When a bucket of ice water drenched Estre, he shot up from her bed like a cat that had just had its


    tail stepped on iling to rid herself of the cold shock


    The young maid, trembling with the empty bucket still in her hands, stammered. “Ms. Estre, it was


    Mr. Jason’s orders.


    The maid cast a fretful nce at Jason, who stood with his hands nonchntly tucked in his pockets,


    eyeing Estre with icy detachment Without a word, Estre grabbed a decorative paperweight from


    the nightstand and hurled it at Jason, shouting, “Jason, are you out of your damn mind?”


    Water droplets scattered as she threw the object with all her might


    The maid, sensing Estre’s fury, scampered out of the room, clutching the bucket.


    Jason dodged the paperweight with ease. Estre, soaked and fuming, leaped from the bed to confront


    him physically. Despite her usually impressive agility, she found herself at a disadvantage against


    Jason. Her attempts to hit him with various objects only managed to leave a slight scratch on his cheek


    When Estre threw her clothes at Jason in a fit of anger, he grabbed her chin. His voice cut through


    the air like a knife, “Is it me going crazy or you, Estre? You invited a stranger into our home, into my


    room?”


    His grip was firm, whitening the skin of her cheek. Estreughed bitterly, shaking off his hand


    “Jason, if you can’t remember what happenedst night, why don’t you ask Thomas to jog your


    memory? Ask him whose name you were slurring when you stumbled home.”


    His face changed at the mention of his drunken antics, but his irritation red at being pushed away by


    Estre. “You want to y the saint, Estre? Fine, I’ll indulge you. I’ll bring her home today, and you


    can clear out. Pack your stuff and get as far away as possible.”


    Over two years of marriage, he had barely done anything with Serene, and Estre had already let


    someone into their lives. Fine, he’d make it official.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Estre’s coldughter followed her bold deration, “I’ll leave. I’ll leave right now.”


    After saying that, she stormed out, not looking back. Jason, in a rage, destroyed anything within reach


    in the room.


    Half an hourter, as Estre was leaving with her belongings, the household staff tried to stop her.


    “Ms. Estre, Mr. Jason was just drunkst night. Please don’t take it to heart,” Marie pleaded.


    “I’m not going to thew firm because I’m angry with him,” Estre replied.


    12:47


    For over two years, she had humiliated herself trying to win his affection, to seduce him, to talk about


    starting a family. Had he ever taken her seriously? Had he ever acknowledged her publicly, introduced


    her to others without reservation?


    Every holiday, she went to her parents’ house alone. Had she everined?


    Now, facing pressure from his family, he returned home, but treated her with nothing but indifference.


    Why should she keep chasing after someone who clearly didn’t care about her at all?


    Reflecting on their marriage, Estre realized her enthusiasm and tolerance for Jason had eroded over


    time. She had hoped by turning a blind eye, things would eventually get better.


    She was wrong.


    If she couldn’t be part of his life, his heart, then she didn’t need him.


    Marie bit her lip, troubled, as the young maid whispered, “Ms. Estre, Mr. Jason has ordered that you


    cannot leave.”


    Estre looked toward the yard and saw the bodyguards blocking her way. Determined to


    leave, she was stopped by the bodyguards who ryed, “Ms. Estre, Mr. Jason wishes to present you


    with a parting gift. Please stay for now.”


    Estre smirked, understanding the game. Jason wanted her to witness him bringing someone else


    home, someone to rece her as his wife.


    “Well then, I’ll stay for the show,” she said coolly.


    Meanwhile, Jason arrived at his office, with a storm brewing in his expression. Serene, his secretary,


    slipped in tentatively. “Jason,” she murmured.


    He grunted a response, barely ncing at her weary face.


    “I’m sorry aboutst night. I was just worried about you,” she said, approaching his desk.


    Jason, massaging his temples, didn’t reply to her apology.


    Taking his silence as invitation, Serene started to massage him, whispering, “You look tense. Let me


    help, or you won’t be able to work.”


    Jason leaned back, allowing her to continue for a moment, but said nothing. His thoughts were


    elsewhere. Serene stayed quiet, knowing Jason’s moods well after serving as his secretary for years.


    Out of the blue, Jason exhaled deeply, as if releasing a weight. Serene nced at him, wondering if he


    was thinking about Holly. If it was her resemnce to Holly that had gained her favor, she was grateful


    for it.


    Their moment was interrupted by Thomas, who barged into the office. “Jason, Drew


    12:47


    mentioned you wanted to see me.”


    Thomas paused, taking in the scene, and said with a smirk, “Seems like I’vee at a bad time.”


    “Mr. Thomas,” Serene greeted, quickly stepping away from Jason.


    Jason opened his eyes and locked eyes with Thomas, an unspoken tension filling the


    room.


    As Serene made herself scarce, Thomas casually took a seat across from Jason, ready to get down to


    business. She brewed a cup of coffee for Thomas and then silently slipped out of Jason’s office.


    The door closed with a gentle click, prompting Thomas to nce back and ask, “Made up yet?”


    At the mention of making up, Jason’s expression instantly darkened. “You’re the one who drove me


    homest night?”


    Thomas responded casually, “Yeah, that was me! But hey, Jason, you don’t need to be overly polite. If


    you really want to show your gratitude, how about that project…”


    12:47