Chapter 32 The Bribe
Do you think Estella will really give up the spot for me?” Isabelle asked.
Nathaniel replied, “She’s my wife. She shouldn’t be putting herself on display, I’ll speak to her myself.
Finished
Although Isabelle wasn’t happy that Nathaniel still insisted on keeping Estella as his wife, hearing that he’d help her get the position made her quite pleased.
Meanwhile. Estella was talking with Jonathan..
She was so excited she could barely speak.
Jonathan was genuinely happy for her. “Let me treat you to a meal to celebrate.”
Estella was still feeling a bit overwhelmed. “I should be the one treating you.”
Just then, Nathaniel walked over and said to her, “Estella, give the spot to Isabelle. She needs this opportunity more than you do. You’ll be returning to the Hartwell family as my wife soon anyway–why suffer out here performing? If you agree, I’ll transfer you a million as compensation.”
Her good mood was instantly ruined.
She couldn’t believe how arrogant he was.
Where did he get the confidence to think she should give up something she earned with her own hard work for Isabelle?
She’d told him many times they were already divorced–why did he always act like he owned her?
It was laughable.
She turned to him coldly. “I earned this spot fair and square. Why should I give it to her? Is being your wife encrusted with billions in diamonds? Why would I ever want to go back? If it’s so appealing, why don’t you just marry Isabelle and have her be your wife?”
“Estella, stop this nonsense!” Nathaniel said sternly. “You’ve been acting out lately, and I’ve indulged you long enough. Even after you went behind my back and filed for divorce, I didn’t hold it against you. Your personality isn’t suited for working or being in the public eye. What’s so bad about coming home and accepting my protection?”
He seemed to have completely forgotten about the contract and all the arguments before. He was still stubbornly trying to trap her in that marriage.
Estella sneered. “Nathaniel, who’s being ridiculous right now? Let me ask you sincerely–please stop disgusting me. Why can’t you accept that we’re divorced? My life is my own. Don’t interfere.”
Seeing that he couldn’t convince her, Nathaniel’s face darkened with anger. “If you won’t agree, I’ll talk to the orchestra director myself.”
He turned around and headed straight for Chase.
Estella was so angry her chest hurt. Worried he’d ruin her chances, she rushed to follow him, but Jonathan stopped her.
‘Don’t worry. Mr. Chase won’t agree to anything he says.”
Jonathan had already spoken with Chase before, asking him to give Estella a chance.
Now that Estella had ranked first, her place in the orchestra was more than justified.
Besides, Chase already admired Estella. No matter what Nathaniel said, he wouldn’t be swayed.
With Jonathan’s reassurance, Estella’s anxiety finally eased.
Nathaniel found Chase and got straight to the point. “Mr. Chase, I’d like to discuss something with you.”
Chase looked at him curiously. “What can I do for you, Mr. Nathaniel?”
Chapter 32 The Bribe
Finished
Nathaniel said, “The winner of this audition is my wife. I don’t want her performing publicly. If you can give the opportunity to the runner–up, Isabelle, I’ll invest ten million in the orchestra.”
Chase nearly laughed.
“As far as I know, Ms. Estella is single.”
“We’re just temporarily separated. We’ll be remarrying soon.”
Chase raised a brow with interest. “If you’re trying to get back together with Ms. Estella, do you really think she’ll want to reconcile after you take away such an important opportunity?”
Nathaniel replied as if it were obvious, “She’s just mad at me right now. Us getting back together is only a matter of time.”
Chase had no respect for men who wanted everything both ways. He rejected him flat–out. “Sorry, Mr. Nathaniel. I can’t agree. Our orchestra doesn’t lack investors.”
With that, he nodded politely and walked away.
Nathaniel hadn’t expected Chase to refuse him.
Annoyed, he quickly regained his composure.
Chase wasn’t the only person in charge of the orchestra. If he said no, Nathaniel would just go to someone else.
He called his assistant. “Look into the Symphony Band’s directors. I want full profiles on every single one of them.”
Soon, the assistant sent over the information.
Nathaniel scanned through it and discovered that another director, Waylon Fox, was currently troubled because his son had been detained for assault.
Coincidentally, Nathaniel knew someone in the department who could help get the kid off the hook.
As for the victim’s family, money could smooth everything over.
He went straight to Waylon.
When Waylon heard Nathaniel could resolve the issue for him, he thanked him profusely and immediately agreed to let Isabelle into the Symphony Band.
