“Estre,” Kristin called out with a wave of her hand as she spotted her approaching.


    Estre came closer and whispered, “Did someone have their way with Bryce?”


    Kristin shook her head, “No. It’s not that serious.”


    The Nelsons were known for calling a family council only when there was a serious issue at hand.


    These meetings used to be a rarity, but ever since Estre tied the knot with Jason, they seemed to


    be a tad more frequent.


    Keith took his seat at the head of the table and eyed Estre as she walked in. “Estre,” he began,


    “the Lamont family said you incited Janie and Pa to hit someonest night.”


    Estre shrugged. “Grandpa, I’m not that powerful. Justid out some truth for them. Whatever


    happened next, that’s on the Lamonts to decide.”


    Her words made Keith’s face darken a bit for show, though inside he was clear as day that the girl was


    up to no good. He retorted, “Even so, you shouldn’t have stirred the potr right now. Any other time


    would’ve done.”


    “Janie was trying to school me on life, and how to bear sons. So, I figured I’d just seek some tips from


    Hunter on how he’s so darn capable,” Estre shot back.


    The elders began to chime in.


    “Estre’s always been sensible. Last night, it must have been Janie and Pa who provoked her first.”


    “Exactly. I saw it with my own eyes,” Jason’s aunt eximed. She had initially wanted to rush to


    Estre’s defense, but seeing Estre in full control, she held back. She didn’t want to cramp Estre’s


    style by stepping in and ying peacemaker. Instead, she enjoyed the drama from the sidelines. And


    what a delightful show it was.


    “Dad, Estre knows where the line is. She wouldn’t start anything,” Kristin also sided with


    Estre.


    One by one, everyone rallied behind Estre, leaving Keith with no room to scold. He knew all too well


    that the Lamonts had grand ambitions and were gunning for the Dorvolds.


    Unable to berate Estre, he turned his attention to Jason. “Estre’s got a passable excuse. What


    about you, Jason?”


    Jason, hands in his pockets, coolly replied, “No excuse.”


    Estre, intrigued, quietly asked her aunt-inw, “What did Jason do to Bryce?”


    Her aunt-inw whispered back, “That rascal soaked Bryce in a bath all night and wouldn’t let him


    relieve himself with anydies. Nearly broke the man.”


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    Estre mused, “Might as well have just had someone take Bryce by force.”


    “No, that’s not the way,” her aunt-inw replied “Grandpa says all of the Nelson family’s mischief seems


    to havended on that one.”


    Keith’s expression darkened as he dered, “You two, each as mischievous as the other. I say you


    better just stick together for life and spare the rest of the world your trouble.” It was clear to him that


    either of them paired with another would be unmatched; no one could handle their level of mischief.


    Looking at Jason’s demeanor, Keith spoke up with dissatisfaction, “Jason, even if Bryce Was hur


    you shouldn’t punish him like that. What if it causes a real problem?”


    With a serene air, Jason said, “I know what I’m doing.”


    Estre gave Jason a sidelong nce and then shot Bryce a sympathetic look. Bryce, taking the cue,


    dramatically lunged for a hug, sobbing, “Estre, Jason is a monster. Last night, he almost killed me.”


    As Estre moved to console Bryce, Jason shot her a frigid stare, “Bryce, try touching her.” Bryce’s


    arms, mid-air, froze, and then he bawled even louder, “Estre, Jason won’t let me hug you.”


    Feeling sorry for Bryce, Estre went over and hugged him. “There, I’ll hug you. That better? If you


    need more, I’ll scout out some goodpany for you.”


    Herment left everyone flushed with embarrassment. This brazen girl.


    Bryce, even more despondent, confessed, “I can’t even think about it anymore. I’m scared I’ll never be


    able to perform again afterst night’s blunder.”


    The room fell silent.


    Estre teased, “Worstes to worst, I’ll apany you for a gender reassignment surgery. Life’s


    easier as a woman, less effort involved.”


    The elders didn’t know where to look.


    Seeing Estre still hugging Bryce, Jason kicked her yfully, “Can’t let go.


    Estre let go and retaliated with a couple of kicks of her own, “Stay away.


    you?”


    from me.”


    Jason’s domineering attitude rubbed his aunt the wrong way, and she couldn’t help but remark


    sarcastically, “Jason, I thought you couldn’t stand Estre. Weren’t you the one insisting on a divorce?


    What’s this about now?


    “When did I ever say I didn’t want her or insist on a divorce?” Jason countered.


    His aunt reminded him, “We all heard it. Estre herself can testify.


    But Jason was adamant. “I never said that.”


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    Keith, seizing the opportunity, shifted the conversation, “Since that’s not the case, you two better start


    working on having kids. Seems to me the only way you’ll straighten up is by bing parents.”


    His aunt looked skeptical. “Jason, are you sure you’re up to it? Maybe you should get some tips from


    Hunter.”


    “That’s right. He’s got three sons, with the youngest being twins.”


    “No need, thank you.” Jason’s expression darkened.


    Jason, no shame if there’s a problem. We’re all family here.”


    Bryce chimed in, “Bro, if you can’t manage, I can put our past behind us and lend a hand.”


    Thatment took a weird turn. As soon as Bryce finished, both Estre and Jason kicked him in


    unison. Bryce looked confused, “What did I say wrong now?”


    His mother spoke up, “You deserved those kicks.”


    Still, Bryce couldn’t figure it out. Everyone was saying the same thing, and why was he the one getting


    hit?


    The group was buzzing with chatter, and Kristin eventually turned to Jason, her gaze locking onto his


    with an intensity thatmanded the room. “Jason, by the end of the year, Estre better be


    expecting, or you’re marching straight to the doctor, no ifs or buts.”, “Yeah, Jason, it’s high time you and


    Estre had a kid. It’s starting to look odd,” another


    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    voice chimed in.


    “Jason, why don’t you let Brycee with you for a check-up at the clinic?” suggested someone else,


    trying to lighten the atmosphere.


    Jason, unfazed by the mounting pressure, casually pulled his hand from his pocket and ced it


    heavily on Estre’s nape, kneading it with a familiarity that spoke volumes. some serious


    “Estre, you sure know how to get everyone on your side. You’ve got s


    skills.”


    Estre, with a scoff that resonated with self-assurance, shrugged off his hand. “What can I say? I’m


    just a good person.”


    Kristin, not satisfied with Jason’s nonchnce bore down on him with a look that could


    ahy or not?” cut steel. “Jason, we need an answer. Are you two going to have a


    Jason lifted his head, feeling the weight of all their stares, the silent anticipation hanging in the air.


    Everyone was waiting for his response.


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