When Jason arrived, Bryce and the others toned down their chatter, abandoning their private


    conversations for some inconsequential gossip.


    After dinner, Bryce walked home with Jesse, while Estre naturally returned to Sandalwood Oasis with


    Jason. They exchanged sparse, trivialments in the car, but the atmosphere was rtively


    harmonious.


    Upon arriving, Estre had somehow already fallen asleep without Jason noticing. He gazed at her for


    a moment before deciding to pick her up and carry her inside. Jason realized she hadn’t gained much


    weight. Her 5’7″ frame was still feather-light.


    “Back already?” Marie whispered with a soft chuckle as she greeted Jason, who was carrying Estre


    in.


    “Mm,” Jason replied curtly, taking Estre upstairs and gentlyying her on the bed.


    Kneeling by the bed, Jason was haunted by the memory of their midnight talk when Estre mentioned


    how his push had caused her internal bruising. His heart clenched ufortably. He also thought


    about how she hadn’t informed him of her car ident.st year and how she preferred to call Jesse to


    take her to the hospital rather than reach


    out to him.


    Jason watched her in silence for a moment, remembering the p he had given her, remembering the


    fire she was used of setting. Despite his reluctance to believe she was guilty, the evidence was


    damning. Their rtionship was irreparably altered.


    Estre stirred in her sleep, and Jason, expressionless, stood up. She did not wake as he pulled the


    covers over her.


    Meanwhile, Bryce had just dropped Jesse off at her ce when her father, Tori, called. Annoyed, Jesse


    hung up, but Tori called right back.


    “Look, I’m already in bed,” Jesse snapped when she picked up. “Whatever it is, can wait till


    tomorrow.”


    Tori’s voice came through, unbothered. “Come home now. The driver’s right behind you, and there’s no


    need to make things difficult.”


    Jesse nced back to see the driver standing a few feet away, then begrudgingly got into the car,


    muttering about the inevitability of facing her father eventually.


    Half an hourter, Jesse arrived at the Manning residence. Tori, along with Damita and Melinda, were


    at home. They were all smiles until Jesse entered, casting a shadow over their merriment as if she


    were there to collect debts.


    “You’re home,” Damita greeted her with a chilling tone,


    09-14


    Once upon a time, Damita feigned warmth, but as the rift between Jesse and Tori grew, she couldn’t


    bother to pretend.


    Jesse stuffed her hands in her pockets and faced Tori, “What’s it, Dad? Make it quick. Don’t waste my


    time.”


    Before Jesse could continue, Damita interjected, “Look at her, Tori, no trace of femininity left. What kind


    of girl cuts her hair short like that? Acts so brashly? Speaks to her father in such a manner?”


    “If Melinda was like this, I’d be driven mad by both my children,” Damitamented as if she had always


    regarded Jesse as her own.


    Melinda stepped in, trying to mediate, “Enough, Mom. Jesse has her own preferences, and we


    shouldn’t judge.”


    The act between Damita and Melinda only darkened Tori’s mood. Damita’s provocation made him view


    Jesse not as a daughter but as an adversary.


    Jesse dismissed their charade. “Spare me the act, will you?”


    Damita red up. “Tori, do you see this? Look at the disrespect! She doesn’t care about


    either of us.”


    Tori, a man who valued power and demanded obedience, was incensed by Jesse’s defiance. “You’ll


    clear your schedule this Saturday,” Tori stated coldly. “You’ll have lunch with Hanson, and our families


    will have dinner. No arguments. It’s been arranged by your grandparents.”


    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.


    Jesse was taken aback, but she quickly pieced together that Tori must’ve influenced their decision. “I


    won’t be going. You can go without me,” Jesse’s voice was icy.


    Tori’s anger boiled over. “You’ll agree to this marriage whether you like it or not. Do forget you’re a


    daughter of the Manning family and a shareholder in Manning International. If you want to live selfishly,


    relinquish your shares and sever ties with th family. Then you can do as you please.”


    Tori’s furious logic was met with Jesse’s sarcasticughter. Estre was right. Tori was after her shares.


    Jesse, hands still pocketed, faced her father defiantly, “Dream on about getting my shares.”


    Damita leaned in, her voice dripping with condescension. “Why would a girl like you need so many


    shares? You must know that Estre and Bryce are as cunning as theye. Your dad’s only looking


    out for you. Handing over your shares to him is the right move.”


    Jesse shot back without missing a beat, “Dream on.”


    With a nonchnt shrug, she pulled her hand from her pocket and dusted off her jeans. “I won’t be at


    the gathering on Saturday, and I’m definitely not transferring my shares. My


    0010


    life, my rules. I don’t need you or anyone else to call the shots for me.”


    She added firmly, “I came here today to make my stance clear. So, Tóri, do yourself a favor and stop


    ringing me up.”


    Tori’s face turned a shade of crimson, veins throbbing at his neck, as he barked orders at the help,


    “Lock her up in her room. She’s marrying whether she likes it or not.”


    As the domestic staff moved to seize Jesse, she spun around, locking eyes with Tori. “You can imprison


    me, force me down the aisle, but let’s get one thing straight. If mywyer can’t reach or see me in three


    days, my 21% stake in Manning International will vanish from the Manning family’s grasp. It’ll be


    donated. So, Tori, you might as well get used to clutching your measly 20%. Manning International


    could slip through your fingers at any


    moment.”