Novel Storm
Chapter 97
Watching Erin and Paula saunter toward them, Bryce’s eyes rolled so far back he could probably see his brain. Jesse, hands casually tucked into her jeans pockets, positioned herself protectively in front of Estrella.
“What a coincidence, Erin. You decided to grace us with your presence at the meeting?” Bryce drawled with a smirk.
Erin returned a polite smile. “Bryce, you seem to have a lot of free time on your hands.” His gaze briefly flitted to Estrella and Jesse before he added, “Aren’t you worried that if you keep loafing around, you might end up not being able to put food on the table?”
His words were a clear jab, suggesting Bryce held no real power at Nelson International.
“Relax, even if I hit rock bottom, I’ve got my Ella to take care of me. I don’t have to scheme against my own flesh and blood like you do, Erin.”
The moment Bryce finished, Erin’s usually mild expression darkened momentarily but swiftly regained its composure. Approaching Bryce, Erin straightened Bryce’s collar with a smile and said, “Bryce, I hope you can always be this carefree.”
“Don’t worry, Erin. I plan on it,” Bryce replied confidently.
Seeing her brother subtly insulted, Paula glared at Bryce and snapped, “You’re not even in the same league as Jason. One day, you’ll get what’s coming to you.”
“I’ll be buried in the Lamont family plot, so it’s none of your concern,” Bryce retorted,
unfazed.
Erin and Bryce exchanged barbs, but Erin’s attention soon turned to Estrella. “Estrella, you’ve got quite the nerve.”
He didn’t spell it out, but Estrella knew he was referring to the mess with Rachel, assuming it was her doing. Without admitting anything, Estrella replied with a smile, “We’re both quite adept at playing the game.”
She reminded him of his own ruthlessness, especially how he had treated Ruby, despite their past connections.
Erin’s eyes darkened, not expecting his dealings with Ruby to come to light. But then again, Estrella was a lawyer.
Facing Erin’s stare, Estrella quipped, “Aren’t you afraid Ruby might turn the tables one day with such a vicious approach?”
Adjusting his glasses, Erin coolly responded, “If you’re not worried, Estrella, why should I be?”
Since the Digital Springs debacle, the Lamont family’s stocks had plummeted, but Erin had
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bounced back, snatching two projects right from under Dorvold Group’s nose. When Estrella was about to retaliate, Cole held her back, advising against constant
confrontation for everyone’s sake.
Paula, seething, dismissed Estrella’s input, “Why waste words on her? She’s not worth our time.” Then, addressing Estrella directly, Paula warned, “Don’t get too cocky. Jason will never fall for someone like you. You can’t even give him a child. Just wait until I take him. from you, and you’ll be kicked to the curb.”
Estrella and Jason had been married for over two years, and although the Nelson family elders protected her, they wouldn’t favor a Mrs. Nelson who couldn’t bear children forever. If in a few months, by their third anniversary, Estrella remained childless, her position. would indeed be precarious.
Estrella laughed it off, “Sure, I’ll be waiting for you to try.”
Bryce chuckled at the thought of Paula taking Jason off their hands. If she wanted to,
with him. Ella certainly wouldn’t miss that drama.
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After Erin’s phone rang and he took the call, he and Paula excused themselves and left. Bryce, with
his hands still in his pockets, watched the siblings walk away and muttered, “Classy. She thinks she can just take Jason? I’d gift wrap him for her.”
“I’ll chip in for the wrapping paper, Jesse quipped.
let
Over the next two days, Jason was tied up in meetings, while Estrella was busy with her director or buried in case files. Bryce and Jesse headed back downtown ahead of her.
Estrella returned to the city on Monday afternoon with her colleagues. “Estrella, you’re back.” Kristin greeted her warmly as soon as Estrella stepped through the door.
A maid took Estrella’s luggage, and she hung her coat on the rack. “Hey, what brings you here?”
“Just checking in on you,” Kristin replied. “Estrella, come see if you like this gift.”
“What’s the big mystery this time?” Estrella teased as Kristin led her to the living room.
Upon seeing the stunning sapphire jewelry set on the table, Estrella’s smile faded slightly.
“Do
you
like this sapphire set, Estrella? I went through quite a bit of trouble to get it,” Kristin said, likely aware of the pink diamond necklace Jason had gifted to Serene and thus offering this set as an apology on his behalf.
Estrella, understanding the gesture, turned to Kristin. “I love it, truly.”
Bryce had spilled the beans about the necklace. They might not be able to control Jason, so they’d let his mother handle it.
When Kristin insisted, Estrella gratefully accepted, “Well, if you insist, I won’t refuse.”
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No sooner had Estrella received the gift than Jason arrived home.
Kristin’s face soured instantly when she saw him walk through remember your way home? Remember you have a family?”
e door. “Oh, so you
Jason was busy slipping off his shoes. “What’s got into you? Did someone spike your cereal with gunpowder?”
“I wish it was just gunpowder. Feels more like I’ve swallowed a whole nuke,” Kristin shot
back.
Estrella, sensing the brewing storm and preferring to steer clear, clutched her jewelry and headed upstairs.
Once Estrella was out of sight, Kristin closed in on Jason and pinched his ear. “You little brat, what’s wrong with you? You gave Serene such extravagant gifts, and paraded her in front of Estrella-how do you think that makes her feel?”
Since that call from Bryce, Kristin had barely caught a wink of sleep in two days.
Jason wriggled free from her grasp. “She wouldn’t give a second glance to my stuff.”
Kristin’s hand swung
out, landing several slaps across his face. “Is it really her who’s not interested, or is it just that you’re heartless? Do you have any idea how much Estrella has put up with these past two years?”
No wedding, no ring-heck, they hadn’t even taken their wedding photos. If it were Kristin, she’d have turned the Nelson family household upside down by now.
Before Jason could get a word in, Kristin went on, “Get rid of Serene immediately, or ! swear I’ll take matters into my own hands.”
Jason’s expression darkened. “Mom, it is none of your business. Go get some rest.”
With that, he ushered Kristin out the door.
As the car started up, Kristin took one last look at the villa, her mind still troubled by Jason’s antics. She couldn’t just sit by and watch.
At the villa entrance, Jason watched as Kristin finally disappeared from view. Hands in his pockets, he breathed a sigh of relief. A moment later, he pushed open the bedroom door to find Estrella, freshly changed.