A Vow of Deception, A Vow of Revenge novel Chapter 62

Winona was done arguing with Tyson. She turned to leave when he suddenly said, "Fine, you should get some rest anyway. We've got our hands full with the partnership talks with The Thornes in the capital. Not that you can really help with any of that—it'll be up to Celia."

Winona paused mid-step.

"You're absolutely right, Mr. Goodwin," she replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Miss Goodwin is certainly impressive, managing to cozy up to the Thornes."

Tyson's voice was stiff. "Of course. Naturally."

He'd brought up the subject just to get under her skin. Not only was she refusing to come home, now she had the nerve to hand in her resignation? He needed her to understand she wasn't as indispensable as she thought. If she regretted it now, there was still time to turn back.

But something about Winona's tone felt off.

"Well then, Mr. Goodwin, you'd better hold on tight to Miss Goodwin," Winona said, glancing over her shoulder at him with a cool smile. "After all, she's the one who'll be such a big help to you."

Before Tyson could respond, she turned away and walked out.

He watched her go, an unfamiliar emptiness settling in his chest. It was as if Winona, once gone, would never return.

That's impossible, he told himself. She probably just needed some time off and was using her resignation as a scare tactic. There's no way she'd really leave me.

Still, the thought made his mind restless and uneasy.

Tyson headed back to the lounge, only to find Celia watching him with a strange look on her face. He didn't have the patience to figure out what was going on with her right now. Instead, he sat at the edge of the bed, replaying the image of Winona walking away over and over in his mind.

For once, Celia didn't immediately cling to him. After a moment's hesitation, she finally called softly, "Ty."

Her voice snapped him out of his thoughts. He drew a deep breath and turned to her. "Celia, I want you to reach out to the Thornes soon."

"Yeah?"

"Since you know the Thornes, have you ever met their daughter?"

Celia tensed again. "N-no, I haven't. She was away traveling when I met the family, so I never got the chance."

Tyson nodded, letting the matter drop. But Celia sensed something was off.

She frowned and asked, "Ty, why are you suddenly asking about her?"

He shrugged with a smile, tapping her nose playfully. "Just curious, that's all. She's never been seen in public, after all. What, are you jealous?"

"Hmph! If she hides from the world, it's probably because she's hideous!" Celia snapped, her voice sharp and sour.