billion book
Chapter 48
Autumn asked Estrella with suspicion. She had known since childhood that Estrella was no angel.
Estrella, with a hint of mischief, retorted, “What bad thing could I possibly be up to? I’ve just been through the wringer, almost got taken advantage of, you know.”
Autumn’s concern deepened at Estrella’s words “Estrella, what happened? Tell me With a dismissive chuckle, Estrella replied, “Mom, it’s alright. Just come with Dad on Saturday, okay? Otherwise, people might start calling you petty.”
Autumn sighed, resigned. “Fine, I’ll come with your father.”
So when Saturday night rolled around, Autumn and Cole headed off to the gala together.
Ever since Estrella rejected Jason a few days ago, he hadn’t returned to Sandalwood Oasis. He didn’t invite her when the Lamont family extended an invitation, so Estrella attended the event with Jesse.
Estrella was dressed to kill in a little black dress, while Jesse sported a crisp suit, her hair short and slick. Together, they were a force to be reckoned with, drawing stares from all the guests.
“Estrella, you’ve got some nerve showing up.” Paula sneered as the duo entered the party. “If I were you, I’d have buried myself in a hole by now.”
Estrella, clutching her clutch bag and smirking, fired back, “Seems the Lamonts are happy making a loss, must be nice to have such deep pockets.”
Paula, bristling, managed to keep her cool. “You’re just jealous, Estrella. And my brother is too smart to make a bad deal.”
Estrella’s eyes twinkled with a knowing light. “Well, I’ve got my eyes on the project. It won’t be easy for the Lamonts to avoid a loss.”
Paula shot back, “As if we need you watching over us. You should see how much our stock has soared since we landed that project. The Lamonts were busy celebrating their soaring stock prices, which brought them many other benefits.
“Some things aren’t about immediate profits,” Estrella said cryptically, a smile playing on her lips. “I hope the Lamont family’s stock continues to rise.”
Verbally gaining the upper hand, Paula finally felt happy.
When Paula’s gaze fell on Jesse next to her, she noticed Jesse glaring at her coldly. Paula thought of Estrella hitting her. Scared, she quickly slipped away. Paula’s mother had warned her to keep her temper in check tonight, and not to embarrass the family.
As Paula bolted, Jesse snickered, her hands buried in her pockets, thinking, “What a
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coward!”
No sooner had Paula left than Melinda and Damita approached. Seeing Jesse dressed in a suit, Damita scolded, “Jesse, where’s your sense of decorum? If you have no shame, at least think of your father’s reputation.”
Jesse’s gaze darkened. “What I wear is none of your business.”
Damita was livid, but Melinda calmed her down, suggesting it was too late to argue about Jesse’s attire.
Damita turned to Estrella and threatened, “Someone will put you in your place eventually.” Estrella was unfazed. “Not in your lifetime,” she replied coolly.
Damita was furious, vowing to find evidence against Estrella for the previous incident.
Estrella admitted to orchestrating the attack on them. “Go ahead and take it to court,” she challenged.
Seeing Melinda and Damita leave in anger, Estrella’s face became increasingly serious. Wasn’t it Damita who planned everything that’s happened to Jesse today? Even when Jesse was just a child, Damita never thought of letting her go, and for this kind of evil person, Estrella has no sympathy at all.
“You talk so sharply, aren’t you afraid of them trying to sabotage you?” Just as Melinda and Damita left, Erin’s voice came from behind slowly.
Estrella calmly turned around to see Erin still as gentle and refined as ever. She smiled lightly and said, “Why would I fear them sabotaging me from behind. Haven’t your two families already joined forces and declared war on me?”
Erin leaned in close, a whisper brushing against Estrella’s ear, “Estrella, are you scared? How about fulfilling the promise you made last time?”
Estrella raised an eyebrow, “Did Jason’s lesson last time not stick?”
“Jason?” Erin stood up straight, his hands slipping casually into his pockets. “Didn’t you two come together today? What, another lovers quarrel?”
Erin’s voice was magnetic, a soothing melody to the ears, but the words that flowed from him weren’t always as charming.
“Yeah, well,” Estrella sighed. “Why don’t you head over to Sandalwood Oasis, and I’ll fulfill that promise for you.”
Erin’s smile slowly faded as he locked eyes with Estrella, “What if I want it now?” They were in a hotel, after all, where conveniences for “handling things” were plentiful.
Estrella reached out, grabbing Erin’s tie and pulling him closer with a tug, “Then go ahead, try to carry me away right here, in front of everyone. I’d like to see just how capable you
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really are.”
Their gazes locked fiercely, each reflecting the other’s face. Estrella bet a hundred to one that Erin didn’t have the guts.
The smile on Erin’s face widened. Estrella really knew how to set a trap.
Suddenly, a buzz swept through the crowd, “Mr Jason, there’s Mr. Jason, looking sharp as ever!”
“How can Jason be so effortlessly handsome they murmured.