Chapter 20 Stop Looking for Me Estella pulled Jonathan outside . Finished By coincidence , there was a display case in front of the store , showcasing several handcrafted artworks designed by a master . Naomi headed straight toward Estella , crashing into her . Jonathan moved quickly and pulled her aside , preventing Naomi from colliding with her . But Naomi wasn't as lucky . She slammed into the display case . The artworks on top immediately toppled over and shattered into pieces . She also bumped her forehead , leaving a large bump . Naomi's best friend rushed over to help her up . " Naomi , are you okay ? " A staff member hurried out , looking anxious . A staff member rushed out , her face filled with anxiety . " These are all extremely valuable artworks ! " Afraid of paying for the damage , Naomi pointed at Estella . " She pushed me , and that's why I accidentally crashed into the display . She should pay for it ! " Nathaniel happened to walk by at that moment . He saw Naomi fall and heard her accusation . Without hesitation , he scolded Estella . " Look at what you've done ! How could you hurt Naomi ? Apologize to her ! " Estella didn't even glance at him , pointing at the security camera at the door . " Mr. Hartwell , if you're not blind , we can check the footage . " The staff member retrieved the footage , showing that Naomi had deliberately crashed into the display . Nathaniel was left speechless . The staff member spoke up at the right moment . " The total value of these artworks is 700,000 dollars . Ms. Naomi , will you be paying with a card ? " Naomi looked at Nathaniel with a wronged expression . Nathaniel could only pull out his card and hand it to the staff . Seeing Nathaniel lose so much money made Estella feel quite pleased . She pulled Jonathan away . Jonathan glanced at Nathaniel , his dark eyes flashing with something unreadable , before following Estella out . Estella said to Jonathan , " I didn't find anything I liked in this store . Let's check other stores. " Jonathan replied , " We don't need to buy a dress . I have a friend in Parsille . I'll have him airlift a dress over . " Estella was surprised by his connections and wealth . " Mr. Bennett , you really don't need to go through all that trouble . " Jonathan , however , insisted , " You promised to accompany me to the banquet . This is something I should do . Let's go look at shoes and jewelry . " After Nathaniel paid the bill and scolded Naomi , he came out looking for Estella . He searched around and finally found her in a shoe store . He saw the man who had been with Estella earlier , bending down to help her try on shoes , their interaction quite intimate . Nathaniel immediately felt as if everything that belonged to him was being taken away . 1/3 Chapter 20 Stop Looking for Me He was furious and rushed toward Jonathan , attempting to push him aside . But before he could touch Jonathan, Jonathan had already noticed his movement . Finished He stood up and sidestepped , causing Nathaniel to stumble and nearly fall . When he turned around , he saw Jonathan's cold , dark gaze , and a chill ran down his spine . Jonathan coldly spoke , " Mr. Hartwell, if you're legally ignorant , I don't mind enlightening you . Article 231 of the Criminal Code states that intentional harm to another person's body can result in imprisonment for up to three years , detention , or supervision . While your sister's and your actions were an attempted crime , you still bear criminal responsibility . " Nathaniel hadn't expected Estella's boyfriend to be so eloquent . Seeing Estella's indifferent expression , showing no intention of speaking up for him , he angrily said . " He slanders me , and you won't speak up for me ? " The Estella from before wasn't like this . When his legs were still healing , if a servant at Hartwell Mansion said anything unpleasant , Estella would immediately defend him him without hesitation . Back then . Estella couldn't bear to see him suffer even the slightest injustice . Now , she had changed . Estella gave him a confused look . " Mr. Bennett is stating the facts . What's the problem ? " Nathaniel was taken aback and immediately couldn't find anything to say . He glared at Estella , his eyes burning with frustration . " I have something to say to you ." Estella knew that if she didn't clarify things with him today , he would continue to pester her . She turned to Jonathan . " I'll talk to him alone . Please wait for me here ." Jonathan gave Nathaniel a cold , lingering glance but didn't speak , silently agreeing . Estella and Jonathan exited the shoe store and stood by the door . " Say what you need to say , " Estella said , her tone somewhat impatient . Nathaniel looked at her , cold and indifferent , and for some reason , a tight , uncomfortable feeling filled his chest . He thought Estella was just throwing a tantrum , that once she calmed down , she would eventually return to his side . He never imagined that Estella was truly planning to leave . But he still couldn't accept this reality . He ruffled his hair and softened his tone . " Estella , during the time you've been gone , I've realized I can't live without you ... " Estella interrupted him . " Mr. Hartwell , don't tell me you suddenly discovered that you love me and can't live without me . Don't say things even you don't believe . You don't care about me . You care about having me as a hardworking , cheap , and obedient maid . " " Estella , do you have to talk to me like this ? In these three years , aside from not being romantic , what have I done wrong to you ? " His bluntness made Estella laugh in anger . She looked at him with the detached gaze she reserved for strangers . " You care about me ? Well , let me ask you some questions , Nathaniel . Do you remember when my birthday is ? What do I like to eat ? What am I allergic to ? Do you know any of these things ? Have you ever cared ? " Faced with Estella's questioning , Nathaniel couldn't speak . It felt as though his heart was being tightly gripped by a large hand , making it hard to breathe . Estella's tone grew colder . " You've never given anything for me , so how can you say you care ? Nathaniel , don't come looking 2/3 P Chapter 20 Stop Looking for Me for me again . I don't want to see you anymore ." Finished She tried to leave , but Nathaniel grabbed her hand . " If you want me to care about you , why didn't you say so ? If you had , I would have tried to care ... " Estella almost instinctively pulled her hand away from him . She took a wet wipe from her bag and carefully wiped her hand , which he had held , clean , then threw the wipe into the nearby trash can . The sight of this stung Nathaniel's eyes . Does Estella really hate and despise me this much ? No , that can't be right . She wasn't like this before . " Does it matter if I said it ? Did you ever care ? You only love yourself , Nathaniel . You and Isabelle make a perfect match . Please , tie the knot , and stop ruining my life , okay ? " " Estella , you've misunderstood . I never thought about marrying Isabelle . Estella , the position of Mrs. Hartwell will always be yours . " Estella felt like it was impossible to communicate with him . " Whether you want to marry Isabelle or not , it's none of my concern . I won't go back to being your wife . I just want to live a peaceful life . I hope you won't bother me again ." Estella wanted to leave . Even speaking one more word to Nathaniel felt disgusting to her . At that moment , Nathaniel's phone rang . Nathaniel answered . It was Isabelle . Her voice sounded helpless . " Nate , I came to visit Madam Madeline , but she's been really cold toward me and even spilled the soup I made . I honestly don't know what to do . " Nathaniel , who would usually feel sorry for Isabelle's tears , now felt irritated . " My mom doesn't want to see you , so don't go . Just head back for now . " Isabelle sensed his impatience . Though she felt uncomfortable , she obediently replied , " I understand . I'll head back now , Nate . " After hanging up with Isabelle , Nathaniel wearily turned to Estella . " Mom's sick . She used to treat you so well . Could you go visit her ? I remember she used to love the fish chowder you made . Could you ... " " No. " Send Gifts