Chapter <b>267 </b>
<b>Matthias </b>had been to the Rodriguez residence before, so he delivered the fireworks directly.
As for Beck, to avoid unnecessary trouble<b>, </b>Celeste gave hiru address near the Rodriguez residence instead.
At <b>around </b>2:00 pm, Celeste drove to the meeting spot.
Over the phone, Beck had <b>said </b>he would have someone deliver the fireworks to her. However, after parking her car, Celeste <b>was </b>surprised to see Beck himself.
Beck said, “You’re here.”
“Mm.”
“Open the trunk.”
After Celeste opened the trunk, Beck loaded the fireworks and some gifts into it.
Seeing the gifts, Celeste couldn’t help but say, “There’s no need for these-”
“Shanice asked me to bring them to you.”
She then ced a friendship bracelet she had <b>made</b>, along with some gifts she bought after lunch, into Beck’s car. “These are for Shanice.”
Beck smiled <b>and </b>said, “Alright.”
Among the gifts she prepared, he noticed a thick, plush rabbit. He picked it up and asked, “What’s this?”
“It’s a rabbit light <b>wand</b>,” Celeste exined. “I bought two–one is a bear, and one is a rabbit. Kids will probably like them.”
Beck examined them. Both the rabbit and bear light <b>wands </b>were designed to be adorable and festive.
<b>He </b>nodded and said, “I think Shanice will like them too. Thank you.”
“It’s just a small exchange of gifts–no need for thanks.”
Beck ced the light wand back and nced at a nearby cafe. “Want to sit down for a bit?”
Celeste declined, “No, I have things to do. I need to head out again soon.”
Martha was being discharged from the hospital that evening. She had to go with Betty to the hospitalter.
Beck paused before saying, “Alright.”
Without much more conversation, Celeste got into her car and left.
Not long after arriving home, she and Betty took the gifts they had prepared for Martha and left for the hospital. However, before heading there, they had already informed Martha.
When they arrived, they found only Martha and her caretaker, Samantha, in the hospital room.
It was unclear whether it was to avoid an awkward situation or for another <b>reason</b>, but Jordyn was not there.
Betty <b>looked </b>a little disappointed but didn’t say <b>anything</b>.
Martha, however, noticed the look on her face.
She also knew about <b>Celeste </b>and Trevor’s impending divorce.
Ever since New Year’s Day, when Lincoln returned but Celeste never showed up, Martha had realized that even if Celeste and Trevor weren’t officially divorced yet, she <b>was </b>already cutting ties with the Fleming family. She had also guessed that Celeste wouldn’t be spending Eriber Festival at the Fleming Manor this year.
As for Jordyn’s custody, she had brought it up with Trevor few days ago. But no matter what, he refused topromise.
When she asked him a couple of days ago where Jordyn would be spending the Ember Festival, he said it would be up to her.
However, Jordyn had gone abroad for a trip recently and was only returning tonight, so Martha didn’t have the chance to ask her yet.
So, seeing her old friend looking so disappointed, Martha felt even more guilty..
But the truth was, Jordyn had be more attached to Trevor. Without Jordyn’s explicit consent, Martha couldn’t make any promises to Betty or Celeste.
Even though she said nothing, both Betty and Celeste understood her feelings.
<b>So</b>, they didn’t bring up Jordyn and instead chatted about lighter topics and inquired about Martha’s leg recovery. Before long, it was time for Martha’s discharge.
Not wanting to impose, Celeste and Betty left after staying for about half an hour.
Martha had prepared gifts for them as well. So, before they left, she had her staff bring them down to the lobby.
Shortly after they departed, Trevor arrived at the hospital.
Martha knew he had deliberately waited to avoid running into Celeste.
The divorce was already set in stone–she knew she couldn’t stop it.
Watching Trevor sit by her bed and skillfully peel an apple for her, Martha pressed her lips together and said, Trevor, Jo is the daughter that Cel gave birth to. Can’t you at least give her custody to Cel?”
Trevor continued peeling the apple with his usual grace and replied indifferently, “Jo is my daughter too.”
Martha grew angry. “You barely cared about her in the past few years, and now you have the nerve to fight for custody?”
Trevor ced the peeled and sliced apple onto a te and handed it to her. “I’ve changed now.”
Martha turned her face <b>away</b>, refusing to take it or acknowledge him.
Trevor put the te down and said, “Grandma<b>, </b>this is between us. Please don’t interfere.”
Afterpleting the discharge procedures, he first took Martha back to Fleming Manor. Later, when it was time, he went to the airport to pick up Jordyn and bring her home.