The Billionaire Twins Need A New Mommy! - Chapter 347

Chapter 347: Changing Sponsors
“Moved on, my butt…” Justin muttered, his face contorting as he watched Derek happily unbox the gifts sent by the Summit Partners’ big boss. “Just look at him.”

After meeting Harvey in the lobby, Derek’s plan to grab lunch before his meeting was instantly forgotten. Instead, he’d rushed back to his office like a child about to unwrap his first toy.

Justin shook his head and sighed, only to knit his brows a moment later.

“‘Good… job?'” he repeated under his breath, recalling Harvey’s words. “What’s so good about getting engaged?”

The way Harvey said it made it sound less like congratulations and more like praise for a job well done, which only confused him further.

“Oh, well.” He shrugged, snapping his eyes back to Derek. “I guess it’s because Melissa’s the one who built the bridge with the Summit Partners in the first place.”

Beyond that, Justin didn’t really know much, and Derek wasn’t offering an explanation. Derek just stood there, beaming as he finally lifted the limited-edition watch from the box, his hand trembling with excitement.

“Wow,” Justin breathed, genuinely impressed as Derek turned the watch in his hand to show him. “What a generous gift.”

*****

Though the world went about its business as usual, for some, today carried more weight than most.

For Celestine, it was one of those days.

She sat in her sunlit study, fingers tapping lightly against the armrest as her thoughts churned. Surrounded by fresh flowers, she had no time to admire them. Her focus was on the documents spread across the table before her. Among them were photographs, notes, and cash transaction slips.

Thanks to Anne, who had recommended a discreet private investigator, Celestine had uncovered quite a bit about LL Construction and Melissa Young.

“I should’ve done this sooner instead of at the last minute,” she murmured, fluttering her eyelashes as her gaze fell on a photograph.

The image showed a man named Hudson, but who he was, and why Melissa was handing him money, remained unclear.

“I wonder who he is…” She tilted her head, a hint of curiosity sharpening her tone. “A secret lover? Her little errand boy?”

If neither, then only one possibility remained.

“What does he know that she’s paying him to keep quiet?” Celestine’s lips curved, her eyes narrowing with intrigue. “Oh, I’m getting excited just thinking about it.”

A spark of amusement flashed across her face as she rose to her feet. She had already glimpsed the undercurrent swirling beneath the Youngs: Melissa’s questionable transactions and LL Construction’s shaky finances. The latter alone was enough to make any family reconsider an alliance.

Especially since Lawrence Young’s debts had doubled the company’s annual profit. Debt wasn’t inherently bad in business, but his numbers were beyond reckless.

Still, that wasn’t what fascinated Celestine the most.

Lawrence’s debt could be fixed. She could erase it with a single phone call. But the first issue — the secret payments to Hudson— now that was far more interesting.

With that in mind, Celestine prepared to leave her estate to meet a man known for two things: losing and gambling.

*****

According to the investigator’s report, Hudson was a regular at several casinos across Novera, though one in particular treated him well — free lodging, free meals, the works. For Celestine, joining a table there and wagering a few hundred thousand was nothing.

A small price to pay for the right kind of entertainment.

“Thank you for joining me, Mr. Hudson,” Celestine purred the moment he sat across from her in the casino’s restaurant. Her smile was polite, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “It’s an honor.”

The dark bags under Hudson’s eyes were impossible to miss. His stress and exhaustion practically clung to him. Not surprising, considering he hadn’t slept after another night of gambling.

“You said you’d pay for this meeting,” he said bluntly. “And you’ll send it right after, yeah?”

Celestine smiled, saying nothing. She simply reached into her handbag, pulled out a pre-written cheque, and placed it delicately on the table.

Curious, Hudson craned his neck to read it.

“One million…” His eyes widened. His pulse quickened, and his fingers twitched with greed.

Celestine quietly observed his reaction — so raw, so telling. This was a man driven entirely by addiction. The cheque was bait, and he was already hooked.

“What is—” He reached for it, but froze when her fingers lightly pressed down on the paper. Slowly, he lifted his eyes to hers.

She smiled sweetly. “Before you take this, I’d like to ask you a few questions.”

He frowned but stayed silent.

“Don’t worry,” she said calmly. “Whether you answer or not, the cheque is yours. But if your answers please me…” She tilted her head and smiled, “I might give you another and double the amount.”

His eyes lit up. “Double it?” he repeated under his breath, leaning forward eagerly. “Alright then. What do you need?”

“Well…” Celestine leaned back leisurely, holding the cheque between two fingers. “Where should I begin?”

She let the silence stretch, raising his anticipation as his gaze followed every flick of her wrist. Finally, her voice broke through, smooth and deliberate.

“I won’t beat around the bush, Mr. Hudson.” She set the cheque down again, her gaze steady and cold. “What’s your relationship with Melissa Young?”

Hudson blinked, then frowned. “What?”

“It’s come to my attention that she’s been funding your lifestyle,” she continued evenly. “She’s given you a rather generous amount of money — large enough to make me wonder whether she’s your lover…”

Before she could finish, Hudson let out a rough laugh. “A lover? Me? With that crazy bitch? Hah! No fucking way. I might be a gambler, but I’ve still got standards.”

Celestine’s eyes glinted. “Then it’s hush money.”

She leaned forward, resting her arms on the table. “Tell me, Mr. Hudson… how would you feel about changing sponsors?”

Deep lines creased Hudson’s face as he realized what she was offering. Celestine’s lips curved slowly and dangerously.

“You’re a smart man,” she murmured. “Between me and Melissa, you know who’s more capable.”

He squinted at her. “And what do you want in return?”

“To buy the information she’s been paying you to hide.” Celestine arched a brow, her smile razor-sharp. “What do you say?”