All Novel XO
Chapter 8
With a swift movement, he caught Estrella’s hands just as she was about to push him away, pinning them against the headboard.
Estrella huffed, “Fine, the one who quits is a loser.”
In the end, during their tussle, Estrella discovered that Jason was intent on playing rough. Seizing the opportunity when Jason was off guard, she grabbed a decorative piece from the nightstand and, without a second thought, smashed it over his head.
“Estrella!” Jason bellowed her name and wiped his forehead, his palm coming away bloody.
Estrella, as if nothing had happened, tossed the ornament back onto the nightstand and dusted off her hands. “I warned you.”
She was clear in her message: If he wants to do it, fine. But forget about playing games Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
with her.
“Jason, look at you now! To think Estrella landed you in the hospital.”
In the hospital.
Thomas, who had come along to keep Jason company while he got bandaged up, couldn’t help but burst into laughter seeing his friend’s head wrapped in gauze. Estrella was badass, unlike them who had only ever been on the receiving end of a beating.
Jason threw him a cold look, and Thomas immediately made a zipping motion across hist lips, though his face was still struggling to hide a grin.
While driving Jason back, Thomas couldn’t stop chuckling every time he glanced at him.
“Is Estrella jealous?” Jason asked sideways.
“Isn’t it obvious?” Thomas replied. “Otherwise, she wouldn’t have landed you in the hospital. Jason, Estrella’s a keeper. You should treasure her.”
Jason adjusted his cufflinks and patted the dried blood on his sleeve. His face suc lost its earlier grimness, and a sly smile crept onto his lips.
“Jason, have you been knocked senseless by Estrella?” Thomas teased. “You can sti smile at a time like this? Think about how you’ll face people tomorrow, and how you’l explain this.”
Jason was unconcerned. What was there to explain? My wife hit me.
Back at the mansion, after Jason had left with an injury, Estrella didn’t wait for him to
return.
15:20
The next morning, she got ready and headed straight to Nelson International to discuss legal representation. In the reception room, the secretary politely informed her, “Ms. Estrella, Mr. Nelson is in a meeting. We won’t be discussing legal representation today.”
The secretary told Jason that Ms. Estrella from Justice Guardians LLP was here, and Jason’s response was clear: he wouldn’t see her. Estrella had the gall to come over to talk business after what she did to him? The nerve.
Shortly after, the head of legal affairs arrived and told Estrella, “Ms. Estrella, our group isn’t considering Justice Guardians LLP.”
This wasn’t an explanation; it was a flat-out rejection..
Despite visiting Nelson International several times later, Jason still refused to see her, and the legal department wouldn’t engage with her either.
A week went by, and as Estrella was leaving work, she noticed a sleek black Maybach parked not far from the law firm. Her steps slowed.
Drew, spotting Estrella, quickly got out and opened the back door. “Ms. Estrella.”
Estrella paused, and Drew said, “Mr. Jason has come to take you back to the estate for
dinner.”
Estrella glanced at Jason sitting in the back seat and said indifferently, “I’m busy.” She had tried to see him multiple times, and he hadn’t even shown his face. Now he wanted her to play house? She wasn’t going to play along.
In the back seat, Jason remained seated, his expression unreadable. Jason remarked, “It seems you really don’t want to be a mother.”
That comment struck a nerve. Estrella crossed her arms and looked down at him. “Did you ever give me a chance?”
Jason flicked an invisible speck of dust off his sleeve. “Not being able to s a failure on your part.”
sleep with me is
Then, he looked up, “Estrella, from now on, I’ll come back once a month. Whether you tak advantage of that is up to you.”
Once a month? What if the timing was off? That would be a wasted trip. And Jason wasn known for being cooperative or straightforward.
Thinking this over, Estrella countered, “Once a week, non-negotiable.”
Jason appraised her for a moment, his lips curving into a smile. “Get in.”
Landon had been on his case lately, and his grand-parents had put on the pressure. Whether or not they had a child wasn’t the issue, but he had to show the right attitude.
and she gracefully slid into the
With Jason’s agreement, Estrella’s smile turned sedu
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seat beside him.
Drew closed the door with a relieved sigh and got into the driver’s seat. Negotiating even for going home to sleep? This couple’s dynamic was truly something else.
No sooner had Jason and Estrella entered the estate than Jason’s grandmother, Amber, bustled out. “Oh my! My little Estrella’s back! Let granny have a look, any sign of a baby bump?”
Leaning over, Amber pressed her ear against Estrella’s stomach to listen.
Estrella felt awkward. “Granny, not yet.”
Amber’s cheer faded as she stood up. “Estrella, you and Jason have been married for two years, why no news? Have you gone to the doctor? Is the issue with you or Jason?”
“I’ve been checked, and I’m all clear,” Estrella responded. She was more than willing, but unfortunately, she couldn’t reproduce on her own; otherwise, she’d have given birth to a whole brood by now..
Hearing this, Amber turned her gaze to Jason. Jason, if that’s the case, it seems the problem is with you. You’re tall and strong, how can you not father a child? All that nurturing for nothing.”
“Granny,” Jason replied, “Estrella and I are still young. We’re not planning on it just yet.”
Two years married and no plans? Who was he trying to fool? Amber was just about to give Jason a piece of her mind when Landon came down from upstairs, interrupting her with a calm, “Mom, Estrella and Jason can handle their own affairs. There’s no need for you to meddle.”
After a brief pause, he turned to Jason and said, “Jason, come with me. We need to talk.”
With Jason taken aside, Estrella stayed in the living room, making small talk with the grandparents and watching TV.
When it was time for dinner, after they’d finished discussing whatever it was, Land right into business, “Estrella, I heard you’ve been negotiating the legal representat the company?”
Estrella lifted her gaze, “Yes.”
Landon was straightforward, “You’ll go to the office and sign the contract tomorrow
When Estrella graduated, Landon wanted her to join Nelson International and groom properly, but Estrella had other plans..
Estrella’s spirits lifted, “Thank you.”
Over the years, Landon had been impeccable in his treatment of her, always considerate and supportive. If only Landon wasn’t so much older than her, and Kristin hadn’t been so
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ve
kind to her, Estrella might have even entertained the thought of marrying Landon instead. Certainly, it would have been a much better choice than ending up with Jason.
Meanwhile, Amber was busy fussing over Jason at the table, urging him, “Jason, eat up. You need to build up your strength.”
Estrella glanced over and couldn’t help but notice that Amber was piling Jason’s plate with
oysters.