The car door swung open, and Korey’s secretary stepped out, extending a greeting to Ms. Estre.
The subtle smile on Erin’s lips carried a significant meaning.
“ke,” Estre greeted nonchntly, as if it were any ordinary day.
I
ke smiled and said to Estre, “Ms. Estre, can’t thank you enough for helping those construction
guys get their overdue pay. Korey would like to take you out for a meal, to express his gratitude in
person.”
“Sure thing.” Estre agreed promptly, then turned to Erin. “Mr. Lamont, I’ll take my leave
now.”
Erin responded with a chuckle, “Seems like Jason’s got some stiffpetition.”
Unruffled by Erin’s taunting, Estre took a couple of steps forward, leaned in slightly, and whispered in
a low voice, “So, Erin, you’re not in my league.”
Erin’s gaze hardened, his eyes taking on a chill as they followed Estre.
Estre, however, simply smiled nonchntly, casually straightened Erin’s cor, and -walked away.
ke held open the back door of the car for her, and as Estre slid inside, Korey caught Erin’s eye
and nodded casually at him. Erin’s expression darkened as he watched the car drive away. He was all
too aware that in Ravenwood, where the talented were many, his journey to the top was still long.
The engine of the luxury car hummed to life as Korey spoke with a warm cordiality. “Estre, I really
appreciate what you didst time. I’ve been meaning to take you out for dinner but got tied up with
meetings out of town.”
Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.
Estre offered a polite smile. “You’re being too formal, Korey.”
Their conversation flowed as the driver steered the vehicle toward a private bistro. Estre wasn’t keen
on attending Korey’s dinner invitation, but since he hade all the way to thew firm, and with Erin
present that day, she feltpelled to ept.
Meanwhile, at Sandalwood Oasis.
Upon returning, Jason, noticing Estre’s absence, sent Drew to track her whereabouts. Soon after,
Drew reported back, “Sir, Mr. Erin sought out Ms. Estre this evening.”
Jason’s face clouded over with a mix of emotions. “Where is she now?”
On the other end, Drew cautiously continued, “Mr. Korey also approached Ms. Estre
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ning with bir
today. She’s currently and I presume…”
I
a spring
Before Drew could finish, the bedroom door burst open. Estre’s voice, fresh as breeze, filled the
room, “You’re back already? Weren’t you just giving me lip service? What’s this, a change of heart?”
As Estre entered, Jason tossed his phone aside with a flick of his wrist. She nced at him,
shrugged off her coat, and hung it on the tack.
Jason, hands in his pockets, watched her with a frosty demeanor. “Where’ve you been?” Estre,
feeling the weariness in her neck, replied, “Just had dinner with a friend.” Jason’s arm snaked around
Estre’s waist, pulling her close. “What friend? Care to say the name?”
Estre, half-amused, half-bewildered, asked, “Jealous?”
Her yful smirk did little to appease Jason. Holding her chin, he said firmly, “Estre, if the Dorvold
family intends to establish a stable presence in Ravenwood, I’m sure you know what you should and
shouldn’t do, and who to keep at arm’s length.”
Estre’s smile faded as she met his gaze squarely. “Are you threatening me, Jason?” She hated
threats, and what right did Jason have to make them?
Before her smilepletely disappeared, Estre brushed his hand away, asking calmly, “So, Jason,
you really think I can’t stand up to you?”
The tone of the conversation had shifted, and Estre knew she couldn’t take his words
lightly.
“Are you dering war, Estre?” Jason’s tone was sharp.
Estre, not in the mood for a fight, grabbed her pajamas from the closet and said evenly, “Nobody’s
dering war. Just a reminder: my parents and the Dorvold Group are my lines in the sand. Don’t cross
them.”
With that, she headed for the bathroom, but Jason caught her arm and pulled her back. into his
embrace. Estre, fed up, lost her usualposure and snapped, “Enough, Jason! You keep Serene
close to you, and you expect me to make a scene every day? Should I just give up on my work and
life?”
Her outburst only fueled Jason’s anger further. “Every time you meet with Korey, you pick a fight with
me. It seems your heart has already wandered.”
Estre was exasperated. “Yes, my heart has flown away. Now what? What do you want to do about
it?”
Their quarrels seemed endless, and she wished he would just stay away. Exhausted from her hectic
life, she had no energy left for his tantrums.
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At her words, Jason turned away, hands still pocketed, and fell silent. After a moment of silence, he
turned around and looked at Estre coldly, saying, “Estre, do you think you are the victim in this?”
Her brows furrowed. “Are you saying you are? you have something to say, Jason, just say it. There’s
no need to beat around the bush. I’m not someone who shies away from responsibility or
confrontation.”
His response was to light a cigarette and walk over to the floor-to-ceiling windows. As smoke filled the
room, Jason faced Estre again. “It sounds like you’re waiting for me to speak up.”
“Don’t bother,” Estre replied, too weary to argue. “It’s clear enough what you want. I’m just the one
who’s too stubborn to see it, right?”
Before she could finish, Jason cut her off. “What have I made clear?”
Their domestic battlefield was set, with neither side willing to yield.
want to
Estre’s voice was a mixture of frustration and resignation. “Jason, if you really tally up our ounts,
let’s settle them today. We’ve been married for over two years, and you haven’t even thrown me a
wedding reception. You’ve never bought me anything, and don’t even have a wedding ring to speak of.”
She took a deep breath, her chest heaving slightly as she prepared to unload more grievances that had
been simmering beneath the surface. “And then there’s Serene. You keep her by your side as if she’s
at your beck and call, ready toe and go with a snap of your fingers. You take her to all sorts of
events, big and small. It’s always her, isn’t it?”
Her voice cracked, a blend of anger and hurt, as she delivered the question that had been haunting
her. “Tell me, Jason, between her and me, who is really your wife?”
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