Since Jason had asked directly, Holly didn’t beat around the bush and stared at Jason as she said.
“Jason, are you thinking about remarrying Estre?”
Jason fixed a cool gaze on her and retorted, “Got a problem with that?”
He was well aware of Holly’s feelings for him and had made his rejection clear. But Holly had insisted
that friendship was enough for her. They had known each other for years, so Jason didn’t further push
her away.
Jason’s aloof demeanor made Holly frown slightly as she probed further, “Jason, have you forgotten
the fire seven years ago? Have you forgotten how Estre once wanted you dead? Have you forgotten
she has a son now?
Jason’s expression darkened as he shot back icily, “Holly, I don’t need you to worry about my affairs or
remind me.” He had never liked people meddling in his business or giving unsolicited advice, which
was why Holly’s reminder irked him.
Jason was refusing to give her any leeway, so Holly mustered her courage and said, “Jason, did you
forget that I have a copy of the evidence you have against Estre?”
After she said that, Jason fell silent. Over the years, he had given Holly some consideration precisely
because she held evidence against Estre. He didn’t want to stir up this matter again.
After staring at Holly for a long moment, Jason pulled out a cigarette and lighter from his pocket and lit
up. Taking a deep drag, he exhaled a thick ring of smoke and asked, “Holly, do you know what you’re
saying?”
Although she hadn’t spelled it out, she was threatening him.
Holly watched Jason earnestly, “I know what I’m saying, and, Jason, I’m only reminding you for your
own good. Even if I don’t pursue the fire from seven years ago, Estre has a son. You being with her
will just invite ridicule.”
Jason responded indifferently, “That’s my business.”
Holly immediately objected, “I don’t agree.” She continued, “After what Estre has done, why should
she get to have you? Why should you still care for her? Jason, I know I’ll never be with you in this
lifetime, but I won’t agree to you being with Estre, either.”
Though Holly was two years older than Estre, people had alwayspared them, with Holly
invariablying up short. Even in matters of the heart, they happened to both fall for the same man,
which was quite unfortunate.
Holly couldn’t bear losing the man she had loved for so many years to Estre. So even if it meant
Jason would be upset, she had to speak her mind.
Upon hearing Holly’s disagreement, Jason chuckled, and when he did that, he somehow
00.03
Hooked a little bit like Estre..
After stubbing out his cigarette, Jason asked, “And what grounds do you have to disagree?” He didn’t
even let his family dictate his life, so what was Holly to him?
Stung by Jason’s mockery, Holly’s cheeks burned with embarrassment. After a long stare, she said, “I
have the evidence of Estre setting the fire.”
Holly’s deration brought a sharp edge to Jason’s gaze as he looked at her intently. As their eyes
locked, Holly, sensing Jason’s displeasure, said, “Jason, I’m not trying to threaten you, but I simply
can’t ept someone who wanted me dead being with the man I love. I promise, as long as you don’t
get back with Estre, this secret will never reach a third party.”
Even if she couldn’t have Jason, she wouldn’t consent to him being with Estre.
Jasonughed at Holly’s demand. After a long look, his face lost its mocking smile, and he said coldly,
“If you were to disappear, then certainly a third person would never know.”
As Jason’s words fell, Holly’s expression changed instantly, and her gaze towards Jason became
incredulous.
Holly couldn’t believe that Jason would threaten her like
this for the sake of Estre, who wanted him dead. Holly hadn’t anticipated that he would even
entertain the idea of silencing her.
Holly stared motionless at Jason, unable to discern if this was still the Jason she liked. “Jason, do you
realize what you’re saying?” Holly asked, her voice trembling after a long silence.
Jason replied calmly, “Holly, if you let this slip, you’ll bear the consequences.”
With a sarcasticugh, Holly challenged, “Jason, are you so sure you can outmaneuver me and the
Ledford family, or even my brother?”
“For Estre, I’ll give it my all,” Jason dered.
At a loss for words, Holly fell silent.
