Estre sighed, her voice edged with impatiende, “I’m not pregnant.”


    And she thought to herself. “Even if I was, it wouldn’t be yours.”


    Jason, ever the calm in the storm, said gently, “Let’s get you checked out, and we’ll know for sure.” He


    added, “I haven’t been with any other woman, and I won’t be. Just do as I say and get checked. If it


    turns out you are pregnant, there are things we’ll need to focus on.” The more Estre denied it, the


    more Jason was convinced she was indeed expecting. “You have your life, and I have mine,” she


    remarked nonchntly.


    Seeing that she was still miffed, Jason tried to soothe her, “I promise, no more Holly. I won’t have


    anything to do with her.”


    Estre’s rm bells went off. Why was he making promises she hadn’t asked for? All he needed to do


    was finalize the divorce. She raised her hand to stop him, “Hold up, don’t try to butter me up with sweet


    nothings. You can’t even sort out your issues with Serene, and you’re here talking about Holly?”


    Before Jason could respond, Estre unbuckled her seatbelt, “So, if the test is negative, you’lle


    with me to file the papers?”


    “Let’s get the test done first,” Jason replied.


    As Estre stepped out of the car, she stumbled slightly but Jason, with his quick reflexes, caught her


    arm and steadied her. After straightening her clothes, Estre nced at him and continued walking


    with her back straight.


    Jason followed, chuckling, “Feeling guilty?”


    “Just go up and check,” she retorted.


    Jason couldn’t help but wrap his arm around her, just like old times. Estre elbowed him hard, causing


    him to wince, “Are you out of your mind? If you damage my penis, you’re the one who loses.”


    “I’m about to move on, what do I have to lose?” Estre quipped back, as Jason pulled her


    in closer.


    Upon reaching the maternity ward, Estre was ushered to see the deputy director for her


    tests.


    While Estre took a call on the hospital’s balcony, Jason watched her from the hallway, a smile ying


    on his lips. She had grown up so fast, ready to take on the world, maybe even motherhood.


    The fire hadn’t imed Holly, easing Jason’s guilt but increasing his worries, which had led him to seek


    out Cole.


    09:15


    Vhen Estre returned, Dr. Lee had her results, “Mr. Jason, Ms. Estre’s tests


    n the office, Jason gently pushed Estre into a chair before Dr. Lee broke the news, She’s not


    pregnant, but she’s healthy. No need to rush; you’re both young.”


    Jason’s heart sank. “Dr. Lee, could there be a mistake?” he asked. Estre was fertile, and hey hadn’t


    been careful. How could she not be pregnant?


    Dr. Lee assured them the tests were urate, suggesting a second opinion if needed.


    Jason thanked him, his disappointment palpable, and Estre rose to leave with him.


    Exiting the hospital, Jason was visibly upset, and Estre thought it was a good thing that she hadn’t


    told him about the pregnancy. She wasn’t about to let him have that control over her.


    Jason thought he had ties to the hospital. Well she could do that too.


    In the car, Jason stared at Estre, his gaze heavy with unspoken questions. “What, happy you’re not


    pregnant?” he asked abruptly.


    “More or less,” Estre replied, then teased, “You know, with my fertile nature, if I’m not pregnant, you


    might want to…”


    His cold look cut her off, and she silenced herself as he started the car. His health was not an issue,


    and he had been thoroughly checked recently.


    Estre’s work phone rang again, and after a brief conversation, Jason pulled up to a diner known for


    its brunches. He stepped out and returned with bags of breakfast.


    “Thanks,” Estre said, taking the food and wrapping up her call.


    Just then, Jason’s phone buzzed. Drew reported, “Mr. Jason, the Dorvolds won the big the New District


    of Silverbrook project.”


    Holding the steering wheel with one hand and his phone with the other, Jason nced Estre,


    acknowledging the news.


    Estre’s phone rang immediately after, a call from Cole. “Hi Dad.”


    “Estre, the Silverbrook project just got the green light.”


    “As long as we’ve secured the project, that’s all that matters. We’ll keep a close eye on the


    construction.”


    “Estre, considering back to thepany,” Cole suggested.


    N?velDrama.Org content.


    Before Estre stepped in, Cole wasn’t entirely confident about the project. But when


    Estre mentioned she’d keep an eye on it, Cole suddenly felt as if he had support at his


    213


    09:15


    back. His daughter, despite her tender years, had a knack for handling things with a inesse that belied


    her age. Often, her vision was just out of step with the rest.


    When Cole brought up the idea of her returning to the familypany, Estre couldn’t help butugh


    it off, “Dad, let’s talk about thatter, I’ve got to get back to the office now.” With those words, she hung


    up the phone.


    Turning to Jason with a yful smile, she apologized, “Sorry, looks like your duties were a


    bust.”


    After her quip, Estre noticed that Jason was taking a wrong turn and reminded him, ‘This isn’t the


    way to city hall.”


    Jason cast her a sidelong nce, his voice nonchnt, “Didn’t you just say you needed to get back to


    the office?”


    For Jason, Dorvold Group’s acquisition of the Silverbrook project was all within expectations, especially


    since Estre had caused a scene with him that day and he’d stepped back from the whole affair.