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Chapter 47
Confusion clouded Estrella’s eyes as she stared at Jason, unable to fathom his actions. She had thought he was off drafting a divorce agreement, not launching into an impromptu lip-lock.
As Jason’s insistent kiss pushed her back step by step, Estrella tumbled onto the plush bed, his hands interlocking with hers firmly. His breath warmed her ear as he whispered, “Estrella, let’s cut to the chase. You just want me to come around more often, and to cement this marriage, right?”
Estrella turned her face towards him, her voice tinged with defiance. “Is that a crime now?” Jason’s breath heated her ear again as he murmured, “I’ll give you what you want.”
With that, he captured her lips once more.
While Jason’s kisses were fervent, Estrella’s mind drifted to the image of Serene serving him soup, their visits to the cemetery, and his lingering memories of Holly.
– “Estrella, how will you know if those fortune tellers are right or wrong if you don’t give it a shot? Are you really willing to hang all your hopes on this one man?”
– “Forget about having kids.”
Despite Jason’s rare initiative that evening, Estrella’s thoughts were elsewhere. Was she truly ready to have a child with him? Could she maintain her composure and contentment as a single mother if they divorced and Jason moved on to marry and have children with someone else?
Estrella realized, almost to her own surprise, that her mindset had shifted subtly over the past months. The idea of parting ways with Jason had even flickered through her mind more than once.
With these thoughts crowding her mind, Estrella suddenly pushed Jason away. “I’m just not feeling it tonight.”
No matter how much she wanted to complete the most important task of her life, Estrella couldn’t force herself to go through with it, not when compliance seemed impossible. Besides, knowing Jason’s temperament, he might just toss her a couple of pills in the morning, and then she’d be left worse off than before, utterly frustrated by him.
At Estrella’s refusal, Jason gripped her chin. “You don’t want this?”
strella chuckled. “Jason, you can’t possibly think I’m helpless without you, can you?” She
ed his hand away, adding, “Besides, I’m feeling guilty. Scared you might find out something.”
Jason’s mood soured at her words, his expression darkening.
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Seeing his reaction, Estrella quickly opened the bedroom door. “I’m going to sleep next door. Sweet dreams. She quipped before dashing away.
In the bedroom, Jason’s expression was predictably stormy. By the time he pursued her to the next room, Estrella had already locked the door from the inside.
The next morning, Jason woke up with a grim look on his face to find that Estrella had already left for the law firm. His mood worsened, and he headed to the office without even touching his breakfast.
Meanwhile, over at Lamont Corporation, Hunter learned that the Dorvold Group had not lowered their budget for the construction project, instead, they’d raised the quality of the materials at the same price point. Hunter’s face grew stern. They could either give up or up their game and take a loss by matching the material upgrade. Cole was playing hardball.
Erin, looking over the Dorvold Group’s project budget, let out a soft laugh. “Looks like Cole’s stopped cleaning house and is now going head-to-head with us in broad daylight.” “Erin, what’s our next move?”
Holding the project documents, Erin sighed and said, “We secure the project first, then look at making adjustments during the construction phase.”
For the Lamont family, this was a heated potato they could opt to drop, sticking to the original plan. But since they had instigated the challenge and after Estrella had outplayed him, Erin was even less inclined to back down. They would have to match the material quality and secure the project at the original price.
Hunter listened to his son and furrowed his brows, choosing to remain silent.
Back at the Lamont family estate, Paula was up in arms after hearing the news from her mom Janie. “Why should we be the ones to lose out on this project? I refuse to believe it. I’m going to see Estrella.”
After finding out where Estrella was, Paula made a beeline there.
At the same time, Estrella had just finished with a client and stepped out when Paula cornered her at the café entrance. “Estrella.”
Estrella, nonchalantly, paused in her tracks upon seeing Paula.
Paula declared, full of bravado, “Estrella, I thought your Dorvold Group had some fight in you, but my brother just made a move and snatched the project right from under you. Guess your dad’s prowess is
just so-so, and Dorvold is soft after all.” Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.
Estrella approached Paula and straightened her wind-tossed collar with a gentle touch. “If your dad and brother don’t find it too hot to handle, by all means, take it.
MOCK ON
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CIUM WEE
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“Estrella, you…” Paula started to flare up but caught herself, remembering her purpose for coming. Paula regained her haughty demeanor. “Estrella, the Digital Springs project is ours, and Jason will end up mine, sooner or later.”
Estrella smiled. “Well then, congratulations in advance.”
Continuing, Estrella leaned in close to Paula’s ear and whispered, “I just wonder, with all the effort you and your brother are putting into the company, how much of it you two will actually get to share.”
Paula’s face twisted in anger, and she turned to confront Estrella. “What do you mean by that?”
Estrella replied with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, “I mean exactly what I said.”
Paula wasn’t satisfied and blocked Estrella’s path, demanding clarity. “If you have something to say, Estrella, say it. Don’t beat around the bush.”
Estrella shrugged Paula off with a nonchalant smile and walked away towards her car in her high heels.
Still not content, Paula chased after her, but a single cold glance from Estrella made her halt in her tracks. Paula remembered the last time she had confronted Estrella, and the fear of being hit again made her back off.
Paula’s approach had no effect on Estrella, who did not lower the bidding price and directly had Cole submit the project proposal.
In the end, the Lamont family secured the contract without any surprises. They stuck to their original quote, although they had no choice but to commit to using higher-grade building materials.
Considering all the years of hustle and the potential billion-dollar dip into their savings, Hunter and Erin had mixed feelings about winning the contract. Their smiles were strained, but they had to feign joy. And with the timing being critical, they had to leverage. the excitement of landing the deal to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the o
company.
Invitations were sent out to everyone in the circle, and of course, the Dorvold family received theirs too.
When Autumn got her invitation, she immediately phoned Estrella. “Estrella, do you think your dad and I should attend?”
“Absolutely.” Estrella replied without hesitation. “Of course, we should go.”
Autumn confessed, “I just really don’t want to see Paula’s mom’s face, and Jesse’s stepmom is sure to be there too. I cannot stand either of them.”
Estrella soothed her with a chuckle, “Mom, just think of it as going to a show. There’s bound to be some surprises.”
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At that, Autumn grew suspici
plotting now?”
suspicious. “Estrella, what do you mean by that? What
are you
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