SWNOVELS Chapter 126
Chapter 126
When Jason arrived, Bryce and the others toned down their chatter, abandoning their private conversations for some
inconsequential gossip.
After dinner, Bryce walked home with Jesse, while Estrella naturally returned to Sandalwood Oasis with Jason. They exchanged
sparse, trivial comments in the car, but the atmosphere was relatively harmonious.
Upon arriving, Estrella had somehow already fallen asleep without Jason noticing. He gazed at her for a moment before deciding
to pick her up and carry her inside. Jason realized she hadn’t gained much weight. Her 5’7′′ frame was still feather-light.
“Back already?” Marie whispered with a soft chuckle as she greeted Jason, who was carrying Estrella in.
“Mm,” Jason replied curtly, taking Estrella upstairs and gently laying her on the bed.
Kneeling by the bed, Jason was haunted by the memory of their midnight talk when Estrella mentioned how his push had caused
her internal bruising. His heart clenched uncomfortably. He also thought about how she hadn’t informed him of her car accident.
last year and how she preferred to call Jesse to take her to the hospital rather than reach out to him.
Jason watched her in silence for a moment, remembering the slap he had given her, remembering the fire she was accused of
setting. Despite his reluctance to believe she was guilty, the evidence was damning. Their relationship was irreparably altered.
Estrella stirred in her sleep, and Jason, expressionless, stood up. She did not wake as he pulled the covers over her.
Meanwhile, Bryce had just dropped Jesse off at her place when her father, Tori, called. Annoyed, Jesse hung up, but Tori called
right back.
“Look, I’m already in bed,” Jesse snapped when she picked up. “Whatever it is, can wait till tomorrow.”
Tori’s voice came through, unbothered. “Come home now. The driver’s right behind you, and there’s no need to make things
difficult.”
Jesse glanced back to see the driver standing a few feet away, then begrudgingly got into the car, muttering about the
inevitability of facing her father eventually.
Half an hour later, Jesse arrived at the Manning residence. Tori, along with Damita and Melinda, were at home. They were all
smiles until Jesse entered, casting a shadow over their merriment as if she were there to collect debts.
“You’re home,” Damita greeted her with a chilling tone,
Once upon a time, Damita feigned warmth, but as the rift between Jesse and Tori grew, she couldn’t bother to pretend.
Jesse stuffed her hands in her pockets and faced Tori, “What’s it, Dad? Make it quick. Don’t waste my time.”
Before Jesse could continue, Damita interjected, “Look at her, Tori, no trace of femininity left. What kind of girl cuts her hair short
like that? Acts so brashly? Speaks to her father in such a manner?”
“If Melinda was like this, I’d be driven mad by both my children,” Damita lamented as if she had always regarded Jesse as her
own.
Melinda stepped in, trying to mediate, “Enough, Mom. Jesse has her own preferences, and we shouldn’t judge.”
The act between Damita and Melinda only darkened Tori’s mood. Damita’s provocation made him view Jesse not as a daughter
but as an adversary.
Jesse dismissed their charade. “Spare me the act, will you?”
Damita flared up. “Tori, do you see this? Look at the disrespect! She doesn’t care about either of us.”
Tori, a man who valued power and demanded obedience, was incensed by Jesse’s defiance. “You’ll clear your schedule this
Saturday,” Tori stated coldly. “You’ll have lunch with Hanson, and our families will have dinner. No arguments. It’s been arranged
by your grandparents.”
Jesse was taken aback, but she quickly pieced together that Tori must’ve influenced their decision. “I won’t be going. You can go
without me,” Jesse’s voice was icy.
Tori’s anger boiled over. “You’ll agree to this marriage whether you like it or not. Do forget you’re a daughter of the Manning
family and a shareholder in Manning International. If you want to live selfishly, relinquish your shares and sever ties with th
family. Then you can do as you please.”
Tori’s furious logic was met with Jesse’s sarcastic laughter. Estrella was right. Tori was after her shares.
Jesse, hands still pocketed, faced her father defiantly, “Dream on about getting my shares.”
Damita leaned in, her voice dripping with condescension. “Why would a girl like you need so many shares? You must know that
Estrella and Bryce are as cunning as they come. Your dad’s only looking out for you. Handing over your shares to him is the right
move.”
Jesse shot back without missing a beat, “Dream on.”
With a nonchalant shrug, she pulled her hand from her pocket and dusted off her jeans. “I won’t be at the gathering on Saturday,
and I’m definitely not transferring my shares. My life, my rules. I don’t need you or anyone else to call the shots for me.”
She added firmly, “I came here today to make my stance clear. So, Tóri, do yourself a favor and stop ringing me up.”
Tori’s face turned a shade of crimson, veins throbbing at his neck, as he barked orders at the help, “Lock her up in her room.
She’s marrying whether she likes it or not.”
As the domestic staff moved to seize Jesse, she spun around, locking eyes with Tori. “You can imprison me, force me down the
aisle, but let’s get one thing straight. If my lawyer can’t reach or see me in three days, my 21% stake in Manning International will
vanish from the Manning family’s grasp. It’ll be donated. So, Tori, you might as well get used to clutching your measly 20%.
Manning International could slip through your fingers at any moment.”