Chapter 126

When Jason arrived, Bryce and the others toned down their chatter, abandoning their private conversations for some inconsequential gossip.

After dinner, Bryce walked home with Jesse, while Estrella naturally returned to Sandalwood Oasis with Jason. They exchanged sparse, trivial comments in the car, but the atmosphere was relatively harmonious.

Upon arriving, Estrella had somehow already fallen asleep without Jason noticing. He gazed at her for a moment before deciding to pick her up and carry her inside. Jason realized she hadn’t gained much weight. Her 5’7″ frame was still feather-light.

“Back already?” Marie whispered with a soft chuckle as she greeted Jason, who was carrying Estrella in.

“Mm,” Jason replied curtly, taking Estrella upstairs and gently laying her on the bed.

Kneeling by the bed, Jason was haunted by the memory of their midnight talk when Estrella mentioned how his push had caused her internal bruising. His heart clenched uncomfortably. He also thought about how she hadn’t informed him of her car accident. last year and how she preferred to call Jesse to take her to the hospital rather than reach

out to him.

Jason watched her in silence for a moment, remembering the slap he had given her, remembering the fire she was accused of setting. Despite his reluctance to believe she was guilty, the evidence was damning. Their relationship was irreparably altered.

Estrella stirred in her sleep, and Jason, expressionless, stood up. She did not wake as he pulled the covers over her.

Meanwhile, Bryce had just dropped Jesse off at her place when her father, Tori, called. Annoyed, Jesse hung up, but Tori called right back.

“Look, I’m already in bed,” Jesse snapped when she picked up. “Whatever it is, can wait till

tomorrow.”

now. The driver’s right

back to see the driver standing a few feet away, then begrudgingly got into the car, muttering about the inevitability of facing her father eventually.

Melinda, were at home. They were all smiles until Jesse entered, casting a shadow over their merriment as if she were there to collect debts.

home,” Damita greeted her

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09-14

time, Damita feigned warmth, but as the rift between Jesse and Tori grew, she couldn’t bother to

in her pockets and faced Tori, “What’s it, Dad? Make it quick. Don’t waste

Jesse could continue, Damita interjected, “Look at her, Tori, no trace of femininity left. What kind of girl cuts her hair short like that? Acts so brashly? Speaks to her father in

driven mad by both my children,” Damita lamented as if she had always regarded

to mediate, “Enough, Mom. Jesse has her own

Melinda only darkened Tori’s mood. Damita’s provocation made him view Jesse not as

me the act,

Look at the

either of us.”

Saturday,” Tori stated coldly. “You’ll have lunch with Hanson, and our families will have

their decision. “I won’t be

a shareholder in Manning International.

was met with Jesse’s sarcastic laughter. Estrella was right.

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