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.”

unbothered. “Come home now. The driver’s right behind

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

and Melinda, were at home. They were

Damita greeted her

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rift between Jesse and

faced Tori, “What’s it, Dad? Make it quick.

trace of femininity left. What kind of girl cuts her hair short

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

Mom. Jesse has

made him view Jesse not as a daughter but

charade. “Spare me the act, will you?”

up. “Tori, do you see this? Look at the disrespect! She

either of us.”

this Saturday,” Tori stated coldly. “You’ll have lunch with Hanson, and our families will have dinner. No arguments. It’s been arranged by your grandparents.”

pieced together that Tori must’ve influenced their decision. “I won’t be going. You can go without me,” Jesse’s voice was

or not. Do forget you’re a daughter of the Manning family and a shareholder in Manning International. If you want to live selfishly, relinquish your shares and sever ties with th

laughter. Estrella was right. Tori was

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