Chapter 523
Celia hated nothing more than people who betrayed love or abandoned their children.
It didn’t matter whether they were men or women.
That, in fact, was a big part of why she liked Tammie so much.
Because in every one of Tammie’s comics, anyone who cheated or shirked their responsibilities as a parent always got what was coming to them in the end.
They say stories are windows to the soul.
Reading Tammie’s work, Celia felt an uncanny sense of kinship, as if their souls resonated in perfect harmony.
They were the same kind of person.
So when Ann confided that Caitlin had cheated in her marriage-and had even gone through more than one abortion-Celia’s anger was immediate and intense. She was willing to use the Vitality music box, just to make Caitlin lose face. She wanted everyone to see the truth behind Caitlin’s carefully crafted image.
“Miss Gonzales, I’d advise you to think this through. If your hand gets burned, it won’t be worth it,” Celia said, her words putting Caitlin right on the spot. Everyone’s attention turned toward Caitlin, curiosity sparkling in their eyes, eager for her reaction.
This was the perfect moment to see if the rumors were true.
If Caitlin hesitated, it would look like she had something to hide.
And in their eyes, hesitation was as good as a confession.
But if she stepped forward and her hand got burned, the gossip would only intensify. Even if Caitlin managed to avoid injury but couldn’t open the box, people would still talk.
Celia had just declared that only women of absolute purity could open the lid of the music box.
If Caitlin failed, that would be all the proof anyone needed that she wasn’t as pure as she seemed.
Gossip was a powerful thing-especially with Caitlin’s divorce already painting a target on her back.
Unless Caitlin could open the box tonight, the wave of speculation would drown her.
The ballroom’s chandeliers sparkled overhead, casting a silvery glow across Caitlin’s figure. She stood beneath the lights, looking almost ethereal, moonlight woven into her hair. And yet, faced with Celia’s relentless challenge, she didn’t show the slightest trace of nerves. Her voice was clear and cool: “No need to think it over p>
Just four words, but they rang out like a fresh mountain spring-clean, crisp, and surprising.
Her answer landed in the ballroom like a grenade.
People gasped, stunned.
Everyone had already witnessed the strange power of the Vitality box.
Most expected Caitlin to make an excuse and slip out of the room. No one saw this coming: she stayed, facing Celia’s provocation with extraordinary calm.
“Isn’t Miss Gonzales a little too confident?” someone whispered.
“She really is. Don’t forget, in all of Valerium, only Miss Palmer has ever managed to open the Vitality box. Where does Caitlin get her nerve p>
“Blind confidence, more like! I used to think Miss Gonzales was clever, but now I see it doesn’t matter how you dress up a country girl-she can’t change what she is at heart p>
“That’s it, then. The Richardses’ grand party is about to become a scandal p>
Across the room, Watkins leaned toward Norris, worry etched on his face. “Norris, shouldn’t we try to get our sister off that stage p>
“Don’t worry,” Norris replied, eyes steady. “I know Freya. She’d never cheat in a marriage or treat life so carelessly. This is her chance to prove herself. Let the crowd talk-the Richardses are powerful, but even we can’t silence every rumor p>
As long as Caitlin opened the box, the whispers would die on their own.
Watkins still looked uneasy. “I just checked—apparently, only Miss Palmer has ever opened the Vitality box in Valerium p>
“It’ll be fine,” Norris said, determination burning in his eyes. “Freya’s about to become the second p>
Siblings shared a bond beyond words.
Norris trusted Caitlin’s
character and her judgment. If she dared to stand on that stage, staring
Celia down, she must know exactly what she was doing.
As her brother, as her family, his job was to stand behind her, no matter what. If
Caitlin stumbled, they’d be there to catch her.
He wasn’t alone. The rest of the Richards family felt the same; their support was unwavering.
As the murmurs grew in the crowd, Celia’s eyes glittered with triumph. She turned to Caitlin with a satisfied smile. “Miss Gonzales, you certainly
have courage. Since you’ve made your decision, don’t say I didn’t warn you p>
“Go ahead p>
She handed the music box to Caitlin.
Caitlin accepted it, placing her right hand on the lid.
In that instant, every gaze in the room zeroed in on her hand.
It was as if someone had pressed pause on the entire ballroom.
Celia watched, eyes narrowed. She’d been certain all along-Caitlin would never be able to open it.
Sure, Caitlin put on an air of composure, as if nothing was wrong.
Just wait.
Judgment was coming.
Maybe her hand was already burning and she was just too proud to show it.
Yes, that had to be it.
The crowd’s whispers grew louder. “Look! She can’t open the Vitality box p>
“She really can’t open it p>
“That proves she isn’t so pure after all p>
“She’s divorced-how could she possibly be pure p>
“Maybe she really did have an abortion p>
“Probably cheated, too p>
Celia’s eyes shone with satisfaction as she turned to Caitlin, “Miss
Gonzales, it seems you can’tnet
Do Pen”
the Vitality box after all.”.net>
“I really thought your heart matched your appearance that you were truly pure.
Looks like I was wrong about you p>
“Would you mind showing everyone your hand p>
Each word was a dagger.
The ballroom crowd, already suspicious, only grew more so with every passing
second.
“Maybe she’s already burned her hand and is just pretending to be calm p>
“My God, she must have a high pain tolerance p>