothered by me looking after someone else’s kid? But I doubt you’ll actually do that.”

Damien’s expression darkened for a moment. Of course, he wouldn’t be willing to let that happen. Even though their relationship was rocky, Lucian was his only son. There was no way he’d let her raise him.

“Since you clearly have no intention of letting me take care of Lucian, what’s the point of this petty back-and-forth?”

“I just think it’s inappropriate for you to look after Uncle Adrian’s child.”

Celeste’s expression hardened. “She’s just his goddaughter, not his biological daughter. Why are you making such a fuss?”

“I’m not making a fuss. I’m just worried about what people might say! And Grandpa thinks you’re only temporarily looking after the child. But it seems like you’re planning to keep her long-term, aren’t you?”

Celeste’s gaze turned even colder at his words. She knew that Damien would try to stir up trouble if he found out that she had adopted Eloise. Hence, she couldn’t let him know about that. Otherwise, all the effort she and Adrian had put into this would be for nothing.

“I think it’s your uncle you should be talking to, not me.”

“What do you mean?” Damien looked confused. “Are you saying that Uncle Adrian insisted on letting you take the child?”

Celeste’s tone remained composed. “Eloise no longer has parents, and Mr. Adrian is busy with work. Do you really think he has the time to take care of a child?”

“Uncle Adrian has several housekeepers at home. Can’t they take care of the kid?”

“Like I said before, if you’re really that curious, you should ask your uncle!”

Celeste pulled Eloise’s hand and quickly headed toward the door. “I have other things to do. I’ll be on my way.”

Before Damien could respond, she had already dragged Eloise inside. Damien’s gaze turned dark and intense as he watched her walk away.

Ask Adrian himself? Would he be willing to waste his time on something so trivial?

Back at home, Celeste found Annie resting on the couch.

Annie asked, “You’re back?”

“Yes, Ms. Cooper!” Eloise exclaimed, rushing over to hug Annie’s arm, her smile soft.