Chapter 38 Reckoning
Jonathan had called over a dozen times.
After texting Chase and Trent to let them know she was safe, Estella finally lay down to rest.
Bailey curled up at her feet, bringing her a rare sense of comfort.
Finished
She slept soundly through the night. The next morning, after getting ready, she went to the police station with Jonathan to give her statement.
Once they left the station, Estella turned to him. “There’s somewhere I want to go alone. You don’t have to come–go to work.
Jonathan hesitated, worried. But he knew Estella. She might look quiet and gentle, but once she made up her mind, nothing could stop her.
He simply reminded her, “Be careful.”
Estella nodded and watched him leave before getting into a taxi bound for Nathaniel’s company.
Inside the office, Nathaniel was on the phone.
“They’ve all been arrested?” he asked, anxious. “They won’t rat me out, will they?”
When the voice on the other end reassured him, he finally relaxed. “Good. As long as they keep quiet, I’ll make sure they’re taken care of when they get out.”
He ended the call and tossed the phone onto the desk, his expression dark and brooding.
He had instructed Dan to have Estella detained and released after a set time–no harm to come to her.
But somehow the police had gotten involved.
Still, at least she’d missed the performance.
Estella had only just joined the Symphony Band and already made a huge mistake. He couldn’t imagine they’d still want to keep her.
If Chase insisted on protecting her, he’d just reach out to the other director, Waylon, and stir things up. There was no way Estella would be able to stay.
Thinking this through, he made another call to Waylon.
Nathaniel had helped resolve Waylon’s family trouble, so Waylon didn’t hesitate. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it. Estella already doesn’t I get along with the others in the group. No one likes her.
If Chase still tries to keep her, it’ll cause tension. No matter how much he values her, he’ll have to consider the harmony of the whole group. There’s no way she can stay.”
With that reassurance, Nathaniel’s mood improved.
Just then, Whitney came in. “Mr. Nathaniel, your wife is here. Should I let her in?”
Nathaniel assumed that after everything Estella had been through last night, she’d finally come to her senses–realized that being his wife was far better than working herself to death.
She was here to come back to him.
He smiled. “Let her in.”
Estella stepped into the Hartwell Group.
She remembered how every other time she’d come here, it was to drop off documents.
Nathaniel had never once let her into his office.
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Chapter 38 Reckoning
No one at the company even knew she was his wife.
It was obvious he didn’t value her, which was why she avoided coming unless absolutely necessary.
She thought today would be the same.
But to her surprise. Whitney personally escorted her upstairs.
Finished
Along the way, Whitney even asked carefully, “Would you like some coffee, ma’am? Any preference? I can make it for you in a
moment.
Estella offered a polite smile. “No need. I won’t be staying long.”
Seeing her refusal, Whitney didn’t dare say more.
When Estella walked into the office, Nathaniel dismissed Whitney and closed the door.
He looked at her warmly. “What brings you here?”
Without answering. Estella walked over, picked up the glass of water on his desk–and splashed it straight into his face.
It happened so fast Nathaniel didn’t have time to react. Water dripped down his stunned face.
His expression turned dark. He gritted his teeth. “Estella, what the hell are you doing?”
Estella let out a cold laugh. “Doing? Shouldn’t I be the one asking what you’ve done? Those kidnappers–weren’t they hired by you?”
I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he lied, avoiding her gaze.
She scoffed. “Nathaniel, I didn’t know you could stoop this low. What, you don’t even have the guts to admit it now?”
Seeing that he couldn’t bluff his way out, Nathaniel dropped the act and tried to apologize.
“I was wrong. I admit it. But I told them not to hurt you–I just wanted you to come back. That job, Estella, it’s not right for you.”
He actually thought he was being reasonable.
He kept going, trying to convince her. “You’re not suited for the spotlight. Remember when we first got married? Even the maids at the old house walked all over you. How are you supposed to handle the workplace? Besides, what do you earn from that orchestra gig? A few thousand a month? Why not just stay home–I’ll give you everything you need. And don’t forget your mom. You’re so busy–when will you have time for her? You know her biggest wish is for you to give me a child. You’re not getting any younger, Estella. If you don’t have a kid soon, it’ll be too late
He said it all like it made perfect sense.
