Chapter 2112


    Jonathan tucked the scarf snugly around her neck, "It''s chilly out today. Don''t wander off this


    afternoon, alright? I''ll swing by Old Mr. Quintin''s ce after work to pick you up."


    "Alright!" Estelle nodded, her breath forming little clouds in the frosty air.


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    He nted a quick kiss on her forehead, a tender gesture that lingered as they parted ways, each


    hopping into their cars and leaving the underground parking lot. Estelle headed for the Quintin


    residence, while Jonathan disappeared in the opposite direction.


    Driving through the streets, Estelle received a message from Magdalen - a piece of breaking news.


    She nced at her phone only to find that Victor Brown had been arrested. The charges read like a


    laundry list of financial sins: embezzlement, epting bribes, squandering funds on gambling.


    The news piece was followed by a tabloid-like exposé on the current plight of the Macin family.


    Bankruptcy had imed them, theirpany and properties seized, a once proud and noble


    lineage on the brink of bing a mere footnote in the annals of J City.


    Thements section was a cesspool of schadenfreude and vitriol, which Estelle chose to ignore.


    She put the phone aside, focusing on the road ahead.


    Nearing the Quintin''s, Estelle passed a supermarket and decided to stop for some candy. With the


    festive season fast approaching, the store was decked out in cheerful decorations, and the candy


    aisles were particrly alluring.


    She picked out a few varieties of sweets, a couple of boxes of choctes, and some snacks for


    Evelyn. As she pushed her cart towards the exit, a familiar voice stopped her in her tracks, "Estelle!"


    She turned to see Sabina approaching, her usual haughtiness reced with a look of despair and


    defeat. "What a coincidence, running into you here," Sabina remarked dryly.


    "Is there something you need?" Estelle asked, her tone indifferent.


    Sabina red, seething with resentment. "I''ve been fired by the Lamont Group!"


    Estelle remained silent, prompting Sabina to continue, now visibly angrier. "It''s not just me; our


    whole family has suffered because of you. The family estate is sealed off, my grandparents are


    practically homeless, stuck in a tiny apartment. Our family''s not faring much better. And your


    parents... I heard your mom can''t even afford her hospital bills. Your dad''s out there begging for


    money every day! And do you know what Carme is doing now? Yesterday, I walked past a


    restaurant and saw her waiting tables, drenched in booze after a drunk patron spilled his drink on


    her, harassing her!"


    Estelle''s expression remained stoic. "Is all of this really because of me, or is it because of your


    family''s greed?"


    Sabina scoffed. "Even if they were at fault, don''t you think you''ve been a bit too harsh? They''re still


    your rtives, your blood. Don''t you feel anything at all?"


    Estelle didn''t bother to argue, turning to leave.


    "You must be proud, bringing down the Macin family," Sabina sneered bitterly. "You''ve been


    waiting for this day, haven''t you? Waiting tough at the downfall of me and everyone else in the


    Macin family!"


    Estelle faced Sabina calmly. "You''re giving yourself too much credit. What about you is worth


    waiting for? You''re nothing but a sideshow, a spectacle without an audience."


    Leaving Sabina speechless, Estelle grabbed a bag of peach-vored candies and put it in her cart,


    then continued on her way.


    When Estelle arrived at the Quintin residence, a servant took the groceries from Estelle and


    informed her, "Old Mr. Quintin is in the study, teaching Miss Evelyn to paint. Old Mr. Jarvis and Mr.


    Carnes are out back."


    "Has Sophia been around thesest couple of days?" Estelle inquired, recalling her friend''s frequent


    visits.


    "Sophia hasn''t been back since she left the morning before yesterday," the servant replied.


    Estelle didn''t dwell on Sophia''s absence. She decided not to disturb her teacher and Evelyn


    upstairs and instead made her way to the backyard.


    There, Old Mr. Jarvis and Gabriel were engaged in a chess match under the gazebo. Gabriel waved


    her over with a smile. "Perfect timing, you can take over for me."


    Old Mr. Jarvis shot him a look. "Two games in and you''re already restless. Your patience seems to


    be wearing thin."


    Gabriel shrugged it off yfully. "Who could match your steadfastness?"


    Estelle came to Gabriel''s rescue, taking a seat across from Old Mr. Jarvis with a smile. "I''m not half


    the yer Gabriel is, but I''ll keep youpany for a game."