58:Celeste's Secret

Celeste's Secret

The next morning, Ophelia arrived at the gallery earlier than usual.

She needed to think.

The information Anonymous had found about Celeste was too important to ignore, but she wasn't going to rush into a confrontation.

She opened her notebook.

Celeste Harrison

Former university student assistant

Worked with the Fine Arts Department

Left three weeks before April disappeared

Possibly connected to Evan Cole

She stared at the list.

There were too many connections.

Yet nothing was strong enough to prove anything.

Her phone vibrated.

Anonymous had sent another message.

I found the reason Celeste left the university.

Ophelia immediately called him.

"What happened?"

"Her employment record says she resigned."

"That's normal."

"It would be, except the resignation letter doesn't exist."

Ophelia frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"Her personnel file is missing the letter."

"Who signed her clearance?"

There was a pause.

"That's the interesting part."

"Who?"

"An administrator named Richard Moore."

Ophelia wrote the name down.

"Do you know him?"

"No. But I know his connection."

She waited.

"Richard Moore was one of the university trustees."

"And?"

"He was also the father of Lillian Moore."

Ophelia's eyes widened.

Lillian.

The woman who had warned her at the gala.

The woman who had told her that every powerful family had shadows.

Another connection.

Another name.

That evening, Ophelia received an invitation to the Ashford estate.

She almost declined.

Then she remembered that Celeste would be there.

She accepted.

When she arrived, Ethan greeted her at the entrance.

"I'm glad you came."

"So am I."

They walked into the living room.

Elena was sitting by the fireplace, reading.

Celeste was nearby.

Ophelia greeted them both politely.

Celeste smiled.

"It's good to see you again."

"Likewise."

Their eyes met.

For a brief second, Ophelia noticed something change in Celeste's expression.

Recognition.

Fear.

Then it disappeared.

Ophelia noticed.

She always noticed.

During dinner, the conversation remained light.

Elena spoke about an upcoming family charity event.

Ethan talked about work.

Nathan barely spoke.

Celeste remained unusually quiet.

At one point, Ophelia noticed her staring at the glass in front of her.

Her hand was trembling slightly.

"Are you alright?" Ophelia asked.

Celeste looked up.

"I'm fine."

She smiled.

"Just tired."

Ophelia nodded.

She didn't press.

Not yet.

Later, while everyone else remained in the dining room, Ophelia stepped into the hallway.

She heard footsteps behind her.

Celeste.

"Ophelia."

She turned.

"Yes?"

Celeste looked around before speaking.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"How long have you known Ethan?"

Ophelia paused.

"Not very long."

Celeste nodded slowly.

"You should be careful."

"About what?"

Celeste's expression changed.

"I shouldn't have said anything."

She started to walk away.

Ophelia stopped her.

"Celeste."

The older woman turned.

"You knew my sister, didn't you?"

The silence that followed was immediate.

Celeste's face went pale.

"What did you say?"

"My sister."

"April Hayes."

Celeste stared at her.

For several seconds, she didn't speak.

Then she whispered,

"Who told you about her?"

Ophelia's heart began pounding.

Before she could answer, Celeste stepped closer.

"You need to stop asking questions."

"Why?"

"Because some people will do anything to keep the past buried."

Then she walked away.

Ophelia remained in the hallway.

She had finally gotten the reaction she wanted.

Celeste knew April.

But before she could follow her, Ethan appeared at the end of the hallway.

"Everything alright?"

Ophelia turned toward him.

She forced a smile.

"Yes."

But inside...

She knew something had changed.

Celeste was no longer just another name in April's story.

She was part of it.