?<strong>Chapter 1488:</strong>


    “Appreciate it,” Cody said with a grateful smile.


    Though Gavin agreed, he couldn’t help feeling a pang of doubt. Convincing Celeste was bound to be an uphill climb. Her reputation for being prickly wasn’t exactly unfounded.


    As Gavin mulled over the thought, a sense of discouragement slowly began to settle over him.


    That afternoon, Celeste was in the middle of filming for a show at the TV station when her assistant approached her, voice lowered in a conspiratorial tone. “Someone named Gavin Cramer has reached out. He’s hosting a small gathering and hopes you’ll attend.”


    “Gavin Cramer?” Celeste paused, her brow furrowing as she dredged up the name. After a beat, recognition dawned. “Ah, Cody Tucker’s first student. What on earth could he want with me now?”


    The assistant ventured cautiously, “Could it have something to do with Elyse Lloyd? Didn’t we have a bit of a falling out with her recently due to a misunderstanding?”


    Celeste’s sharp nce cut through the air, silencing the assistant instantly.


    Celeste let her gaze linger a moment longer before turning away, her tone frosty. “Even if Elyse took first ce, do you really think she could’ve done it without Cody pulling the strings?”


    She paused, the silence heavy with meaning, before adding, “Let’s not forget—Fiona Evans, that other woman, was one of Cody’s protégés too. It’s not far-fetched to say his students have wrecked Nick’s career.” The assistant bobbed his head in agreement, almost tripping over his words. “Exactly! His student is the reason Nick’s on this downward spiral. The poor guy’s shattered—and who knows how long it’ll take for him to bounce back.”


    A flicker of worry crossed Celeste’s otherwiseposed face. “True. Nick’s in a bad ce. If he doesn’t pull himself together, there’s no telling what he might do.”


    The assistant scratched his chin thoughtfully before changing the subject. “Speaking of which… about Gavin’s invitation?”


    “Decline it,” Celeste said coolly, not missing a beat. “I’m not one to entertain just any invitation.”


    Without further ado, the assistant set off to ry her decision. Meanwhile, Gavin sat at home, staring at his phone, waiting for the assistant’s response.


    As expected—another dead end.


    Gavin sighed, his frustration mounting. For the first time, he felt truly stuck. Celeste was proving to be more elusive than he’d imagined. But the real kicker? He had promised Cody he’d arrange the meeting.


    Running a hand down his face, Gavin groaned, “I’ve bitten off more than I can chew. Celeste isn’t the kind of person you just casually summon for a chat.”


    After mulling it over, he decided to call Elyse.


    Elyse, meanwhile, was in her garden, the strains of her violin drifting through the crisp air. Chloe lounged nearby, enjoying Elyse’s hospitality while work remained elusive.


    Chloemented with a hint of curiosity, “Is this what it feels like to be treated special?”


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