Korey’s words nearly sent Kristin into a fit of rage that could’ve flipped the dinner table


    over.


    “That no-good son of a gun,” she fumed to herself. Such brazen audacity right under her nose! No


    doubt he had been scheming to woo Estre behind the Nelsons’ backs. He must’ve been hell-bent on


    poaching her.


    Despite the storm brewing inside of her, Kristin managed to quell her fury and said with a feigned smile,


    “Fine, I’ll keep an eye out for you!”


    She’s definitely gonna find a girl to give him a run for his money.


    Estre, at the side, rubbed her temples as she watched the silent battle between Kristin and Korey. By


    the time the rather unpleasant dinner ended around 8:30 PM, Estre finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    The charade was over for the day.


    In the backseat of the car, Kristin red at the taillights of the vehicle ahead and said irritably, “Estre,


    Korey’s up to no good. You need to keep your distance from him.”


    Estre replied with a touch of exasperation, “Korey’s just messing with you. He doesn’t have those


    kinds of intentions. He only did that to rile up Jason after seeing us argue.”


    Kristin wasn’t buying it. “That’s what he told you, right? You’re still too naive, Estre. You don’t


    understand men. He’s ying reverse psychology to lower your guard so he can get close to you.


    That’s a ssic move. Don’t fall for it.”


    “Okay, I got it,” Estre conceded.


    Kristin had spoken, and what more could she say? Besides, any objection would only lead to a night of


    endless nagging.


    In the leading vehicle, ke turned to Korey with a puzzled look. “Korey, you’re not known for stirring


    the pot like this. Why’d you go head-to-head with Ms, Kristin today?”


    With a faint smile, Korey replied, “People only treasure what they have when someone else shows


    interest.” He just wanted Estre to feel valued, to have a better life. His thoughts drifted to Holly, and


    his expression turned solemn, reflecting the weight on his mind.


    Half an hourter, when Kristin and Estre arrived at Sandalwood Oasis, Kristin immediately called


    Jason upon noticing his absence, “Jason, why aren’t you home yet? Do you even have a sense of


    time?”


    Jason, listening to his mother’s explosive tone, said, “I had a business engagement. I’ll be


    homete.”


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Kristin let out a sardonicugh, “Your wife’s almost getting snatched away, and you still have the mood


    for socializing?”


    113


    08:14


    In the past, it was always Kristin who rallied Estre to catch cheaters red-handed. Today, she finally


    made that call to her son, urging him to stay alert.


    On the other end, Jason’s voice grew stern, “What happened?”


    Kristin recounted her encounter with Korey, “We ran into Korey at the department store, and he invited


    Estre and me for dinner, tantly flirting with Estre in my presence.”


    Before she could finish, Jason cut in, “Mom, I get it.”


    “Don’t get too caught up in the glitz and mour. Come home early.” Kristin advised. Jason hung up,


    irked by the implication that he was neglecting Estre.


    Ending the call, Jason looked at Drew, “Forget the other appointment. Head back to Sandalwood


    Oasis.”


    “Right away, Mr. Jason,” Drew replied without hesitation, though internally he was puzzled by the


    sudden change in Jason’s mood. It had to be rted to Ms. Estre.


    Drew had been with Jason for years and knew that despite Jason’s aloof demeanor, he was always


    quick to respond to anything concerning Estre.


    Twenty minutester, as Jason entered the house with a cold expression, he found Estre chatting


    with Kristin.


    Kristin had insisted on calling Jason, arguing that a woman shouldn’t be too sensible and must keep


    her man on his toes.


    Upon entering, Jason, with a hint of sarcasm, queried Kristin, “Estre’s been up to no good?”


    As Estre yfully hurled a cushion at him, she retorted, “What, you rushed back to catch me in the


    act?”


    Jason caught the cushion, stepped closer, and gently grasped her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze,


    “I’ll deal with you after I hear Mom out.”


    Kristin, disapproving of Jason’s domineering approach, pped his arm twice, “Is this how you treat


    your wife? She’ll be snatched away if you’re not careful.”


    Unfazed, Jason settled beside Kristin and quipped, “From what you’re saying, you must’ve met


    someone who knows how to pamper his wife. Do tell, so I can learn a thing or two.”


    As Kristin began to vividly recount their encounter with Korey, embellishing the details for effect, Jason


    listened intently. Sometimes, the truth was stranger than fiction, even seasoned with a pinch of


    exaggeration.


    Estre casually cracked open a pack of snack as she listened to Kristin spin a yarn about her and


    Korey. Estre’s demeanor was as if she was hearing a third person’s tale, unaffected and calm,


    without a ripple of concern.


    Jason’s expression shifted like an ever-changing tapestry.


    After Kristin had been talking for a while, Estre handed her a ss of water. Kristin took a sip and


    said, “Jason, I don’t mean to nag as your mother, but when ites to being tender and attentive to


    your wife, you truly fall short. There’s definitely room for improvement. Otherwise, if some other man


    out there is doing right by her, what guarantee do you have that your woman’s heart won’t wander?”


    Jason adjusted his tie and chuckled, “Is that so?”


    They just had sex the night before, and already today, Estre found herself being courted. She really


    did have an irresistible charm.


    After a briefugh, Jason’s gaze shifted lightly to Marie and he inquired, “Marie, is ourte-night snack


    ready?”


    “Mr. Jason, everything’s all set,” Marie confirmed.


    With thete-night snack announced, Jason turned to look at Estre.