Bryce was relentless in his efforts to persuade Estre to get a divorce, and even Jesse was moved by
his dedication. She yed Bryce a recording she’d made, “Bryce, I’ve got the recording all set. Once
Estre gets back, we’ll just y it for Jason, so she doesn’t have toe up with an excuse to dump
him.”
When Bryce saw that Jesse had made a recording, he lunged to snatch the phone away.
Each time Jason knocked him down a peg, Bryce would simmer down for a bit, but as soon as he
recovered, he’d be back at it, egging Estre on to cut ties. For over two years, not a single day did
Bryce relent from this self-appointed mission.
Estre, watching Jesse and Bryce chase each other around her, instinctively shielded her belly,
fearing they might bump into her.
“Estre, you better get Jesse to delete that recording quick,” Bryce pleaded with Estre, unable to
snatch Jesse’s phone. “If Jason hears that, he’s gonna skin me alive.”
N?velDrama.Org content.
With one hand in her pocket and the other gently resting on her belly, Estre said, “So, are we still on
for the sting operation or not?”
“Absolutely.” Bryce’s voice shot up an octave, as he was here specifically for that purpose. Then he
added, “Estre, you feeling okay? You’ve been guarding your belly this whole time.”
Estre dropped her hand, “Just cramps.”
Bryce, uncertain, asked, “Is it that time of the month?”
Estre pushed Bryce’s head yfully and then the trio headed into the karaoke bar. If it weren’t for
Bryce dragging her out, Estre would have been home sleeping by now.
They entered the private room to find an assortment of trendy and attractive guys lounging on the
sofas, with a bevy of gorgeous girls of all types standing before them. The guys were picking out their
favorites.
With her hands tucked into the pockets of her cozy brown cardigan, Estre casually remarked, “Bryce,
I had no idea you were such a yer.” Was she here to catch him, or to catch Jason?
At Estre’s words, Bryce lost his cool and started hurling shoes at the guys on the sofa, “Go to hell!
Who told you to invite escorts? Didn’t I say someone important wasing? Are you doing this on
purpose?”
After chewing the guys out, Bryce sternly ushered the girls out.
The guy in the center threw Bryce’s shoe back to him, “You never said that someone was ady,”
Bryce, fuming, slipped his shoes back on and opened all the vents and air conditioning in the room,
asking sternly, “No one smoked, right?”
“Nope,” the guys shook their heads. Estre couldn’t stand the smell of Estre, so wherever Bryce
was, smoke was a no-go.
After Bryce’s tantrum, he introduced Estre and Jesse to everyone, “This is Estre, the most
important person I talked about, and Jesse, the young miss from the Manning family.” He didn’t
mention that Estre was his sister-inw.
The guys greeted them, “Hi E, hi Jesse.”
“Make sure you take good care of these two.”
“No problem,” they assured.
After Bryce gave the word, the guys who had earlier been acting high and mighty, ready to select their
girls, quickly turned into sycophants, ready to entertain Estre and Jesse.
Estre, with her easy-going and generous nature, quickly joined the crowd in their fun. Every so often,
she’d catch Bryce’s eyes, and he’d reassure her, “Estre, don’t worry. I’m on it. I guarantee you we’ll
catch my bro tonight and you can get that marriage annulled.”
Bryce had a spy keeping an eye on Jason’s room. When nothing untoward happened, he
enthusiastically sent in a flock ofdies, certain Jason couldn’t resist.
Estre watched Bryce, amused, wondering how Jason would deal with Bryce’s
scheming.
He had already sent Bryce off to build schools in remote areas, subjected him to medicinal baths he
had to endure, and arranged for a group of men to give him
massages. What would Jason do this time? At the moment, Estre was actually looking forward to
Jason’s tactics.
Soon enough, Bryce’s informant reported back that Jason’s room had sent all thedies away, iming
there had been a mix-up at the karaoke bar.
Bryce’s brows furrowed in frustration. Why weren’t they taking the bait?
As Bryce’s expression grew grim, Estre gave him a ‘you deal with this’ look and headed to the
restroom outside.
Just as she reached the restroom, she caught a glimpse of a slender figure passing by at the end of the
hallway. Instinctively quickening her pace, Estre followed, but by the time she got there, the figure
had vanished. Gazing at the spot where the figure had disappeared, Estre couldn’t shake the feeling
that the events of the past were not as straightforward as they seemed.
When she returned to the restroom and fancied her reflection in the mirror, Estre’s thoughts lingered
on the silhouette she’d seen and the Maseratis she’d encountered before.
09:28
“Estre,” someone called from behind her as she pondered. “You are Estre, right?”
She turned to see a young man in a suit, looking at her excitedly. “Yes, I’m Estre,” she replied, wiping
her hands with a paper towel.
“I’m Dominic,” the man introduced himself, “I attended Ravenwood College too, a couple of years
ahead of you in the Law program. We evenpeted in a debate tournament together. Do you
remember?”
Estre looked at the young man, her memory failing to ce him.
Seeing her nk expression, Dominic continued with excitement, “Even though you were younger, you
were like an idol to us back then. Oh right, our club is having a get-together tonight. You shoulde
along, Estre.”
“What club?” she inquired.
“Chess,” he replied.
Hearing this, Estre realized what Jason had been up to. He, too, was a member of the chess club at
Ravenwood College, as was Serene. No wonder Bryce had mentioned they were together. It must be a
college club reunion.
Before Estre could even respond, the boy grabbed her arm and whisked her towards the private
suite, saying, “Estre,e take a seat. We’ve got a bunch of big shots from Ravenwood College
here today. You were a legend at Ravenwood too. If I bring you in there, it’s going to blow everyone’s
mind.”
Chatting excitedly, the boy pulled Estre to Suite 888, flung the door open, and announced to the
room, “Guess who I just ran into?”
As he finished, everyone’s gaze turned toward the doorway.
“Estre!”
“Estre!”
With her congenial nature, ster academics, and good looks, Estre had been incredibly popr
back in school. Her arrival as a freshman had caused quite the sensation, eclipsing even the buzz that
surrounded Holly when she started. Guys from the neighboring universities were green with envy,
iming that Ravenwood had snagged a goddess.
So when Estre appeared before them now, everyone was stunned, rising from their seats as if in one
ord.
Though she was a celebrity of sorts, Estre was usually understated, especially after graduation.
News about her was scarce until she made headlines with a few high-profile
cases.
“The queen herself! Dominic, you’ve really outdone yourself today.”
09:28
“Tell me about it. Estre’s been the queen of our Law Department for years. Seeing her is better than
winning the lottery.”
“Hey, Estre, I’ve got a spot right here next to me.”
“There’s room by me too, Estre.”
Amid the warm wees from her seniors, Estre’s gaze drifted towards Jason, who seemed to be
the only one not thrilled to see her.
Serene, sitting beside him, quickly shuffled to the side to create some space between
them.
“Estre.” Grayson was also there, standing to greet her.
With a smile, Estre approached and extended her right hand. “Grayson. Long time no
see.”
Grayson was momentarily taken aback. They had just had dinner together not too long
ago.
Estre was ying her part, so Grayson yed along, taking her hand with a smile. “It’s been a
while.”
After the greetings, he cast a nce at Jason, whose expression was something to
behold.
Jason hadn’t wanted to join this gathering. He had been cornered at Nelson International and all but
dragged here.
Following Grayson’s nce, Estre turned to Jason with a smile. “Mr. Jason, there are. It’s been
years, and you look more distinguished than ever.”