It felt like there was no chance he’d be walking out of here today unless he gave them the answer they
wanted.
With his hands casually tucked into his pockets, his gaze settled on Estre. Staring at her. for a while,
Jason said expressionlessly. “Alright.
Estre couldn’t help but let out a smug chuckle at Jason’s concession, as if to say, “I thought you had
more backbone.”
In reality, the pressure from Kristin and Keith meant nothing to him; how he’d respond to the collective
push from the family was entirely up to his current mood. It was his choice to make.
“Jason, you’ve given your word, and now we’re all looking forward to toasting to your new fatherhood
next year.”
“Indeed, it’s about time you settled down,” people chimed in around him.
Jason pulled his right hand out of his pocket and ced it on the nape of Estre’s neck, his voice
calm, “Let’s head back and get the job done.
As Estre lifted her head, Jason nudged her towards the door, guiding her out of the yard
Jason, you get scared too, huh? Estre teased
With one hand still in his pocket and the other on her neck, Jason retorted, “Do you really
believe that?”
She shrugged off his hand and turned to yell into the house, Kristin Before she could finish, Jason had
opened the car door and practically tossed her inside:
The car roared to life shortly after, and as they pulled away, Jason nced at her and remarked,
“You’ve turned the whole Ravenwood upside down
‘Don’t tter me I’m not that influential, Estre replied
As her voice faded, Jason’s phone rang with a work call
While Jason was on the call, Estre absentmindedly scrolled through her phone. Despite Erin’s efforts
to scrubst night’s trending topics and Janie’s public apology, the Lamont family’s stock had still
plummeted at opening, and the losses were substantial
Estre’s phone rang as well, it was a call from Cole
“Dad”
“Estre, I just got a call from Wes asking if we’re interested in the Digital Springs project,” Cole’s voice
was tinged with excitement yet steady.
BEN BEST
??
12:50 M
“Just say yes, Dad.”
This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.
Cole exhaled deeply, “Estre, you should think abouting back to work at thepany.”
She chuckled, “Alright, I’ll let you know when I’ve made up my
up my mind.”
At 23, Estre was in no rush to be tied down, with dreams and ambitions of her own to pursue.
After a brief chat, they hung up. Estre had ensured the quality of materials for Digital Springs not just
as a precaution but as a testament to Dorvold Group’smitment to the project. If Janie hadn’t
caused a scene the hight before, taking on the project would have meant a loss for the Lamont family.
Estre was well-prepared for any oue.
After disconnecting the call, Jason too ended his phone conversation and tossed his phone aside,
saying, “Making the Lamont family take such a big hit, you y rough, Estre.”
Estre responded with a smirk, “If I’m not tough on them, they’ll be tough on me.
Jason, still silent, gently pinched the nape of Estre’s neck. To him, she was like a kite, it seemed she
belonged to him, and she also appeared to need him, always taking the initiative. But their rtionship
was tethered by a thin kite string, fragile and easily severed, and Estre’s ambitions were no smaller
than his.
Jason’s sudden gentleness caught her off guard, and with a yful smile, she teased, “Scared?”
Jason scoffed, “Erin can only spar with you.”
“Really?” Estre’s eyes sparkled, and then she added, “I have a client meeting. Take me to thew
firm.”
Without protest, Jason drove her straight there.
Come evening.
As Estre left work, she noticed a shy blue sports car parked outside thew firm Erin’s ride. Her
pace slowed, even halting for a moment.
–
Erin rolled down the window, a warm smile ying on his lips, “You really manage to bnce your
dream and life so well.”
“It’s a stretch, but manageable,” Estre replied nonchntly.
“Get in. I’ll give you a ride.”
Estre quipped, “I’m afraid your car might be too bumpy for me.” Having just undercut him, she dared
not get into his car. There was no telling what might happen next.
As Estre stood her ground, Erin stepped out of his vehicle. Approaching her at a
12:50
Cuple 57
leisurely pace, Erin’s voice held a teasing edge, Estre, are you scared?”
Estre’s hands remained in the pockets of her ck wide-leg pants as she nced at his car, “Next
time you want to pick me up, bring a better car” it was a jab at Erin, who had recently lost a car race to
Jason.
Erin didn’t lose his temper but kept the same warm smile, countering, “Better than your little Audi worth
a few tens of thousands?”
Estre replied, “I don’t care what I drive, but when ites to a man’s car, I only ride in limited
editions.”
She was referencing Erin’s failed attempt to outdo Jason, and Erin’s response was to shift the
conversation to business. “Let’s talk about the legal representation for the Lamont family,” Erin
suggested.
Estre burst intoughter, “Erin, is this your way of pledging allegiance? Still eyeing the project?”
With the Lamont family stripped of their representation and their stocks on a downward spiral, Erin’s
visit was likely an attempt to curry favor with Estre in hopes of involving the Lamont family in the
Digital Springs project, even if just in name.
Realizing his intentions, Estre couldn’t help but tease him further, “Do you really think I’m that
easy to talk down, Erin? That I’d throw the Lamont family a lifeline?”
He had teamed up with the Manning family more times than he could count, and this time she had
finally caught her chance. Estre wouldn’t rest until she had them begging for mercy. Why on earth
would she give them an opportunity to recover?
Erin took two steps forward, leaned in close, and whispered into her ear, “Estre, having one more
friend is always better than one more enemy.”
Estre retorted, “Don’t try to brainwash me. I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but I’m not
foolish enough to invite the wolf into my home.” If the Dorvold family were ever to fall from grace, Erin
would be the first to kick them while they were down, the first toe out and shame her. It wasn’t just
because of the family ties; more importantly, she was Jason’s wife, and he had always wanted to outdo
Jason.
Erin’s eyes grew colder. “So, you’re immune to persuasion and charm?”
Estre looked up, straightening Erin’s cor with a smirk. “What if I am?” If she showed any weakness
to the Lamont family today, it would be like nting mines in her own. backyard. She wasn’t so blind to
danger, nor did she have the luxury of excessivepassion.
was
“Estre, you’re bing more and more interesting to me.”
Estre just smiled. “Is that so? But you’re still light years away from Jason.”
She couldn’t allow Erin’s focus to remain solely on her. She needed to divert some of his
12:50
attention to Jason.
When Estre suggested he was no match for Jason, Erin’splexion shifted noticeably. The
atmosphere tensed, and suddenly the insistent re of a car horn interrupted the standoff.
Both instinctively turned their heads to look.
12:50
??