billion book
Chapter 52
s up?”
The phone rang and she answered with a casual, “What’s
Jason’s voice floated through from the other end. “Where are you?”
Estrella replied with a yawn, “Back home, hit the sack already.”
No sooner had she finished than she hung up the call with an abrupt click. It was peculiar; in the past few months, Jason had been calling her more frequently than ever. He used to ignore her calls altogether.
After disconnecting, Autumn eyed her curiously. “Estrella, who was that?”
“Jason.”
“And what was with that attitude?” Autumn chided. “Can’t you be a bit nicer to Jason? You’re just pushing him away acting like that.”
Jason hadn’t accompanied Estrella to the evening’s soiree, much to Autumn’s dismay. Now that he had finally reached out, she thought Estrella should be more sweet and delicate in persuading him to come back.
Estrella rubbed her temples, irritated. “Lucky for you to marry my dad. If it were any other man, you’d be crying your eyes out.”
“Young lady, watch your tone,” Autumn scolded.
Jesse, hands casually tucked in the suit pockets, chuckled. “Estrella’s not in the wrong. Can’t coddle a man too much; give him an inch and he’ll take a mile.”
Jesse then turned to Cole, who hadn’t said a word, and quipped, “Right?”
“Hmm,” Cole hummed noncommittally, before addressing Estrella. “I don’t care about your little power struggles with Jason, but try to avoid a divorce, will you? Think about starting a family soon.”
“Got it,” Estrella responded distractedly, already opening her car door.
After a quick farewell to her parents and Jesse, she revved the engine and drove off. Just as she left the hotel parking lot, her phone buzzed again. Bryce was calling.
“When are you coming back?” he inquired.
Estrella scoffed, “Great, first Jason’s keeping tabs on me, now you? The event just ended.”
“Come over tonight, and keep me company.”
That sounded suspiciously like a come-on to Estrella. She didn’t respond immediately, prompting Bryce to add, “I haven’t seen another living soul in five days, and I haven’t
spoken to anyone. Don’t you feel a bit sorry for me soul in five days, a
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Estrella retorted. “Bryce, maybe you should go back to fundraising for some community project or something. Cooped up at home all day, what’s the point?”
“No way, I’d rather die here than go back there, he retorted. “Hurry up and come over. It’s lonely by myself. I’ll order us some pizza.”
Estrella couldn’t help but feel like Bryce was treating her like a toddler. But considering Jason hadn’t been home in over a fortnight and was out with Serene at the Lamont family bash, she wasn’t keen on returning to an empty house. So, she told Bryce to wait and hung up.
Meanwhile, at the Lamont residence.
The family had just stepped inside when Janie was on the verge of an outburst. However, it was Hunter who lost his cool first, berating her and Paula, “Can’t you two ever measure your actions? Do you not understand the importance of today’s event? I specifically asked you not to let Estrella cause a scene, and instead, you two mess it up.”.
Janie turned pale with rage, confronting Hunter. “How could you blame me and Paula? Isn’t this all thanks to your own fine work? You sneak around with that bitch Ruby and even fathered twins. How can you face me, Paula and Erin?”
At the mention of his affair, Hunter’s guilt showed, but his anger remained. Janie, seizing on his silence, pressed, “You were all high and mighty earlier. Why so quiet now? Explain your little tryst with Ruby! I’m making it clear, Hunter, I want a divorce. Pack your bags and get out.”
No matter how fiercely Janie threatened, Hunter was unmoved. He held the reins to the family wealth and the company shares. Without his consent, nothing would change.
“Dad, you’re out of line,” Paula erupted. “How could you betray Mom like that? How could you have children with another woman? And why are you blaming us instead of yourself?”
Hunter’s expression softened as he looked at Paula and Erin. Ignoring Janie was one thing, but he had to consider his kids, especially Erin.
After a tense silence, Hunter said with a heavy sigh, “Ruby is all alone in Ravenwood, and she needs someone. I just couldn’t stand by and watch her struggle in life. Janie, Ruby has always been gentle and unambitious. Why can’t you just let it be? As for the divorce, it’s not happening. You’re the only wife for me. I hope you can be more forgiving and accept Ruby.”
