Novel Storm
Chapter 106
Estrella’spun around, a playful smirk dancing on her lips. “I’m here to shop with your mom, Jason. What’s it to you?”
Jason leaned in, his face inches from hers, but Estrella was quick to pinch his jaw. “Jason,” she chided, her tone teasing yet firm, “you’re getting shameless by the minute.”
Without another word, she bit down hard on his jawline, then pressed a button in the car, pushed his face away, and strutted out with an air of triumph.
As she stepped onto the sidewalk, Kristin approached, her face lit up with a welcoming
smile.
Jason, meanwhile, rolled down the window and rubbed his face, watching Estrella’s retreating figure. “We’ll settle the score for that bite later tonight,” he mumbled to himself.
Seeing this, Kristin looked at him with a serious expression and said, “Son, you better start raking in the dough to support Estrella and my future grandchild.”
Estrella glanced back to see Jason still nursing his cheek and let out a chuckle. “Goodbye, Jason. Don’t bother seeing me off.” NôvelDrama.Org owns © this.
After exchanging goodbyes, Kristin linked arms with Estrella, her face blooming like spring flowers. “Estrella, I saw some adorable cribs and baby clothes last time I was out. I’ll take you to check them out.”
Estrella couldn’t help but lose her smile. So that was why Kristin insisted on shopping
today.
“Kristin, it’s too early for that,” Estrella protested gently.
“Not at all,” Kristin insisted with a knowing smile. “Time flies, and babies come quickly. Once you start, there’s no stopping. I’ll be holding my grandchild in no time.”
As they entered the department store, Jason drove back to the office, his heart lighter than usual after the playful exchange.
At the office, Drew caught sight of Jason’s unusually bright demeanor, and the tell-tale bite mark on his face. He had worked with Jason for years and had never seen him this
chipper.
Inside the department store, Estrella could do nothing as Kristin, acting as if she was already a grandmother, filled their cart with baby essentials and clothes. Estrella felt overwhelmed and under a lot of pressure.
After Kristin finished her shopping spree, she left the address for Sandalwood Oasis, instructing the store to deliver everything there Then, she announced to Estrella that they were going to have a delicious meal. However, just as they stepped out, they ran into Korey, surrounded by a group of people. As the newly appointed leader, he was
08:52
conducting fieldwork in the area.
He had just finished his rounds for the day when he spotted Estrella and Kristin walking out of the maternity store. The sight of them leaving the store tugged at Korey’s heartstrings unexpectedly.
Approaching them with a warm smile, he greeted, “Ms. Kristin, Estrella.”
Korey had finished his inspections, so Blake dismissed the reporters and staff, allowing everyone to head home early for the weekend. Once they had said goodbye to Korey, they left him to catch up with his acquaintances.
After Korey finished his own engagements, he glanced at his watch and said to Kristin and Estrella, “It’s dinner time. Allow me to treat you both. Besides, I’ve been meaning to pay a visit, Ms. Kristin.”
Estrella was about to decline the polite invitation when Kristin, with a cheerful grin, accepted. “It must be fate that we ran into each other today, so let’s catch up, Korey.”
Kristin knew about Korey’s previous overtures to the Dorvold family-it was common knowledge among their circle. By accepting his invitation, Kristin hoped to show him how close Jason and Estrella were and that they were soon to be parents, dispelling any lingering intentions Korey might have.
Kristin was keenly aware of the fragility of Estrella and Jason’s relationship. “The more people lack something, the more they boast about it,” goes the saying, and Kristin was a prime example of this. And Kristin knew about the last time Korey asked Estrella to handle the issue of paying the wages and project funds to the migrant workers. She just didn’t bring it up.
With the invitation accepted, Estrella could only sigh and follow along.
Given Korey’s status, Blake chose a private restaurant with an elegant ambiance, frequented by those of Korey’s standing.
In the private dining room, as the waiter served alcohol, Korey considerately requeste “Please bring this lady some milk, thank you.”
Estrella had just exited the maternity store, so Korey’s gesture seemed particularly thoughtful. Hearing this, Estrella knew there must be a misunderstanding-he probably thought she was already expecting.
Whether Korey was mistaken didn’t matter so much as the awkwardness Estrella felt; Kristin was acting as if she were pregnant, and how would she explain if it turned out she
wasn’t?
Kristin noticed Korey’s misunderstanding but said nothing to correct it, simply commenting, “You’re as thoughtful and attentive as ever, Korey.”
When praising Korey, Kristin couldn’t help but think, if her son could have half of Korey’s
08:52
attentiveness and patience, she might have already had a grandchild by now.
Korey smiled, then turned to Estrella. “I saw you coming out of the maternity store. Are you-” He stopped himself, remembering her recent success in a high-profile legal case.
Before Estrella could clarify, Kristin jumped in, ‘Yes. Estrella and I have been at the maternity store all afternoon, picking out some things for the new baby.”
Kristin played along with Korey’s assumption, yet pointedly avoided correcting him.
Caught in the moment, Estrella met Korey’s gaze and said honestly, “We’re preparing for pregnancy.”
Kristin added, “She might well be expecting already, just without the telltale signs.”
Korey chuckled helplessly. It seemed that Kristin still regarded him as her son’s love rival.
As Kristin’s words trailed off, the waiter began to bring out the dishes. Korey, ever the gentleman, made it a point to serve Kristin first before offering any to Estrella. Yet Kristin’s gaze was fixed on the attentiveness he lavished upon Estrella.
“Estrella, it’s getting chilly out. Make sure to have some soup to warm up,” Korey suggested with a considerate tone.
“Try this dish, it’s really flavorful. I think you’ll like it,” he said, passing a portion onto her plate.
“And this one should suit your taste as well,” he added, selecting another choice morsel
for her.
Kristin felt deeply pained and resentful as she observed Korey’s thoughtfulness. Her own son was not as attentive and caring, and she resolved to give him a good scolding when she got back home, urging him to learn a thing or two from Korey.
Her eyes were glued to Korey, and when he served Estrella a piece of succulent Kristin couldn’t hold back any longer. In a voice tinged with sarcasm, she said, you’re so caring. It’s about time you found a wife to really put those skills to us
Korey responded with a smile, “Ms. Kristin, if you know someone suitable, feel f me up.”
Kristin, intrigued, asked, “What kind of person are you interested in, Korey?”
Setting down his utensils, Korey turned his gaze from Estrella back to Kristin, his sn unwavering. “Someone like Estrella would be perfect,” he said, his eyes lingering on Estrella for a moment longer before they met Kristin’s again.
rib,
08:52