Back in the day, Estre used toe around with a smile on her face, always seeking out his
company. But this time, when Jason made the effort to visit her at the Dorvold family residence, she
had dropped her usual antics.
Jason couldn’t ept the stark contrast. He felt yed, as if Estre treated him as some kind of fool,
amusing herself with him when she was in good spirits and leaving him alone when she wasn’t.
Suddenly, Jason realized something. Although Estre was always the one initiating things, control
never really seemed to be in his hands. It was always hers. She called the shots, acting on a whim.
Augh escaped Estre as she said, “What? I was nice to you once and now I’ve got to be nice
forever? What about my dignity?”
Jason’s anger got the best of him, and gripping the back of her neck, he yanked her toward him. “Being
with me means you’ve got no dignity?”
at her neck stung, and Estre looked up at him. “Jason, this isn’t fun anymor
The tug she said. Then she added, “Let go.”
It wasn’t like she ever had any dignity in his eyes anyway.
Jason’s grip didn’t loosen, and his eyes were aze with fury. After struggling in vain to break free,
Estre locked eyes with him and said, “Don’t forget, Jason, that it was your father who came to my
family to arrange our marriage, and you were the one who agreed to it. Don’t act like I owe you
anything.”
“If you feel…” She was cut off mid-sentence as Jason pulled her into his arms and silenced her with a
kiss, which was furious and passionate. It seemed he didn’t want to hear what she was about to say.
When the angry kiss ended, Estre’s lips were swollen. She wiped her mouth with the back of her
hand as Jason turned away, changed clothes, and left the room without a backward nce.
Left alone in the room, Estre seethed with frustration. She couldn’t understand why it always seemed
to be her fault, even when he spent the holidays with other women?
Exhausted, she slumped back into her chair. Then, as if on cue, the door flew open, and Autumn
breezed in asking, “Estre, I thought I heard something. Everything okay?”
ncing around, she added, “Where’s Jason?”
Estre quickly masked her feelings and said nonchntly, “He stepped out for some
work stuff.”
Autumn moved further into the room. “Everyone’s so busy, even during the holidays.”
12:47
They chatted for a bit, and Autumn eventually used, “But you know, Jason’s been better this year. At
least he’s around for a meal”
Suppressing a yawn, Estre replied, “Mom, it’s nearly midnight. You should head to bed.”
Autumn got up. “Alright, I’m off to rest. But dont be too hard on Jason. He’s busy with work.”
“I know,” Estre responded.
After two years of marriage, she was used to it. by now.
, she’d have driven herself mad
Once Autumn left, Estre closed the door and let out a long sigh. Over the next few days, she didn’t
bother going back to Sandalwood Oasis, choosing Instead to spend time with her parents.
One afternoon, shortly after Estre’s waking from a nap, Kristin called. “Estre, you haven’t been
hometely?”
Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
While pouring a ss of water, Estre replied, “Yeah, I’m at my parents’, spending some time with
them.”
“That exins it,” Kristin said. “I just stopped by, and Marie mentioned you weren’t home.”
Before Estre could respond, Kristin asked, “So, when are you nning to return to Sandalwood
Oasis?”
“After dinner,” Estre said.
Kristin didn’t need to exin, and Estre knew this call was urging her to return. In fact, even if she
hadn’t made the call, Estre would havee back anyway, because Autumn had been nagging her
these past few days.
Kristin seemed to rx with that answer, and after a brief chat, they ended the call.
True to her word, Estre drove back after dinner.
“Ms. Estre, wee back!” greeted Marie.
“Yeah,” Estre replied. Her tone was casual as she changed her shoes. The festively decorated house
was still empty.
Marie, trying to lift the mood, whispered, “Mr. Jason has been home these past few days, even came
back early today.”
Estre remarked dryly, “That’s a surprise.” Kristin called to ask when she wasing back, just
because Jason was home alone.
After chatting with Marie downstairs for a bit, Estre went upstairs uninterestedly. In the past, she
would have eagerly gone upstairs to tease Jason, but today, she had no interest at all.
12:47
Herck of enthusiasm for Jason’s presence didn’t go unnoticed by Marie, who murmured, “Ms.
Estre doesn’t seem too thrilled today”
A momentter, Estre entered the bedroom to find Jason emerging from the bathroom after a
shower. This time, without her usual cheerful greeting, Jason felt an unpleasant twinge. They had their
squabbles before, but Estre never held a grudge. Things would go back to normal the next day.
Sitting quietly on the bed, Estre didn’t say a word. She turned on herptop and started working,
ignoring Jasonpletely. Usually, it was Estre who broke the silence, but now, with her staying
quiet, Jason’s pride prevented him from speaking up.
As Estre was reviewing case files, her phone suddenly rang. It was Korey. With a smile, she
answered, “Hey, Korey.” Her voice was as confident andmanding as ever.
Jason, overhearing the familiar name, perked up and watched Estre as she stood up and walked
over to the floor-to-ceiling windows, seemingly oblivious to his gaze.
On the other end of the line, Korey said, “Estre, I’ve got a situation with some construction workers’
wages and contract payments. You up for it?”
“Absolutely! I’m pretty solid onborw,” Estre replied.
Estre had a firm grasp of the legal disciplines she’d studied, but internationalw was her true
passion and favorite field.
“Alright, I’ll give you the rundown,” Korey said, proceeding to outline the case for Estre before
instructing his secretary to send the relevant documents to her email.
The issue wasn’t directly rted to Korey’s usual workload. Yesterday, as he was leaving the
government building, his car had been blocked by a group of construction workers, who imed they
hadn’t been paid their wages and contract fees. Korey thought maybe Estre could handle it through
legal channels.
After Estre’s hanging up with Korey, Jason finally broke his silence. His voice was tinged with a chilly
undertone. “The mayor himself can’t find awyer and has to reach out to you, Estre?”
Couldn’t Korey’s secretary just make a call? Then the construction site boss would rush to settle the
wages and payments without Estre’s needing to step in?
Estre chuckled, “What can I say? I guess I’m just the nearestwyer to him.”
Jason was not convinced and set down the book he was holding. Before he could articte his
thoughts, Estre cut in. “Jason, haven’t done anything to provoke you tonight. I haven’t even breathed
loudly, so please, no picking fights.”
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