Chapter 85

Chapter 85 Serene quickly got up from the ground, but she was too anxious and couldn’t stand steady, slipping again.

Jason, witnessing her distress, ambled over and extended a hand to help her up. As he passed Estrella, his gaze was icy, and the frost in his eyes was unmistakable.

Estrella couldn’t help but chuckle silently, and her smile was laced with a tinge of irony.

–

Once upright, Serene, flustered, began to ramble, “Jason, this this had nothing to do with Estrella. I just lost my footing, and that’s all.” Her explanation, though well-intentioned, somehow made it seem as if Estrella had pushed her on purpose.

Estrella, unfazed, sauntered over and gently cupped Serene’s chin, taking in her pitiful and delicate appearance that would move any man’s heart.

Before Jason could intervene, Estrella released Serene and locked eyes with him. Her voice was tinged with warning, “Jason, keep your little bird tucked away safely. Twenty-four-hour surveillance, or she might just fly the coop.”

Jason felt a sinking feeling. His heart was heavy as he finally spoke, “Estrella, some things never change with you.”

With a soft laugh, Estrella retorted, “Change isn’t in my nature. You can either deal with it or walk away.”

Then she turned on her heel and left. Serene, quick to defend her, said, “Jason, she’s just sparring with you verbally. Don’t take it to heart. She didn’t say a word to me. I thought she was upset about the necklace, so I tried to explain.”

Serene’s way with words was nothing short of cunning.

As Estrella passed by Drew, he offered a quiet “Ms. Estrella.” His eyes held a glimmer of sympathy, which didn’t escape Estrella’s notice. Inwardly, she mused that one could never rouse someone pretending to sleep.

Exiting the restroom, Estrella spotted Korey. His gaze seemed laden with pity as he watched her from a distance. He was surrounded by the brass of Ravenwood. Normally, Estrella wouldn’t approach him, and she certainly wouldn’t now. She offered him a small smile in acknowledgment and moved on.

As she walked away, Drew suggested to Jason. “Sir, perhaps Ms. Estrella didn’t do it intentionally.”

Serene chimed in supportively, “Jason, I really don’t think Estrella meant it.”

Jason remained silent, His thoughts drifted back to an incident three years prior, to Holly.

1/3 11:33 E After dinner, Estrella wandered alone along the beach. Her mind alternated between Ryan’s case and her tangled feelings for Jason. She had hoped that after all these years, if they both tried a little harder and set aside the past grievances, they could mend fences. It seemed she was being overly sentimental.

“Estrella.” Lost in her thoughts, she was startled by a voice from behind.

She turned to see Korey approaching, and greeted him with a faint smile, “You’re here for the conference too?”

Korey closed the distance. “New position. Time to mingle with all the departments and businesses.”

They continued down the beach. The conversation flowed as easily as the gentle sea breeze.

Korey remarked, glancing at Estrella. “You’ve been avoiding me since I got back.”

“It’s not avoidance, just steering clear of any potential drama,” she replied, and then laughed at herself. “It’s quite ridiculous, really. Jason’s out there enjoying himself, but here I am, concerned about avoiding impropriety.”

They found a couple of beach chairs. Korey invited her to sit. Estrella adjusted her shawl and took a seat.

Korey then revealed something from the past, I proposed to the Dorvold family because I saw you and Jason fighting. He hit you, so I wanted to support you, to show him you weren’t solely his.”

Estrella looked at him in astonishment, having no idea that Korey had witnessed her fight with Jason.

“I genuinely care for you, Estrella,” he continued, “much like I do for Holly or Jesse. I would’ve done the same for her. I just hope you and Jason can find happiness.”

Holly was Korey’s sister.

Estrella couldn’t help but laugh at the revelation. It turned out she had overthought their relationship for years. After a moment, she said with gratitude, “Thank you, Korey.”

They sat in silence for a while until Korey had to excuse himself for a call.

Back at the resort, Estrella stepped out of the elevator, with the shawl wrapped warmly around her, to find Jason waiting at her door, with a phone to his ear. He hung up as she approached. His gaze was fixed on her.

Estrella walked up to him with her hands pressing her shawl. “Looking for me? Aren’t you afraid of being discovered?” Her words made their legitimate marriage sound like an illicit affair.

Ignoring her quip, Jason, with his hands buried in his pockets, asked, “Where have you 273 77-93 been?”

secre Estrella shrugged with a devil-may-care attitude. “Meeting my lover.”

to every Jason’s face darkened considerably. He found himself needing a mental rescue e time they exchanged words. Yet, he didn’t let his anger show towards Estrella, instead stepping closer to probe, “You’ve been seeing Korey?”

Pulling her shawl tighter, Estrella nonchalantly confirmed, “Yep, just a quick catch-up.”

His patience snapped. Jason grasped her throat and yanked her towards him with a force that brooked no argument. “For for heaven’s sake, I’m not six feet under yet, but here you are, gallivanting with someone else right under my nose.”

Estrella looked up at him. Her eyes were alight with amusement. “Well, I’m very much alive too, and it’s not like you’ve been a saint. Let’s not play the blame game, shall we?”

She pried Jason’s hand away, her voice icy, “Next time, keep the conversation verbal, no need for the roughhousing.”

Gritting his teeth in frustration, Jason recalled who was really fond of getting physical – who had sent him to the hospital, and who had slapped him across the face?

“Mr. Jason,” came a voice, breaking the tension, as a neighbor from the adjoining suite emerged.

Seizing the moment, Jason fished out a keycard, flung open Estrella’s door, and, grabbing her arm, tossed her inside.

Estrella fumed at Jason’s audacity – his having her keycard was beyond irritating. Regaining her balance, she hurled her fallen shawl at him. Her voice was a low growl, “Who gave you permission to barge into my room?”

Jason retorted, “What’s the big deal about entering your room? It’s not like you haven’t crashed in my bed plenty of times.”

Her anger dissolved into incredulous laughter. Estrella fired back “So what’s your plan?

To take over my bed tonight?”

11:33