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Chapter 179
Chapter 179
Outside the door, the man saw that Estrella had opened the door before he even had a chance to knock. With a grin spreading across his face, he greeted her with a casual, “Hey, Estrella.”
Bryce had just showed up like that, and Estrella couldn’t help but say, “What the hell are you doing here?” She had explicitly told him that morning not to come, yet here he was, acting as if he hadn’t heard a word.
Bryce slung an arm around her shoulder as he dragged his suitcase inside and said, “Worried about you, that’s all.” Then he added, “Besides, Holly’s back in town. Who knows what kind of tricks she might pull behind the scenes?”
Estrella responded dryly, “Holly isn’t that foolish.” If Serene was considered intelligent, then Holly was shrewd. After knowing Holly for so many years, that much was clear to everyone.
Unconvinced, Bryce insisted, “Still, I’m not at ease. I need to be by your side 24/7.”
With her hands crossed in front of her chest, Estrella turned to glance at Bryce. He looked so smug, and she had to bump him with her hip. Catching himself, Bryce asked with a roguish tilt of his head, “Estrella, were you heading out to do something when you opened the door?”
“Hungry,” Estrella admitted. “Was about to go grab some grub.”
Without hesitation, Bryce said, “Let’s go. I’ll come with you.” With that, he took Estrella by the hand and they headed out together.
Jason would have a fit if he knew Bryce had come looking for Estrella. What business did Bryce have always hanging around his wife?
After strolling outside for over an hour, not only had they filled their bellies, but they also returned with a bounty of snacks.
Estrella walked in to find Bryce making himself comfortable on her bed. She nudged his foot with hers and said, “Don’t tell me you have no intention of getting a room and plan on crashing here?”
Bryce sat up, leaning on his hands, and repeated his earlier statement, “I told you, I’m on a 24-hour watch.”
Estrella rolled her eyes at his audacity. “We’ll see how Jason skins you alive for this.”
Bryce had a way of forgetting his woes once they were past, something Estrella admired with a sense of resignation. She was the type who could hold a grudge for a lifetime, a classic case of once bitten, twice shy.
“I’ll crash on the couch. Besides, it’s not like we haven’t shared a bed before,” Bryce
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pointed out nonchalantly.
Estrella was a few months younger than Bryce and they had known each other since birth. Bryce had even worn Estrella’s dresses as a child. So, he never really saw Estrella as an outsider, even though she was now married to his cousin.
Estrella gave Bryce a disdainful look and said, ‘Don’t you think you’ve got too much time on your hands? Shouldn’t you be doing something meaningful?”
Sprawled out on the bed like a lounging Adonis, Bryce replied, “The most meaningful thing for me is hanging out with you, Ella. As long as you’re happy, my life has purpose. You’re my whole world.”
Estrella kicked out playfully at him. “Great, now I’m the excuse for your laziness.”
Bryce grabbed a pillow to shield himself, “Ella, it’s not that I’m lazy. You see how it is with the company and Jason. I don’t get a chance to shine. I’ve been thinking about starting something of my own, but every time I do, the folks throw cold water on it and cut off my funds. So, why not just live a carefree life?”
He then added with a sigh, “Having a super successful cousin isn’t always a good thing.”
As Bryce expressed his sentiments, Estrella remarked, “You never should have followed me into the law department.”
“It’s all good,” Bryce reassured her. “I’ve got plans.”
With a playful shove, Estrella said, “Get off my turf.” Taking the hint, Bryce grabbed the pillow and the blanket he’d brought and moved to the couch.
Estrella was in for a long stretch of studying, and Bryce stayed by her side the entire time. He’d doze off while she attended classes, hand her drinks when she was thirsty, and brin her food when she was hungry. His presence was indeed a comfort and convenience f
Estrella.
A week later, Drew knocked on Jason’s office door, his voice trembling slightly as he reported, “Mr. Jason, there’s something you should know.”
Without looking up, Jason said, “Speak.”
“Mr. Bryce has been accompanying Ms. Estrella on her business trip. He hasn’t even bee to the club,” Drew reported.
After a moment of silence, Jason slammed the documents on his desk, his expression turning sour. His wife was away on business, and Bryce had eagerly followed her. It wasn’t the first time this had happened.
Jason was furious, and Drew didn’t dare mention that Bryce hadn’t booked his own room and was staying with Estrella. He’s aware of Estrella and Bryce’s relationship. Along with Jesse, the three of them are so close, it’s as if they’re one person. Fearful of aggravating Jason further, he decided to leave that detail out.
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Seething with anger, Jason stood up and unbuttoned his shirt collar as Drew reminded him, “Mr. Jason, Ms. Estrella will be returning tomorrow morning.”
Jason was livid. With a dark look, he instructed Drew, “Keep a close eye on Bryce when he gets back.”
“Of course, Mr. Jason,” Drew replied, trying to explain, “Actually, Mr. Jason, Ms. Estrella and Mr. Bryce…”
Before Drew could finish, Jason cut him off with a cold voice, “I know there’s nothing going on between them, and there never will be.”
What concerned Jason was Bryce’s influence. Bryce was always encouraging Estrella to divorce him or taking her to places where men indulged in mischief. Bryce never really treated his wife as a woman.
That evening, as Estrella and Bryce enjoyed the takeout they’d bought, Jason’s video call came through. Estrella answered nonchalantly “What’s up?”
Jason’s face was a storm cloud. He said, “Tell Bryce he can’t hide forever. We’ll settle this NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.
when he’s back.”
Annoyed by his tone, Estrella shot back, “He was just worried about me being away. Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.” Sick of his constant negativity, Estrella had had enough. She wasn’t in the mood to appease him anymore.
Estrella’s fleeting irritance didn’t set Jason off. He simply said, “What time should I expect you tomorrow? I’ll pick you up from the airport”
Estrella replied, “If the flight’s on time, I should land at 11 in the morning. If you’re too…”
She was about to tell him not to bother if he was busy, but Jason cut her off, “Ravenwood’s gotten chilly. Layer up before you deplane.”
“Got it.” Estrella had barely responded when Bryce leaned into the frame, chiming in, “Jason, don’t you worry. I’ll take good care of Ella. I’ve even packed her down jacket.”
Jason’s expression darkened instantly as Bryce appeared. Without a word, he ended the video call abruptly.
Estrella glanced at Bryce. Sure, Bryce could be a goofball, but when it came to looking ol for her and Jesse, he was more attentive and daring than anyone.
!
The next morning, the group gathered in the hotel lobby before climbing into the minivan to head to the airport. Bryce had loaded Estrella down with a bounty of snacks, and he didn’t forget her favorite dried prunes.
Meanwhile, in Ravenwood.
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Jason wrapped up his meeting, realizing it was about time to head for the pickup. He quickly briefed the others in charge and made his exit. As he descended in the elevator, his phone buzzed in his pocket. Pulling it out, Jason’s face went through a quick
succession of emotions before he finally answered the call.