Estre, unfazed, began to speak, “Of course its…”


    She couldn’t finish her sentence before Jason shot her a chilling look that made her swallow her words.


    Fine, have it your way,” she conceded with a sigh. She thought to herself, ‘Such a petty man with


    double standards.’


    To keep the peace, Estre pocketed the harsh words she wanted to say.


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Estre didn’t pull her hand away or protest when he made their rtionship public. Jason grabbed her


    hand, and their fingers intertwined. They had barely reached the entrance when Bryce, all hustle and


    bustle, approached them. “Estre, where’ve you been? I waited ages and finally came looking for


    you.”


    11


    Noticing Estre’s hand in someone else’s, Bryce didn’t even grant Jason a nce. He just whisked


    Estre away, looping his arm through hers. “I’ve got the gang together to keep youpany,” he said.


    Estre’s voice was tinged with sarcasm. “Don’t be shy on my ount.” Herment wasn’t just about


    Bryce’s presumptuous behavior but also about his disregard for Jason.


    Bryce chuckled. “C’mon, we are friends.”


    Estre had to remind him, “Did you see the man behind you?”


    Only then did Bryce take notice of Jason’s brooding presence behind him. He jumped at the sight of


    Jason’s dark stare, then casually said, “Hey, bro. You’re here too. Just make sure Serene’s taken care


    of. I’ve got E covered.”


    Jason shoved his hands in his pockets and watched Bryce in silence.


    Unphased by Jason’s presence, Bryce told his friends, “The queen bee has returned. Make sure you


    treat her right.”


    “And remember,” Bryce added, “she can’t stand smoke, so no cigarettes tonight, guys.”


    With that, Bryce seated Estre amidst a group of eager young men.


    “Hey, let’s continue our game. If you win, I’ll crack walnuts with my bare hands for you,” one of them


    said.


    “Sure thing.”


    “Need a drink? Here’s some milk.”


    “Want some fruit? Just open up.”


    Bryce’s friends were just as quirky as he was.


    Jason watched from afar as a circle of young guys entertained Estre – ying games,


    09.20


    feeding her snacks, and massaging her shoulders. His face was a tapestry of emotions.


    Bryce sure knew how to charm Estre.


    “You and Estre are still this tight, huh?” someone remarked.


    “Definitely.”


    “Good for you. Staying close to Estre for so long, you got your eye on her?”


    Bryce, ever carefree, boasted, “Of course, I am the best.” He didn’t mention pursuing Estre, let alone


    the fact that she was married, and certainly not that she was married to Jason.


    Bryce, aw student from Ravenwood College like Estre, followed her lead into the program but


    eventually ended up drifting through a job at Nelson International.


    Estre was happily ying games with people, while severalw department guys were on the


    sidelines, cheering for Estre and watching as some other people skillfully cracked open walnuts with


    bare hands.


    Jesse, with azy posture, lounged beside Estre, arm draped over the back of the couch as if


    Estre were her girlfriend. She took particr delight in Jason’s glowering.


    How the tables had turned, Jason now watched as Estre became the center of attention.


    Jason’s internal struggle was palpable. Admitting Estre was his wife in this context would’ve been too


    humiliating.


    “Jason.” Serene called out to him cautiously as he returned to his seat, his expression frosty.


    Jason didn’t respond, his focus solely on Estre, who wasughing joyously. He longed to whisk her


    away from the adoring crowd.


    After a while, Estre suggested a break from the games, concerned for one of the bo whose hands


    were reddened from cracking walnuts. Ready to cater to her, Bryce’s frie started massaging Estre’s


    shoulders and arms.


    Their conversation meandered from case discussions to reminiscing about their colleg days. A girl who


    had been chatting with Grayson suddenly mentioned, “Jason used to date Holly back in school, right?


    Holly was quite popr too, but it’s such a pity what happened.”


    The mention of Holly caught Grayson, Jason, and even Serene off guard. Jesse and Bryce nced at


    Estre, who remained cool and collected. She continued to snack on nuts, her legs crossed casually,


    waiting for the girl to continue.


    Jason’s eyes remained frosty as he watched the girl who brought up the past. Grayson, sensing the


    tension, intervened, “Is that so? I can’t quite remember. Let’s not discuss


    those who aren’t here.”


    “I didn’t mean to gossip,” the girl rified. “We’re all alumni here, just reminiscing. It’s just that if Holly


    were still around, she’d probably be married to Jason by now, right?”


    At this, even Serene turned to look at Estre, who seemedpletely unaffected, popping nuts and


    waiting for the girl to go on.


    Jason, with his signatureid-back drawl, responded to the spective chatter, “I won’t be marrying her


    and for the record, I’m already hitched.”


    “Mr. Jason, you’re married?”


    “What? When did you tie the knot, Mr. Jason?”


    “This is blockbuster news! I gotta spill the beans in our alumni chat.”


    Off to the side, Estre waszily cracking nuts, a smirk ying on her lips that now shone with an


    even more radiant smile. Who knew Jason had such a knack for ying it cool?


    Beside Jason, Serene turned her gaze to him, then flicked it back to Estre, her eyes brimming with


    both envy and sorrow. In Jason’s heart, the person he cared about the most must have been Estre,


    even more than Holly.


    “So, Jason, who’s the luckydy that got you to settle down so young?”


    “Seriously, if Estre here hadn’t dered her love for thedies, I’d have bet you two were a match


    made in heaven. Was even thinking of ying Cupid.”


    “Come on, Jason, who’s your wife? Can you give us a hint?”