billion book
Chapter 50
Estrella scoffed, “What, should I go around proclaiming you’re my hubby? Aren’t you afraid of losing your street cred?”
Her sarcasm elicited a chuckle from Jason, “Playing with kids who aren’t even out of high school, Estrella, you really got some nerve.”
Estrella flashed a carefree smile, flipping her hair with flair, “Can’t help it, I’m just irresistible to all ages.”
Jason snorted coldly, then slid his arm around her waist and yanked her into his embrace, “Estrella, you better behave yourself out there, or you’re going to face the music.”
Korey had been eyeing their marriage like a hawk, Erin was up to no good, and now some Alex was in the picture? Jason wondered how he’d never noticed before how Estrella seemed to be a magnet for men..
Estrella casually looped her arms around Jason’s shoulders and said nonchalantly, “If you leave me lonely at home all the time, I can’t make any promises. You play your game, and
I play mine. Fair’s fair, Mr. Jason.”
Before Estrella could finish, Jason’s lips silenced hers.
Estrella’s face darkened. Damn it, was he getting addicted to taking advantage of her? Either make it real or back off. What was this ambiguous game he was playing?
As Jason forcefully pried her lips apart, Estrella kept her composure, but once he was distracted, she bit him hard and pushed him away.
Jason gasped, touching his lips and said, “Estrella, what are you, a damn canine?”
Estrella pulled out her lipstick and mirror from her purse, touching up her makeup with an unfazed expression, “Mr. Jason, let’s keep the public displays of affection out of the public. eye, shall we? Don’t interfere with my man-hunting.”
After running his thumb over his lips, Jason’s eyes sharpened as he looked toward Estrella, but someone rounded the corner. “Mr. Jason.”
As someone greeted Jason, Estrella took the opportunity to leave, her heels clicking
away.
“Estrella.” Just as she returned to the ballroom, Serene approached her.
Estrella eyed her from head to toe, speaking coolly, “If you came with Jason, then keep an eye on him. Why the hell are you always on my case?” Estrella couldn’t stand Serene, who always seemed to seek her out as if they were close.
Serene offered an embarrassed explanation, “Estrella, are you upset? There’s nothing between me and Jason. He just couldn’t find a date today, so he asked me to come
last-minute.”
Couldn’t find a date? Estrella chuckled. What, was she invisible? Sometimes, Estrella couldn’t tell if Serene was genuinely naive or just playing dumb.
“Serene, don’t go looking for trouble, or you might find it with me,” Estrella warned.
“Estrella, you’re in the wrong here. Serene’s just doing her job. Aren’t you being a bit petty?” Janie’s voice cut in just as Estrella finished with Serene.
Looking up, Estrella saw Janie flanked by Paula, Melinda, and Damita, along with a few of her own friends.
Estrella gave a faint smile. It seemed that they had planned to embarrass her tonight.
Before Estrella could speak, Janie added, “Besides, if Serene can stay by Jason’s side, she must be doing something right, takin
care of him in every way.”
As Janie spoke, she turned to Serene, “Isn’t that right, Serene?”
The pointed question left Serene pale, and she quickly looked to Estrella, shaking her head, “Estrella, please don’t believe this. The secretary’s office has many assistants, and Jason treats everyone equally.”
Despite Serene’s claim of equality, her constant reference to Jason was telling. Other colleagues wouldn’t dare to do so.
Janie’s provocation and Serene’s explanations left Estrella feeling cornered.
Paula, sensing strength in numbers, arrogantly chimed in, “Estrella, my mother is only trying to teach you a lesson because you lack manners. Not to mention, you’ve been married to Jason for over two years and haven’t given him a child to carry on the Nelson family name. How do you live with yourself?”
“This is something any woman could easily accomplish. You’re not, by any chance, barren, are you?” Paula’s venomous words were aimed at Estrella’s most vulnerable spot.
After Paula’s remark, Serene watched Estrella with pitiful eyes, softly calling out, “Estrella,”
her voice laden with sympathy.
Estrella maintained her composed smile, appearing as an outsider watching their performance.
Damita joined in the provocation, “All day long, doing God knows what with Jesse. Didn’t your parents teach you how to act like a proper woman?”
Unperturbed, Estrella retorted, “At least my parents didn’t teach me to seduce someone else’s husband or to seize power while the wife was on her deathbed. As for how Jesse’s mom passed away, Damita- can you clarify that?”
Estrella’s barb left Damita as pale as a sheet, “Estrella, what nonsense are you spouting?”
12:49
Not long after Jesse’s mother passed away, Damita quickly rose to her position. There were quite a few r
rumors and gossip in the circle at that time.
Paula’s mother quickly took over the conversation, “Estrella, we’re your elders, and we mean well. How can you talk such nonsense?”
Estrella arched an eyebrow, a glimmer of mischief flashing in her gaze. “It’s for my own good, is it? Well then, I’m all ears. Please, Janie, do enlighten me on how to be the perfect Mrs. Nelson and how to keep Jason’s heart from wandering.”
Janie knew Estrella was up to no good, and she certainly had no intention of giving her genuine advice. After all, there was no love lost between them.
Sitting on her high horse and wielding the authority of her seniority, Janie put on airs and said, “Stop showing off and causing trouble outside, and focus on being a good wife and mother at home. The most important thing is to give Jason a child, or this-marriage will end in failure.”
Janie was well aware that Jason was the one against having kids, and, their biggest issue was their childlessness, yet she deliberately poked at this sore spot.
Estrella chuckled lightly, “From the sound of it, it seems all the issues are on me, not Jason. But now that you mention it, I do have something to learn from you. How does Mr, Hunter manage to leave his mark everywhere he goes? He’s quite the prolific man. That’s something I should definitely have Jason pick up on.”
Upon hearing Estrella’s words, Janie’s expression instantly changed. The expressions of the people nearby also changed, wearing a look of confusion.
Staring at Estrella, Janie asked with a puzzled tone, “Estrella, what on earth do you mean by that?”