Chapter 267
Outside the private room, Estrella took the call, “Korey.”
Then she replied, “You’re outside? Okay, I’ll come out.” After hanging up, she made a beeline for the entrance.
Once she reached the parking lot, Estrella didn’t see the familiar vehicle. Instead, there was a black Mercedes parked on the outer edge of the lot, its license plate numbers unremarkable. Yet Estrella sensed something different about this car. As she approached, Blake actually stepped out to open the backseat door for her.
Estrella slid into the car and said, “Everyone’s here, you sure you don’t want to come in for a bit?” Then she added with a laugh, “Guess that wouldn’t be quite right anymore, given your new status.” Otherwise, he wouldn’t have switched cars to come here.
Korey chuckled, “I’d love to join you all, but it’s not so simple for me anymore.” Ever since he chose this path as a politician, he had to give up many things.
Estrella carried a subtle fragrance with her, and as she looked at him, she said, “Thanks for your support behind the scenes with the Glimmering Lake case.”
Estrella knew without Korey’s backing, the case might have been buried long ago.
Korey replied, “Stopping corruption and serving the people is our duty.” He added, “The higher-ups are here now. We’re digging deep into everything linked to ChemiSphere. It’s only fair after all your hard work.”
Estrella said, “If we manage a thorough investigation and bring fairness to the villagers of Glimmering Lake, that would be the best outcome.”
Korey remarked, “Jason’s been quite involved this time. He cares about you. You tv should take good care of each other.”
Estrella smiled, “Sure, I’ll follow your orders.”
She was smart in her way, never arguing just to prove a point, keeping out of discussi that weren’t hers to have. She kept her own counsel-that was enough. Her private matters with Jason were definitely not topics to discuss with Korey.
Korey ruffled her hair with a smile, just like when she was younger. He didn’t tell Estrella that when he heard she and Keegan were ambushed, he was furious and vowed to investigate thoroughly, no matter who was involved. There were many things they couldn’t discuss openly, and so much was left unsaid.
After chatting for a while, when Estrella glanced at her watch, Korey mentioned that he had to make a trip to see the former supervisor. Blake then opened the car door from the outside.
Truth be told, he didn’t need to visit the former supervisor’s home. He had just returned
00.00
from a business trip and had come straight to see her.
It wasn’t until Estrella re-entered the clubhouse and her figure disappeared from his view that Korey instructed Blake to drive off.
With her hands in the pockets of her coat, Estrella hadn’t even reached the private room when she saw Jason leaning against the corridor wall, smoking, with a somewhat sour expression. Estrella slowed her pace, and Jason extinguished the cigarette in the nearby trash bin, standing up straight. “Why do you come back? Why didn’t you just ride off with him?”
Estrella had just left the room when he had followed right behind. By the time she returned from Korey’s car, he had finished his cigarette. If it weren’t for their longstanding familiarity and his fear of her making a scene, he would’ve tapped on the car window long
ago.
In reality, Estrella had only been in Korey’s car for about fifteen minutes.
Faced with Jason’s sarcasm, Estrella took out her phone from her pocket, “Then I’ll call him back, and have him come pick me up again.” Original from NôvelDrama.Org.
Jason’s mood, already foul, darkened further at her words. They locked eyes, and Jason’s facial scar stood out starkly. Estrella couldn’t help but remember the night she and Keegan were cornered, and the fierce look in Jason’s eyes as he slapped the car door, ordering her to stay put.
After staring at Jason for a moment, Estrella slipped her phone back and approached him, tousling his hair playfully, “We were just talking shop. Besides, Blake was right there. What kind of mischief do you think we could get up to?” If they were up to no good, it certainly wouldn’t be in such a place, or in a car for that matter.
Estrella watched Jason, just the thought of what Jason might be thinking felt like a desecration of Korey. Seriously, not everyone was like Jason.
Jason removed her hand and still spoke in a cold and indifferent manner. “What’s the discuss with him? And was Blake even sitting in the car with you guys?”
Her hand having been pushed aside, Estrella crossed her arms and faced him, “Jason, already explaining to you here. If you keep this up, then I might as well leave.”
When Jason heard that she was explaining him, his mood immediately improved. Yet, the thought of her being alone with Korey for even a short while made him shove his hands back into his pockets and glance coldly at her before striding into the private room.
Watching his retreating back, Estrella smiled and followed at her own pace. She would figure out a way to handle Jason.
However, once they returned to the room, Jason didn’t cling to her as before. Given his usual haughty demeanor, no one noticed anything strange, except for Estrella, who knew he was still brooding. She thought to herself, “he’s got quite a jealous streak, just like
Isaac.”
Until the event ended and everyone went their separate ways, Jason kept ignoring Estrella, not speaking to her. Estrella didn’t mind. She went about her business, not treating him any differently.
While driving, Jason occasionally glanced at Estrella as she responded to messages and took calls, his expression growing darker. He was still upset, yet there she was, chatting and working as if nothing was wrong, utterly oblivious to his feelings.
It wasn’t until they reached an intersection with a traffic light that Jason, instead of going straight, made a right turn. Estrella finally turned to him, “This isn’t the way to my place, Jason. Turn around.”
Jason kept driving, ignoring her completely.
“Fine, fine, fine, you’re mad, you win,” Estrella huffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “I’ll just catch a cab home later, okay?”
At her words, Jason’s expression grew even darker, if that was possible.
Estrella watched from the corner of her eye as he practically stewed in his own anger, and she couldn’t help but stifle a laughter deep down. She reveled in not giving him the easy out he so desperately sought, preferring to watch him squirm just a little longer. She could see right through his little games. He was just looking for an excuse to make a big deal out of nothing.
Before long, the car pulled up to Sandalwood Qasis. Estrella, without missing a beat, rummaged through her purse and pulled out her smartphone.
Jason, who had been seething in silence the whole ride, finally mustered the will to spe “What are you up to now?” he asked.
Estrella replied nonchalantly, “Calling a ride home, what else?” Her tone was casual.
9.