Jason stood up from the sofa when he saw Holly staring at him without saying a word. “Marie, please
see Holly out,” he said.
When Holly returned to Ravenwood, Jason knew deep down that they couldn’t avoid this confrontation
today. He had extended courtesy to her before, but he wouldn’t be so amodating in the future.
When Holly left Sandalwood Oasis, she was trembling the entire time. She wasn’t sure if it was from
anger or fear. When Jason uttered those harsh words to her, Holly was
genuinely shocked. They had nearly thirty years of history together too, and his connection wasn’t only
with Estre.
Inside the car, Korey was resting with his eyes closed when his assistant reported cautiously, “Mr.
Korey, Miss Holly just paid a visit to Mr. Jason.”
Korey’s expression darkened upon hearing this. He had repeatedly warned Holly to stay out of Estre
and Jason’s rtionship, yet she had defied him.
Heaving a deep sigh, Korey’s countenance grew even more grave. Shortly after arriving home, he saw
Holly walking in, listless. He instructed the maid without hesitation, “Keep an eye on Holly. She’s not to
leave the house without my permission.”
Holly was fuming, her brother Korey’smand to the help only stoking the mes of her anger. “What
gives you the right to lock me up at home? I’m not some pet that you can keep cooped up. Even pets
need to get out and breathe.”
Korey’s icy gaze met hers. “I told you to stay out of Estre and Jason’s business. Did you listen?”
Estre. Always Estre. Holly was sick of it. She scoffed at him. “Don’t tell me you’re also itching to
y daddy to Estre’s kid on the cheap. What’s with you guys? What’s so special about her? Is it just
because she’s got a silver tongue, or because she can handle herself in a…”
Before she could finish, Korey’s hand cracked across her face with a p. The air in the room turned to
ice. Holly’s eyes widened in shock st
at Korey as if she couldn’t
believe he’d hit her.
After a stunned silence, she touched her cheek and said, “Korey, you hit me? Over some other
woman? Do you even know what kind of person Estre is? Do you have any idea what she did back
then?”
As Holly confronted him, Korey’s right hand clenched into a fist, then slowly rxed. He hadn’t meant
to hit Holly, but her words had been too much. Estre’s child was not some cheap child. The kid meant
more to Estre than life itself.
Korey met Holly’s gaze squarely. “Holly, you’d best know when to quit. Don’t y with fire.” His words
only twisted Holly’s features in confusion, but she quickly regained herposure. “Do you know,
Korey? Seven years ago, that fire, it was Estre’s doing. She wanted to…”
She was cut off as Korey summoned the servants. “Take Miss Holly back to her room. Without my
permission, no one opens that door.”
The servants looked awkwardly at Korey. As they were about to speak, Korey added firmly, “Not even
mom and dad.”
The servants understood. “Miss, please, just go back to your room,” they said, circling
around Holly.
As Korey walked away, Holly’s eyes brimmed with tears. “Korey, why do you get to do this to me? Why
hit me? You think this will win Estre over? If you’re so capable, marry her,
don’t take it out on me.”
If her brother had really had an honest conversation with Estre and ended up with her, Holly wouldn’t
have minded if he became a stepfather. She wouldn’t have cared if he lost in this marriage. She would
have been even willing to foot the bill for his wedding with Estre.
But after all these years, he had only harbored a secret crush, never daring to speak his
heart to Estre.
Meanwhile, at the Dorvold residence.
After Bryce and Jesse left, Estre lulled Isaac to sleep with a bedtime story. Kissing Isaac’s forehead,
Estre was about to rest when her bedroom door suddenly opened. Autumn peeked in, waving
Estre out. “Honey,e here a minute. I got something to say to you.”
With a mysterious aura, Autumn beckoned Estre out.
In the downstairs parlor, Autumn took out a stack of photographs and handed them to Estre. “You’re
looking for a father for Isaac, right? These are some candidates I’ve found for you. Take a look, see if
anyone catches your eye, and I’ll arrange a meeting.”
Estre sighed.
