Watching Erin and Pa saunter toward them, Bryce’s eyes rolled so far back he could probably see
his brain. Jesse, hands casually tucked into her jeans pockets, positioned herself protectively in front of
Estre.
“What a coincidence, Erin. You decided to grace us with your presence at the meeting?” Bryce drawled
with a smirk.
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Erin returned a polite smile. “Bryce, you seem to have a lot of free time on your hands.” His gaze briefly
flitted to Estre and Jesse before he added, “Aren’t you worried that if you keep loafing around, you
might end up not being able to put food on the table?”
His words were a clear jab, suggesting Bryce held no real power at Nelson International.
“Rx, even if I hit rock bottom, I’ve got my E to take care of me. I don’t have to scheme against my
own flesh and blood like you do, Erin.”
The moment Bryce finished, Erin’s usually mild expression darkened momentarily but swiftly regained
itsposure. Approaching Bryce, Erin straightened Bryce’s cor with a smile and said, “Bryce, I
hope you can always be this carefree.”
“Don’t worry, Erin. I n on it,” Bryce replied confidently.
Seeing her brother subtly insulted, Pa red at Bryce and snapped, “You’re not even in the same
league as Jason. One day, you’ll get what’sing to you.”
“I’ll be buried in the Lamont family plot, so it’s none of your concern,” Bryce retorted,
unfazed.
Erin and Bryce exchanged barbs, but Erin’s attention soon turned to Estre. “Estre, you’ve got quite
the nerve.”
He didn’t spell it out, but Estre knew he was referring to the mess with Rachel, assuming it was her
doing. Without admitting anything, Estre replied with a smile, “We’re both quite adept at ying the
game.”
She reminded him of his own ruthlessness, especially how he had treated Ruby, despite their past
connections.
Erin’s eyes darkened, not expecting his dealings with Ruby toe to light. But then again, Estre
was awyer.
Facing Erin’s stare, Estre quipped, “Aren’t you afraid Ruby might turn the tables one day with such a
vicious approach?”
Adjusting his sses, Erin coolly responded, “If you’re not worried, Estre, why should I be?”
Since the Digital Springs debacle, the Lamont family’s stocks had plummeted, but Erin had
11:34
bounced back, snatching two projects right from under Dorvold Group’s nose. When Estre was about
to retaliate, Cole held her back, advising against constant
confrontation for everyone’s sake.
Pa, seething, dismissed Estre’s input, “Why waste words on her? She’s not worth our time.” Then,
addressing Estre directly, Pa warned, “Don’t get too cocky. Jason will never fall for someone like
you. You can’t even give him a child. Just wait until I take him. from you, and you’ll be kicked to the
curb.”
Estre and Jason had been married for over two years, and although the Nelson family elders
protected her, they wouldn’t favor a Mrs. Nelson who couldn’t bear children forever. If in a few months,
by their third anniversary, Estre remained childless, her position. would indeed be precarious.
Estreughed it off, “Sure, I’ll be waiting for you to try.”
Bryce chuckled at the thought of Pa taking Jason off their hands. If she wanted to,
with him. E certainly wouldn’t miss that drama.
her spar with
After Erin’s phone rang and he took the call, he and Pa excused themselves and left. Bryce, with
his hands still in his pockets, watched the siblings walk away and muttered, “ssy. She thinks she
can just take Jason? I’d gift wrap him for her.”
“I’ll chip in for the wrapping paper, Jesse quipped.
let
Over the next two days, Jason was tied up in meetings, while Estre was busy with her director or
buried in case files. Bryce and Jesse headed back downtown ahead of her.
Estre returned to the city on Monday afternoon with her colleagues. “Estre, you’re back.” Kristin
greeted her warmly as soon as Estre stepped through the door.
A maid took Estre’s luggage, and she hung her coat on the rack. “Hey, what brings you here?”
“Just checking in on you,” Kristin replied. “Estre,e see if you like this gift.”
“What’s the big mystery this time?” Estre teased as Kristin led her to the living room.
Upon seeing the stunning sapphire jewelry set on the table, Estre’s smile faded slightly.
“Do
you
like this sapphire set, Estre? I went through quite a bit of trouble to get it,” Kristin said, likely aware of
the pink diamond ne Jason had gifted to Serene and thus offering this set as an apology on his
behalf.
Estre, understanding the gesture, turned to Kristin. “I love it, truly.”
Bryce had spilled the beans about the ne. They might not be able to control Jason, so they’d let
his mother handle it.
When Kristin insisted, Estre gratefully epted, “Well, if you insist, I won’t refuse.”
11:34
No sooner had Estre received the gift than Jason arrived home.
Kristin’s face soured instantly when she saw him walk through remember your way home? Remember
you have a family?”
e door. “Oh, so you
Jason was busy slipping off his shoes. “What’s got into you? Did someone spike your cereal with
gunpowder?”
“I wish it was just gunpowder. Feels more like I’ve swallowed a whole nuke,” Kristin shot
back.
Estre, sensing the brewing storm and preferring to steer clear, clutched her jewelry and headed
upstairs.
Once Estre was out of sight, Kristin closed in on Jason and pinched his ear. “You little brat, what’s
wrong with you? You gave Serene such extravagant gifts, and paraded her in front of Estre-how do
you think that makes her feel?”
Since that call from Bryce, Kristin had barely caught a wink of sleep in two days.
Jason wriggled free from her grasp. “She wouldn’t give a second nce to my stuff.”
Kristin’s hand swung
out,nding several ps across his face. “Is it really her who’s not interested, or is it just that you’re
heartless? Do you have any idea how much Estre has put up with these past two years?”
No wedding, no ring-heck, they hadn’t even taken their wedding photos. If it were Kristin, she’d have
turned the Nelson family household upside down by now.
Before Jason could get a word in, Kristin went on, “Get rid of Serene immediately, or ! swear I’ll take
matters into my own hands.”
Jason’s expression darkened. “Mom, it is none of your business. Go get some rest.”
With that, he ushered Kristin out the door.
As the car started up, Kristin took onest look at the vi, her mind still troubled by Jason’s antics. She
couldn’t just sit by and watch.
At the vi entrance, Jason watched as Kristin finally disappeared from view. Hands in his pockets, he
breathed a sigh of relief. A momentter, he pushed open the bedroom door to find Estre, freshly
changed.