Chapter 24 Our Relationship
Finished
A surge of inexplicable fury welled up in Nathaniel’s chest as he saw Jonathan and Estella standing intimately close.
Clenching his jaw, he demanded, “Do you have any idea what my relationship with Estella is?”
He refused to believe that Jonathan could accept Estella so easily if he knew she was his ex–wife.
No man would want another’s discarded woman
Jonathan’s voice was indifferent. “Mr. Hartwell, don’t flatter yourself. You’re not even worth my attention.”
With that, he took Estella’s hand and said gently, “Estella, shall we dance?”
Estella readily agreed. “Sure.”
She had no desire to stay and be disgusted by Nathaniel and Isabelle.
Jonathan was tall and striking, Estella elegant and radiant. As they glided across the dance floor, they made a stunning pair.
Guests murmured in admiration, praising them as a perfect match.
Nathaniel’s eyes burned with rage. Estella is my woman. How dare she dance with another man?
Upon noticing his intense focus on Estella, Isabelle felt a surge of irritation.
She tugged at Nathaniel’s sleeve and whispered, “Nate, let’s dance too.”
Determined to provoke Estella, Nathaniel took Isabelle’s hand and led her to the center of the ballroom.
To further incite her, he deliberately leaned closer to Isabelle, feigning intimacy.
Yet, to his growing frustration, Estella didn’t even glance his way.
She truly didn’t care about him anymore.
The realization struck Nathaniel like a sledgehammer, sending sharp waves of pain coursing through his chest.
His lips pressed into a firm line, and his expression darkened.
The dance ended swiftly. Jonathan escorted Estella to the side to rest.
Nathaniel was about to approach Estella when Isabelle suddenly tugged at his sleeve, pointing toward the entrance.
The president of Bennett Group, Jeremy, had just arrived, accompanied by world–renowned pianist Chase.
Their entrance immediately commanded the room’s attention.
Isabelle’s brother and several influential executives quickly gathered around them.
Nathaniel knew that business took precedence and reluctantly abandoned his pursuit of Estella, striding over to engage Jeremy in conversation.
Yet Jeremy remained coolly indifferent to everyone, treating them all with the same detached courtesy.
Nathaniel met with a wall of coldness but refused to back down.
Meanwhile, Isabelle had set her sights on Chase.
With a bright smile, she said, “Mr. Chase, I’ve long admired your work. I’m Isabelle Monroe. I understand you’ve returned to recruit new talent for your orchestra. I wonder if I might have the honor of joining?”
She assumed that, as the daughter of the prestigious Monroe family, Chase would at least show her some favor.
Yet Chase maintained a strictly professional demeanor. “Our orchestra recruits members through a formal and impartial competition. Ms. Isabelle, you’re welcome to apply.”
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3:22 PM P
Chapter 24 Our Relationship
Finished
Isabelle hadn’t expected Chase to show such blatant disregard for the Monroe family’s influence, and resentment flared in her chest.
However, given his international standing and her own aspirations of using his reputation to boost her own, she swallowed her frustration.
Estella noticed Chase too. He had always been her idol, and now, seeing him in person, excitement surged through her.
Yet with so many people crowding around him, she refrained from approaching and simply admired him from afar.
Jonathan had long known of Estella’s admiration for Chase.
One of his reasons for bringing her to the banquet was to help her establish a connection.
If she could join Chase’s orchestra, her future would be far brighter than if she remained at Serenade Music Hub.
“Let’s go greet Mr. Jeremy and Mr. Chase,” he suggested.
“Can we?” Estella asked nervously.
Jonathan gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “Of course.”
They approached the two men.
Jonathan greeted them with polite respect. “Mr. Jeremy, Mr. Chase, it’s an honor to finally meet you.”
Jeremy played along. “Mr. Bennett, the honor is mine.”
The two brothers exchanged a knowing glance and clinked glasses in tacit understanding.
Chase had a longstanding friendship with their father, Hudson Bennett, and was naturally familiar with the Bennett brothers.
However, seeing them pretend to be mere acquaintances, he chose not to call them out on it.
Jonathan introduced Estella. “Mr. Chase, this is my friend, Estella Hayes. She’s also a pianist. If you could offer her some guidance. I’m sure she’d greatly appreciate it.”
Jeremy cast Estella a glance, raising an eyebrow. So this is the woman Jon is interested in?
Chase found the name “Estella Hayes” oddly familiar.
He sifted through his memory and suddenly recalled that his friend Dallas had recommended her to him years ago.
He had even watched recordings of her performances.
Estella was exceptionally gifted.
It was a shame she had married immediately after graduation. Otherwise, he would have gladly welcomed her into his orchestra.
Now intrigued, Chase turned to her with genuine interest and offered a warm smile. “I’ve heard of you, Ms. Hayes. If you’re interested, you’re welcome to participate in our upcoming recruitment competition. If you qualify, we’ll have plenty of opportunities to collaborate in the future.”
