Deviating from the original plot

Chapter eighty-six

"I know," she replied gently, "but I need to stand on my own feet."

He sighed. "And how exactly are you planning to do that? Do you have a stable income already?"

"Umm... I do?" she said, not quite convincingly.

He frowned. "You don't need to lie to me, Celeste. Just take the money-at least until you have something steady."

"I said I don't need your money," she replied firmly. "I can manage on my own."

"But you don't have a stable income," he pressed.

"I'm getting there!" she said, lifting her chin. "I have ideas."

"Such as?"

"Uh... starting a business like starting a business?" she said, after thinking for a while

He blinked, then let out a slow sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "At least you're ambitious. But opening a business... it's not as easy as it seems."

"I know; that's exactly what I've been thinking about," Celeste replied, tapping her fingers together nervously.

He leaned forward slightly, a thoughtful look in his eyes. "What if I invested in your business?"

Celeste froze. "What?"

"I mean it," he said. "I could help you find a location, source materials, set up the products-anything you need. And don't tell me you don't need the help. If it bothers you that much, you can pay me back once your salon starts making money."

Celeste blinked, caught between surprise and hesitation. "I... I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything yet," he replied gently. "Just think about it. I only want to help you succeed."

A small smile tugged at her lips. "Maybe... maybe this could actually work."

He returned the smile, a glimmer of pride in his eyes. "I knew you had the drive. Now let's make sure it goes somewhere."

✧✧

"I'm starting my business," Celeste announced, grabbing a notebook and pen with determination.

Clara looked up, smiling brightly. "You're finally doing it? That's wonderful! What kind of business?"

"I've been thinking about it," Celeste said, flipping open a fresh page. "I want to be a designer-create dresses and jewellery-but I also want to branch into beauty products. Maybe cosmetics and skincare too."

Clara's eyes sparkled. "That sounds lovely! You've always had an eye for beauty and detail."

Celeste grinned. "Exactly. It's what I'm good at-and besides, Rhyse already offered to invest. I can't just back out now. So I'm working on a feasibility analysis."

Clara blinked. "A what?"

Celeste chuckled. "A feasibility analysis-it's basically a plan to see if my business idea can actually work. You know, figuring out costs, materials, designs, and if people will even buy what I'm selling."

Clara nodded slowly, impressed. "That sounds... very professional of you."

"Of course-and I already know where to start," Celeste said with a confident gleam in her eyes.

✧ ✧

Later that day, Celeste and Clara arrived at one of the finest dressmaker's ateliers in the city. The air inside was perfumed with silk and ambition, but the moment Celeste stepped through the doors, the attendants stiffened. Whispers rippled quietly across the room-her disownment had clearly made the rounds.