Chapter 23 Keep Your Mouth Shut
Isaac flashed a bright smile. “Alright, I understand. I’ll come by your office to discuss it in more detail.
He had a difficult case, one that required Jonathan’s personal involvement to win.
Unfortunately, Jonathan was notoriously hard to book, so now that Isaac had the opportunity to meet him, he naturally. wanted to ingratiate himself.
Upon observing Isaac’s attempts to flatter Jonathan, Naomi felt a growing sense of displeasure.
However, she didn’t dare say anything further to Jonathan or Estella. Swallowing her frustration, she quietly left.
According to Isabelle, the eldest son of the Kingston Bennett family would be attending tonight. She wondered if the unmarried second son would show up as well.
If he did, she was determined to make a lasting impression on him.
If she could marry into the Bennett family in Kingston, she’d certainly become the center of attention in Javerton’s high society.
Once Isaac was dealt with, Jonathan turned his attention to Estella. “Are you getting bored?”
Estella smiled lightly. “Not at all.”
She hadn’t realized just how highly regarded Jonathan was in Javerton. Even Isabelle’s brother had to play up to him.
“Are you hungry? Let me get you something to eat.”
Jonathan brought her a small cake. Estella accepted it without hesitation and began eating slowly with a spoon.
When Jonathan noticed a bit of cake on her face, he took a napkin and gently wiped it away.
His proximity made Estella’s heart flutter, a soft blush creeping across her face.
This moment didn’t escape Nathaniel, who had just entered the banquet hall.
He hadn’t expected Estella to be here tonight, nor had he anticipated seeing her so close to another man.
Isabelle, linking her arm with his, sensed his growing displeasure. Following his gaze, she spotted Estella.
She smiled faintly and casually remarked, “Nate, I didn’t know Estella had found a boyfriend so quickly after leaving you. I overheard Isaac saying the man is Mr. Bennett. He is famous for avoiding women and rejecting marriage. I never thought Estella could win him over. By the way, that dress she’s wearing must be expensive. Looks like she really has Mr. Bennett’s favor!”
Nathaniel’s brow furrowed at her words. “Avoiding women and rejecting marriage? Does that mean he’s just playing around?”
In elite circles, many people claimed to avoid marriage while indulging in casual relationships.
Nathaniel couldn’t help but curse Estella for being so naive.
Rather than becoming Mrs. Hartwell, she’s content being another man’s plaything.
But tonight, Estella truly looked stunning.
He had never seen her dressed so elegantly. He almost hadn’t recognized her earlier.
At that moment, several men at the banquet were covertly eyeing Estella.
As a man himself, Nathaniel recognized those looks all too well.
His anger flared.
Estella is mine. She belongs at home. What is she doing in a place like this, making a fool of herself?
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3:22 PM PP.
Chapter 23 Keep Your Mouth Shut
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Finished
When he saw Jonathan leaving to fetch Estella a drink, Nathaniel couldn’t take it anymore. He stormed toward her, ready to give this thoughtless woman a piece of his mind.
Estella didn’t expect Nathaniel to approach her.
She really didn’t want to deal with him, so she turned to avoid him.
But Nathaniel wouldn’t let her go.
“Estella, do you have no shame?”
Estella looked at him, bewildered by his angry expression. “What do you mean by that?”
Nathaniel glared at her dress and scolded, “It’s disgraceful.”
Estella glanced down at her dress. It wasn’t revealing. There was no cleavage, no exposed waist, just a hint of collarbone.
How is that disgraceful? He should take a look at Isabelle, her dress is practically falling off her chest.
She found this man completely irrational.
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with my outfit. Mr. Hartwell, you and I have no relationship anymore. If you don’t like it, then keep it to yourself!”
Nathaniel’s displeasure deepened at her coldness.
“I’m doing this for your own good, and how dare you speak to me like that? Do you really think Mr. Bennett is a good man? He’s only playing with you. You idiot! He’ll sleep with you and leave you with nothing, while you strut around, thinking you’re special.”
Slap!
Estella slapped him across the face without hesitation.
Nathaniel was shocked. He never thought she would actually hit him.
“Estella, how dare you slap me?” Nathaniel’s face turned crimson with rage.
Is she still the gentle Estella I once knew? How did she become this angry, bitter woman?
“Speak again and I’ll slap you again!”
Isabelle, standing by, spoke up in Nathaniel’s defense. “Estella, how could you do this? Nate is only trying to help you. How can you hit him?”
Estelia shot back coldly, “Say one more word, and I’ll slap you too!”
Isabelle recoiled, instinctively stepping behind Nathaniel.
She realized Estella was no longer the same woman. The Estella who would quietly endure had vanished. Now, she wasn’t afraid to slap Nathaniel,
Perhaps it was for the best. Now that Nathaniel saw her true nature, he would surely cast her aside.
Jonathan approached, standing protectively behind Estella. He addressed Nathaniel with authority. “Mr. Hartwell, are you living in the Dark Ages? If you can’t respect a woman’s attire, then at least learn to keep your mouth shut.”
