Chapter 8 Sisyphus Charity Auction

The girl standing before him blushed, her cheeks glowing softly in the light, delicate like jade. As she tiptoed to dry his hair, she couldn't help pressing close to him. Her lips parted slightly, unintentionally tempting. Nathaniel felt a flutter in his pants; he was all too familiar with her softness, his newlywed wife, gentle and fluid as water. A shadow crossed his eyes as he diverted his gaze and changed the subject abruptly. "Did you grow up in an orphanage?" The intimate mood between them shifted. Celeste looked surprised and nodded, puzzled by his sudden question. The next moment, he turned off the hairdryer and pulled her into his arms. "It's been tough on you," he said softly. She was supposed to be one of the Sterling family's daughters, living a life of luxury instead of enduring hardships in an orphanage. His voice was soothing as he comforted her, his warm, firm hand resting on her head. "Did the Sterling family, maybe your sister Ava, ever treat you poorly?" "Just a bit," Celeste's eyes darted away. It wasn't really mistreatment since she never let herself be a victim. But her soft voice and evasive look made Nathaniel feel even more protective. Warmth spread through his chest, almost instinctively prompting him to make a promise. "With me, you won't have to endure those difficulties ever again." Celeste's heart missed a beat. She looked up, meeting his adoring gaze. He playfully messed up her hair. Something felt like it was about to burst out of her chest. Apart from her mother and a few teachers, Celeste had never seen someone show such open concern for her. At that moment, she felt a deep, unnamed reliance on him, believing this man could provide a sense of security she had never experienced before. "It's okay, I..." Celeste began, about to say Ava couldn't really bully her, but then she remembered her position and nodded softly, "I'm not upset, I have Mr. Ford looking after me." "Good girl." Nathaniel embraced her and they moved towards the bed, feeling a profound sense of contentment, as if he had the whole world in his arms. The girl in his arms was too sweet and endearing, her scent after a bath tempting beyond words. If he weren't concerned about her well-being, he might have given in to his deeper desires. …… Two days later, his team finally managed to extract information from Molly. "The boss has another identity?" After the Black Bear gang fell, the boss had been on the run for two months with no updates, which now seemed suspicious. "He must be planning something. Regrouping his forces, strategically operating in Sea City, and making secretive contacts. He's likely plotting revenge or... a comeback." According to Molly's statement, the boss had been extremely secretive, yet his contacts were among the wealthy and powerful. In Sea City's high society circles, it was clear that someone was still pulling strings for him. Celeste's brow furrowed, realizing that tying up loose ends was going to be tougher than expected. "We need to move quickly; otherwise, the repercussions could be severe," she thought to herself. But how to make contact? To keep her identity secret, she'd always had a single intermediary who reached out to her, and it wasn't time for their scheduled meeting yet. With her contact stuck in the police station, tracking him down wouldn't be easy. Her phone vibrated. Celeste answered and heard a warm, deep voice ask, "Where are you? There's a charity event tonight, and I've arranged for someone to get you ready." The Sisyphus Charity Auction tonight? Celeste's eyes sparkled. Nathaniel had mentioned it, but she hadn't taken him seriously. This was an excellent opportunity. She slowly popped a cherry into her mouth, her eyes gleaming as she spoke, "But Mr. Ford, I'm not up on their rules. What if I slip up and embarrass you?" A deep laugh came through the phone, "No worries, I'll join you as soon as I wrap things up here." "Awesome!" Celeste breathed a sigh of relief. In fact, it would be easier to navigate the evening without Nathaniel there; she could be more herself. After ending the call, Celeste's mind quickly hatched a plan. She'd heard Ava was also going to the banquet. It looked like she might have to rope her into dealing with the police station matter. …… As dusk settled, Sea City's grandest hall was a spectacle of opulence, with socialites and heirs stepping out of their luxury cars. Chloe, the evening's star, was dressed in the season's latest from Chanel, draped in jewels worth a fortune, capturing everyone's attention. She stretched her long neck, reveling in the crowd's admiration while looking out for Nathaniel. "Didn't my brother say Nathaniel accepted my invitation? Why hasn't he shown up yet?" "Just a sec, Miss! We just got word that Mr. Ford's invitation has arrived." "Really?" Chloe White, Isaac’s sister, stretched her neck even more, her eyes lighting up with excitement as she noticed some commotion at the entrance...