Chapter 254

A shiver ran down Celeste's spine as she met Seraphina's glacial stare, silently cursing the incompetence of her team that had led to this disaster. How hard could it be to watch one mute pregnant woman? Those worthless idiots!

Before Celeste could react, Seraphina's palm connected sharply with her cheek. "Do you have something to confess?" Seraphina hissed, her voice dripping with venomous ice.

Panic seized Celeste as she dropped to her knees, words stumbling from her trembling lips. "Miss Kensington, I take full responsibility for today's failures, but I truly didn't anticipate this outcome. I'll accept any punishment. Though considering your health, it's imperative I continue searching for your heart transplant donor."

Rage and frustration made Seraphina's breath come in short gasps. Seeing her distress, Celeste swiftly produced the medication. After swallowing the pills, Seraphina's fury gradually subsided into cold calculation.

Celeste seized the moment to appeal to reason. "Please, Miss Kensington, calm yourself. Someone as insignificant as me isn't worth disturbing your peace. You can deal with my failures later. Once I've secured a replacement, punish me however you see fit. I'll accept it without complaint."

Seraphina's icy gaze softened marginally, though she remained silent for a long moment. "I'll spare you this time," she finally said, her deceptively soft tone laced with steel. "As for those incompetents, I never want to see them again. Make them disappear by any means necessary."

That musical voice, usually so refined, now carried chilling finality. The brutality of the order would have frozen anyone's blood. Celeste felt no pity for her doomed subordinates - survival in Seraphina's service demanded ruthlessness and cunning.

Just as Celeste began to rise in relief, Seraphina's cold voice stopped her. "In such a hurry? Your failures have ruined my mood. As punishment, you'll crawl back to the house. Understood?"

Celeste paled at the cruel command. "But Miss Kensington, it's nearly half a mile to the estate." Walking that distance would be arduous enough - crawling could cause permanent damage.

Seraphina remained unmoved. "Count yourself lucky this is your only punishment. Would you prefer joining your useless team on their final journey?"

The unspoken threat left no room for argument. Resigned, Celeste began her humiliating journey under the confused stares of passersby. Though Seraphina had booked the entire hotel for her event, staff and delivery personnel still moved about freely.

Onlookers whispered and pointed at the crawling woman, their expressions ranging from concern to morbid curiosity. With each painful movement, Seraphina's mood visibly improved, her lips curling in satisfaction.

Meanwhile, Olivia stepped into the Kensington estate with mixed emotions. Donovan's demeanor toward her had been surprisingly gentle throughout their return journey, offering multiple apologies that shocked her given his position as head of the Kensington family.