Chapter 809

“Therefore, I specifically asked someone to invite Mr. Yoder, hoping that Ms. Rodriguez will attend the banquet tonight.”

Philip then glanced at Wynn and Trevor before continuing. “As for Ms. Locket, I only learned that she was interested in studying under me tonight when I spoke with her. However, after having a more in-depth conversation with Ms. Rodriguez, I became even more certain about who I wanted to take on.

“Before that, I had never given Ms. Locket any definite answer. And once I had made my decision, I immediately turned her down. So, it was not Ms. Rodriguez deliberately taking away Ms. Locket’s chance of becoming my student.”

After Philip finished speaking, another wave of murmurs swept through the banquet hall.

“When Mr. Newman rejected her, she assumed Ms. Rodriguez had sabotaged her. Now, Professor Lancaster has also chosen Ms. Rodriguez over her, and she still thinks Ms. Rodriguez is pulling strings behind the scenes. She’s really shameless!”

“Maybe she’s done so many underhanded things that she just assumes everyone else is just like her.”

Philip looked toward Celeste, seemingly wanting to say something to her.

Celeste noticed and was about to speak when her phone suddenly rang. She answered it, and after hearing what the person on the other end said, she replied, “Okay, I understand. I’ll be there in a bit.”

Matthias also received a call at the same time.

By then, Philip had already come down from the stage and walked over to them. However, Matthias spoke first. “I’m sorry, Professor Lancaster. Something urgent has come up, and we need to get back to the company. We’ll take our leave now. And I’m really sorry about tonight.”

“It’s alright.” Philip looked at Celeste after saying that.

Now that he knew that Celeste was Zachary’s student, there was no chance for her

to become his student anymore. He couldn’t help feeling it was a shame.

He realized that Celeste was an exceptionally calm and composed person. The more he observed her, the more he liked her.

Celeste hesitated before saying, “I’m sorry. Although I may not be the kind of student who makes my mentor particularly proud, I still hope that my mentor will be the one to guide

me along the road ahead.”

Her words were modest, leaving Philip with no choice but to nod.

He extended his hand and shook hers. “Hopefully, we’ll have plenty of opportunities

to exchange ideas in the future.”

“It would be my honor to learn from you.”

Celeste checked the time before pausing and looking down at Jordyn, who was

standing beside her, lightly clutching the hem of her dress.

A lot had happened that evening, and Celeste had no idea how much Jordyn had understood But she knew the girl had been unusually quiet throughout everything.

Now, her eyes were slightly red.

When Jordyn noticed Celeste

looking at her, she lowered her gaže almost instinctively, as though she was trying to hide. However, her eyes immediately grew ever redder

Celeste paused before bending slightly and gently patting her head. “Jo, I still have something to take care of. You can go back with her dad…”

Jordyn was unusually obedient this time. Before Celeste could finish, she already knew what her mother meant.

“Mm, okay, Mom. I know. I… I’ll go home by myself. You go take care of your things.”

Celeste looked at her, wanting to say something. But Jordyn had already waved at her and run off.

However, she didn’t go to Trevor as Celeste had expected. Instead, she ran straight past him toward Hannah, who had been waiting nearby.

Celeste was momentarily stunned as she watched her go.

So was Matthias. He turned and looked at Trevor when he realized what had happened.