billion book
Chapter 18
Chapter 18
When Estelle left, Jonathan also needed to go out, so he gave her a ride back to the city center.
Sharing such a confined space with Jonathan, Estelle felt a bit uncomfortable and pretended to look at
the scenery outside.
As the car hit the asphalt road, Jonathan looked ahead and said calmly, “So, Manley’s pursuing you?”
“What?”
Estelle was surprised and didn’t expect Jonathan to know about it.
“I saw him giving you flowers outside the University of J City.” Jonathan explained, as if he knew what
she was thinking.
“Oh!” Estelle nodded slightly.
Jonathan’s elegant hand held the steering wheel, and the noon sunlight shone on his profile, casting a
halo that outlined his well-defined jaw, handsome and noble.
His voice was low and steady, “Before you consider Manley, there’s something I need to tell you. He
and Lucille are cousins. Lucille’s mom is his aunt.”
This surprised Estelle, so that’s how it was!
Jonathan continued, “I don’t know if Manley’s pursuit of you is genuine, but I feel responsible to tell you Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
about their relationship. Whether you agree to be with Manley is up to you.”
Estelle looked out the car window, her lips curved slightly, “No need to make a decision, I don’t think he
will come to see me again!”
“Hmm?” Jonathan didn’t understand what she meant and looked at her through the rearview mirror.
Her eyebrows and eyelashes were coal black, her lips were rose red, and her teeth were pearl white.
She had at natural sense of beauty. Under the sunlight, her slightly chubby face looked so tender,
making people tempted to pinch it.
Estelle stayed silent, just reveling in her thoughts, smiling to herself.
She was in a good mood and said goodbye to Jonathan with a smile when she got off the car.
Estelle bought two boxes of the popular “starry sky” candies from a dessert shop near the school, took
the bus back to Villa del Sol, and gave Emily one box after getting off at Maple Street.
Back at the villa, she spent the afternoon reading, playing games, teasing Max, and time quickly
passed. At six, she received a call from Magdalen, who was already on her way.
Half an hour later, Magdalen parked her red Porsche outside the villa, took off her sunglasses, and
whistled, “Hey, beauty! You’re even prettier than last time I saw you!”
Estelle just smiled graciously and got into the car.
Magdalen handed her a pile of shopping bags from the back, “My mom just came back from France,
and she bought all this stuff for you. There are clothes, jewelry, and bags. Check them out later.”
Estelle, slightly overwhelmed by the gifts, said, “Please thank godmother for me. But I don’t usually
need these things, so tell her not to buy them anymore.”
Magdalen, while making a U-turn, said helplessly, “I’ve told her. I said, ‘Estelle’s got the entire GK
Jewelry Studio. Do you think she will need these? But my mom said, ‘My gifts are different!’ Anyway,
she just wants to satisfy her shopping cravings, you just accept it.”
A warm feeling filled Estelle’s heart, and she changed the subject, “Where are we going?”
“One of my friends just opened a restaurant. She invited me to show support, and I thought it would be
perfect
14:45
to bring you along for good food!” Magdalen grinned, beautiful and lively.
Magdalen’s friend’s restaurant was located in the downtown, prime spot with elegant decorations and
bustling traffic.
Upon entering, Magdalen took Estelle straight to a reserved private room.
The owner was a thirty-ish powerful woman named Kim Larsen. She was Magdalen’s senior
schoolmate when Magdalen studied abroad, and they continued to keep in touch after coming back.
Kim greeted Magdalen warmly and helped them order signature dishes and drinks.
The restaurant was busy, and many guests wanted Kim’s attention. She had to leave but told Magdalen
to take care of Estelle.
The waiter soon served the dishes, mostly seafood: Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon, salt-grilled bream,
Crab tostadas… All delicious and well-prepared.
As they ate, the topic naturally turned to Jonathan.
Magdalen was quite curious, “You’ve been visiting the Lamont family so many times, and Jonathan still
doesn’t know about your relationship?”
Estelle calmly nodded, “He doesn’t!”
Magdalen couldn’t help but laugh, “This is interesting! What do you think his reaction would be if he
found
out?”
Estelle recalled what Jonathan had said the night at the Sapphire Hotel and sighed, “He might just
throw me,
out!”
“That’s why I told you to sleep with him first, to take the initiative! With Jonathan’s physique and
appearance, we definitely got the better end of the stick!” Magdalen schemed with a gleam in her eyes.
Estelle looked at her, “Do you think it’s that easy to sleep with Jonathan?”
The first time was purely accidental.
Magdalen smirked, “Darling, you have to be confident! Or should I teach you a few tricks?”
“No!” Estelle exclaimed, “Your tricks are for men, not for women. Save them for Morrison Langston.”
Magdalen laughed, “Do I even need to use any tricks on him?”
Estelle nodded in agreement, “Morrison’s the one doing all the work.”
Magdalen laughed so hard she almost spat out her drink.
Halfway through the meal, Morrison called Magdalen. Estelle excused herself, fearing they’d talk about
something inappropriate, and went to the restroom.
As she turned right down the corridor, a man and his entourage walked out from a side corridor. They
were all trying to impress and pay respects to the man.
The group stopped outside a private room, and someone pushed the door open, inviting Jonathan to
enter first. A group of over a dozen people sat in the private room, standing up one by one as they saw
Jonathan.
“Jonah!”
“Boss!”
They all greeted him with respect.
Jonathan had been away from J City for three years, but those who used to surround him still held the
same reverence towards him.
Everyone in the private room was standing, except for one guy who didn’t even give Jonathan a
glance.
Nigel Bailey, sitting next to him, bent down and laughed, “Mr. Scott, this is Mr. Lamont ”
Manley finally stood up, hands in pockets, and gave Jonathan a casual grin, ‘Mr. Lamont, long time no
seel”
Jonathan calmly walked over to the seat across from him and sat down, then calmly said, “Nice to meet
you!”
People started sitting down, pouring drinks, and making small talks, creating the atmosphere like a
reunion of old friends.
Nigel raised his glass and laughed, “I’ve been wanting to have a meal with both Mr. Lamont and Mr.
Scott. Today, I’m fortunate to have both of you here. Let me propose a toast.”
Manley smirked, “Nigel should’ve done this for ages. After all, Mr. Lamont just got back. We should
have thrown a welcome banquet for Mr. Lamont long ago.”
Jonny kept his poker face, “No need to be so formal, we all know each other.”
Manley laughed meaningfully, “Yeah, we all do.”
The Lamont Group and the Scott Family had collaborations and competitions in business. The Lamont
Group ruled J City, while the Scott family was equally ambitious.
Manley had heard of Jonathan while he was abroad, and both of them were heirs of their families, so
they were bound to be rivals someday.
Manley had been looking forward to that day, but when he returned to the country, Jonathan was
already gone. -After three years, Jonathan finally came back.
Everyone there noticed the underlying tension between Jonathan and Manley, so they spoke cautiously
to maintain the atmosphere.
After all, they couldn’t afford to offend neither of them.
Estelle was washing her hands in the restroom, while two ladies were chatting behind her, applying
makeup. The one in the blue dress laughed and said, “Hattie, how on earth did you get a job at Firefly
Media Group?”
The lady in white, with a gentle face and soft voice, replied, “Just good luck, I guess.”
“How could you keep it from me!” the girl in the blue dress teased her, “I heard Jonathan handpicked
you for the job. You really hit the jackpot!”
She lowered her voice, insinuating, “Tell me, how’d you end up in his bed?”