Estre did not take the photos, so Autumn spread them out one by one in front of her, introducing
each one. “This one’s a doctor, your age, from a decent family. Ambitious, with a promising career. A
good match for you, I think.”
“And this one’s awyer, just like you. You’d have plenty inmon.”
“Here’s a scientist in the military, very distinguished.”
As Autumn detailed the merits of each man, it seemed like they were all perfect for Estre, all potential
fathers for Isaac.
Estre rubbed her temples. “Mom, I’m swamped with cases, and the Glimmering Lake matter is still
open. I’m in no mood for dating.” And the fire from seven years ago still needed investigating.
Autumn’s expression darkened. “Work is important, but so is life and Isaac’s physical and mental
health.”
When Autumn yed the Isaac card, Estre found herself cornered. Autumn pressed on. “Well? Will
you date or not? Do you care about Isaac’s future?”
09:51 33
Taking in Autumn’s determined face, Estre knew she wouldn’t get any rest tonight unless she agreed.
With a sigh, Estre conceded, “Fine, fine, I’ll date. Are you happy now?” It was apromise, just
going through the motions to appease her mother.
Estre knew Isaac wouldn’t easily ept someone new. His bond with Jason was blood-deep.
Estre’s agreement at this moment was a way to calm Autumn down and bring some peace to the
household.
With Estre’s reluctant agreement, Autumn beamed, picking out her favorite photo. “Let’s start with
this professor, just back from studying abroad. Gentle and kind-hearted, he
seems.”
Estre nced at the photo nonchntly. “Mom, you’ve picked someone who looks like
Jason.”
The man in the photo was indeed simr to Jason, right down to the sses perched on his nose.
Autumn gasped, tossing the photo aside as if it burned her. She shuffled the photos hastily. “I didn’t
realize… Let’s avoid that type, shall we?” If the discarded candidate knew he was passed over for
resembling Jason, he’d surely be heartbroken.
Estre didn’t bother with the selection process. She got up, stretching and yawning, “Mom, you pick.
I’m beat, I’m gonna hit the sack.’
As Estre’s figure retreated, Autumn said firmly, “Estre, let’s settle this then. I’ll arrange the date and
the guy. No excuses, you’re
Mowing up and that’s final.”
Estre tossed back a half-hearted, “Yeah, yeah, I got it.” With that, she turned and went
off to bed.
True to her word, Autumn was quick to act. By the next day, Autumn had already lined up
blind date and set the time for it.
Come Saturday, Autumn practically dragged Estre out of bed to get her to the date.
Having given her word, Estre couldn’t back out now. So, without much fuss over her looks and barely
a swipe of lipstick for makeup, she headed out the door. If Autumn hadn’t reminded her, she would’ve
left the house in her slippers.
Even without any makeup, Estre’s natural beauty shone through. Her simple appearance exuded a
gentle and intellectual aura.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, the guy was already there. Autumn had picked out a doctor, reasoning
it’d be handy to have a connection in the hospital for future needs. When Estre had first heard this,
she simply nodded along. There was no point in arguing logic with Autumn.
In the restaurant, after the initial introductions, the guy seemed quite taken with Estre. Despite her
being divorced with a son, her qualities were outstanding whenpared to
09:51
her peers.
Noticing his interest, Estre inquired, “You do know I’m divorced and have a son, right?”
The man replied, “Your mother mentioned it, but it doesn’t bother me. If we were to get together, we’d
have our own kids in the future anyway.”
Estre was speechless. Had men be so amodating nowadays?
She knew her attributes allowed most men to overlook her past, but Jason’s eptance had nothing to
do with that.
As Estre pondered what to say next, her phone on the table buzzed. It was Jason calling.
Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.
Her expression shifted ever so slightly, but she answered the call. Before Estre could utter a word,
Jason’s voice came through, “Where are you?”
Turning slightly away from her date, she whispered, “Out dining with my son.”
On the other end, Jason let out a sardonic chuckle before pressing, “Estre, since when did you have
a son as old as me?”