Novel Palace
Chapter 15
Kristin didn’t miss a beat. “That Serene’s all over Jason like white on rice, just trying to squeeze a buck out of him. She wants cash, so let’s just cut her a check and be done with it. So, Estrella, you take this check to her, tell her to pack up her mama and little brother, and hit the road out of Ravenwood. Otherwise, she can kiss any hopes of a payday from Jason goodbye.”
Looking at the twenty million dollar check from Kristin, Estrella was amused. Kristin was usually sharp as a tack, but now? She seemed to have lost her marbles.
“If I go to Serene with this, it’s like throwing myself into the lion’s den. She won’t take the money. She won’t leave Ravenwood.”
If she really took this check to Serene, it would be tantamount to digging her own grave fast-tracking her divorce from Jason. And she hadn’t even had babies yet.
But Kristin was adamant. “Listen Estrella, trust me on this. It’s foolproof. Give the check to Serene. I’ll follow up with her. She’ll crack under the pressure. Where else is she going to get twenty million? How else will she support her mom and brother?”
“This is…”
Before Estrella could finish, Kristin cut her off. ‘Estrella, you’re too honest for your own good. That Serene’s got more tricks up her sleeve than a magician. You won’t beat her at her own game.”
Seeing Kristin all worked up, Estrella decided not to argue any further. It wasn’t about outplaying Serene; it was that Jason’s heart wasn’t with her. The more she flailed, the worse it got. In this game, the referee was biased.
“Estrella.”
Kristin called out again, snapping Estrella back to reality. Estrella took the check and said. “Alright, I’ll take care of it.”
Kristin was so persistent, Estrella figured she’d better play along. Otherwise, if Kristin took matters into her own hands, things would only get uglier. Making a scene would tarnish both her reputation and that of the Nelsons.
Having accepted Kristin’s check, Estrella arranged to meet with Serene the next day.
In the café, she didn’t beat around the bush with Serene, just told her to take the money and get her family out of here.
Serene just sat there, ashen-faced, wordless.
By the time lunch rolled
Drew’s call came through. “Ms. Estrella, Mr. Jason would
like you to stop by the office this afternoon.”
15:21
Hanging up, Estrella couldn’t help but chuckle wryly. She had a hunch abou
wanted to see her.
why Jason
Sure enough, half an hour later, when she swung open the door to Jason’s office, there was Serene, looking all pitiful beside his chair.
Estrella strolled in, cool as a cucumber, to find Jason slamming the morning’s check down in front of her. “You gave her this?”
As Jason tossed the check, Serene quickly jumped in with a tearful explanation. “Estrella, there’s nothing between Jason and me. You’ve got it all wrong.”
Serene played the victim, but Estrella couldn’t be bothered with her theatrics. She casually took a seat across from Jason, crossed her legs, and quipped, “What’s the matter? Your sweetheart doesn’t fancy the cash?”
Then Estrella added with a smirk, “How about you write me a check for twenty mil? I’ll have someone draft up the divorce papers and let you two lovebirds be.”
Estrella’s indifference made Jason’s expression darkened.
Serene, taken aback, whispered to Estrella, “It’s only twenty million.”
As a rich lady from the Dorvold family, Estrella surely wouldn’t consider divorce over twenty million.
It was then that Estrella looked up at Serene and said with a faint smile, “Your love with him is stronger than gold. My worth to him is just this much.”
There was that time at the old house, when Jason preferred the restroom over touching her, and how he’d stood her up to be with Serene. And now, for Serene’s sake, he was confronting her, blaming her.
There were too many of these moments, and even the most patient soul would grow weary and think of giving up.
Estrella was ready for a showdown when she handed over that check, ready for Jason to make a scene.
Her nonchalant attitude seemed to punch Jason in the gut. After a long stare, he turned to Serene. “You can go now.”
As Jason dismissed her, Serene pleaded, “Jason, Estrella didn’t mean it. It’s just a misunderstanding. Don’t fight with her, just explain and it’ll be fine.” After some parting words to Estrella, Serene left the office.
In the corridor, Serene couldn’t help but glance back. Serene never admitted it, but she envied Estrella. Only Estrella could stir Jason’s emotions, and make him care. Even if it was just anger.
Back in the office, Estrella pocketed the check Jason had slammed down.
15:21
He looked up. “Estrella, do you really want out?”
Estrella lifted her gaze, exhaling softly, “Jason, I’ve tried so hard for you.” Her words left the decision up to him. She wouldn’t cling on; she wouldn’t drag it out.
If Jason truly wanted a divorce, she wouldn’t beg, even if it meant never becoming a mother.
Even if she once cared about him deeply.
Dignity was worth something, after all. You can grovel for a while, but you can’t do it for a lifetime.
Estrella’s tone was detached, her words light, and suddenly, Jason didn’t know how to respond. “I’ve got a meeting soon. I’ll have Drew take you home,” he said eventually.
Estrella rose gracefully from her chair with a casual air, “I can make my way back alone.” Drew was stubborn as a mule. Since Jason had tasked him with escorting Estrella home, he was determined to do just that.
Estrella, amused and exasperated by his insistence, tossed him her car keys, “Fine, you drive my car then. You can hail a cab back later.”
Catching the keys tossed by Estrella, Drew opened the door and slid into the driver’s seat.
Moments later, the engine hummed to life, and Drew, with both hands firmly on the wheel, glanced at Estrella and said, “Ms. Estrella, I think you’ve got the wrong idea about Mr. Jason and Ms. Serene. Something came up with Ms. Serene’s family recently, and she’s been having a tough time, so…”
Before Drew could finish, Estrella cut him off, “Even your boss isn’t worried about my misunderstanding, why are you fretting over it?”
“He’s just a bit embarrassed.” Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.
“Embarrassed?” Estrella laughed. “Well, he can keep on feeling that way.”
“Ms. Estrella, it’s really not what you think.”
“Drew, the more you explain, the worse it sounds. At first, I thought she was his mistress, and that’s why he was so nice to her. But now you’re telling me they’re just colleagues and friends. That means he treats me, his wife, worse than a mere colleague or friend. Drew, you’re rubbing salt in the wound.”
With a few playful remarks, Estrella left Drew speechless.
Glancing at Estrella again, he noticed that despite her nonchalance, her eyes betrayed a sense of self- mockery. Drew then said, “Ms. Estrella, he looks after Serené because three years ago…”