At Hunter’s words, Janie’s tears fell like rain. She laughed bitterly, “Me, giving her a hard time? When have I ever done that? Have I ever neglected her? I’ve been too good to her, and that’s why you’re walking all over me. You want me to be more forgiving, and to accept her? How, Hunter? How can I possibly do that?”
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Estrella retorted. “Bryce, maybe you should go back to fundraising for some community project or something. Cooped up at home all day, what’s the point?”
“No way, I’d rather die here than go back there, he retorted. “Hurry up and come over. It’s lonely by myself. I’ll order us some pizza.”
Estrella couldn’t help but feel like Bryce was treating her like a toddler. But considering Jason hadn’t been home in over a fortnight and was out with Serene at the Lamont family bash, she wasn’t keen on returning to an empty house. So, she told Bryce to wait and hung up.
Meanwhile, at the Lamont residence.
The family had just stepped inside when Janie was on the verge of an outburst. However, it was Hunter who lost his cool first, berating her and Paula, “Can’t you two ever measure your actions? Do you not understand the importance of today’s event? I specifically asked you not to let Estrella cause a scene, and instead, you two mess it up.”.
Janie turned pale with rage, confronting Hunter “How could you blame me and Paula? Isn’t this all thanks to your own fine work? You sneak around with that bitch Ruby and even fathered twins. How can you face me, Paula and Erin?”
At the mention of
S affair, Hunter’s guilt showed, but his anger remained. Janie, seizing on his silence, pressed, “You were all high and mighty earlier. Why so quiet now? Explain your little tryst with Ruby! I’m making it clear, Hunter, I want a divorce. Pack your bags and get out.”
No matter how fiercely Janie threatened, Hunter was unmoved. He held the reins to the family wealth and the company shares. Without his consent, nothing would change.
“Dad, you’re out of line,” Paula erupted. “How could you betray Mom like that? How could you have children with another woman? And why are you blaming us instead of yourself?”
Hunter’s expression softened as he looked at Paula and Erin. Ignoring Janie was one thing, but he had to consider his kids, especially Erin.
After a tense silence, Hunter said with a heavy sigh, “Ruby is all alone in Ravenwood, and she needs someone. I just couldn’t stand by and watch her struggle in life. Janie, Ruby has always been gentle and unambitious. Why can’t you just let it be? As for the divorce, it’s not happening. You’re the only wife for me. I hope you can be more forgiving and accept Ruby.”
At Hunter’s words, Janie’s tears fell like rain. She laughed bitterly, “Me, giving her a hard time? When have I ever done that? Have I ever neglected her? I’ve been too good to her, and that’s why you’re walking all over me. You want me to be more forgiving, and to accept her? How, Hunter? How can I possibly do that?”
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Paula was furious but felt helpless against her father. She wanted him to send th woman and her cursed twins away, but judging by his stance, it was unlikely
that
Paula turned to Erin and pleaded, “Erin, with everything that’s happening, you’ve got to say something. Don’t just stand there all silent.”
Paula’s call to action and Janie’s tearful eyes now fixated on Erin. “Erin, your father has gone too far. You have to speak up for me. You have to be on my side.”
Janie knew all too well that arguing with Hunter was futile. The only one who could truly stand up to him was his son.
Erin stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Hunter as he spoke with a tone that cut to the heart of the matter, “Dad, I’ve got Ruby and her twin boys covered. Could you moment to sign these two share transfer agreements?”
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Hunter’s complexion shifted dramatically at Erin’s request. He glanced at the share transfer agreement Erin placed on the table and then looked at Erin, asking, “Erin, what exactly are you driving at?”
With a cool detachment, Erin replied, “Dad, the company and the Lamont family’s future are inevitably going to be mine and Paula’s. I trust that’s what you, mom, and grandpa have in mind too. Since it’s bound to happen, why not just sign the agreements now?”
Seeing this, Paula quickly scooped up the two agreements to scrutinize them. Erin had divided their father’s shares evenly between herself and her brother. Beneath her own share transfer, there was an additional agreement.