Chapter 23 Keep Your Mouth Shut Isaac flashed a bright smile . " Alright , I understand . I'll come by your office to discuss it in more detail . He had a difficult case , one that required Jonathan's personal involvement to win . Unfortunately , Jonathan was notoriously hard to book , so now that Isaac had the opportunity to meet him , he naturally . wanted to ingratiate himself . Upon observing Isaac's attempts to flatter Jonathan , Naomi felt a growing sense of displeasure . However , she didn't dare say anything further to Jonathan or Estella . Swallowing her frustration , she quietly left . According to Isabelle , the eldest son of the Kingston Bennett family would be attending tonight . She wondered if the unmarried second son would show up as well . If he did , she was determined to make a lasting impression on him . If she could marry into the Bennett family in Kingston , she'd certainly become the center of attention in Javerton's high society . Once Isaac was dealt with , Jonathan turned his attention to Estella . " Are you getting bored ? " Estella smiled lightly . " Not at all ." She hadn't realized just how highly regarded Jonathan was in Javerton . Even Isabelle's brother had to play up to him . " Are you hungry ? Let me get you something to eat . " Jonathan brought her a small cake . Estella accepted it without hesitation and began eating slowly with a spoon . When Jonathan noticed a bit of cake on her face , he took a napkin and gently wiped it away . His proximity made Estella's heart flutter , a soft blush creeping across her face . This moment didn't escape Nathaniel , who had just entered the banquet hall . He hadn't expected Estella to be here tonight , nor had he anticipated seeing her so close to another man . Isabelle , linking her arm with his , sensed his growing displeasure . Following his gaze , she spotted Estella . She smiled faintly and casually remarked , " Nate , I didn't know Estella had found a boyfriend so quickly after leaving you . I overheard Isaac saying the man is Mr. Bennett . He is famous for avoiding women and rejecting marriage . I never thought Estella could win him over . By the way , that dress she's wearing must be expensive . Looks like she really has Mr. Bennett's favor ! " Nathaniel's brow furrowed at her words . " Avoiding women and rejecting marriage ? Does that mean he's just playing around ? " In elite circles , many people claimed to avoid marriage while indulging in casual relationships . Nathaniel couldn't help but curse Estella for being so naive . Rather than becoming Mrs. Hartwell , she's content being another man's plaything . But tonight , Estella truly looked stunning . He had never seen her dressed so elegantly . He almost hadn't recognized her earlier . At that moment , several men at the banquet were covertly eyeing Estella . As a man himself , Nathaniel recognized those looks all too well . His anger flared . Estella is mine . She belongs at home . What is she doing in a place like this , making a fool of herself ? 1/2 PP . Chapter 23 Keep Your Mouth Shut G D Finished When he saw Jonathan leaving to fetch Estella a drink , Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore . He stormed toward her , ready to give this thoughtless woman a piece of his mind . Estella didn't expect Nathaniel to approach her . She really didn't want to deal with him , so she turned to avoid him . But Nathaniel wouldn't let her go . " Estella , do you have no shame ? " Estella looked at him , bewildered by his angry expression . " What do you mean by that ? " Nathaniel glared at her dress and scolded , " It's disgraceful . " Estella glanced down at her dress . It wasn't revealing . There was no cleavage , no exposed waist , just a hint of collarbone . How is that disgraceful ? He should take a look at Isabelle , her dress is practically falling off her chest . She found this man completely irrational . " I don't think there's anything wrong with my outfit . Mr. Hartwell , you and I have no relationship anymore . If you don't like it , then keep it to yourself ! " Nathaniel's displeasure deepened at her coldness . " I'm doing this for your own good , and how dare you speak to me like that ? Do you really think Mr. Bennett is a good man ? He's only playing with you . You idiot ! He'll sleep with you and leave you with nothing , while you strut around , thinking you're special . " Slap ! Estella slapped him across the face without hesitation . Nathaniel was shocked . He never thought she would actually hit him . " Estella , how dare you slap me ? " Nathaniel's face turned crimson with rage . Is she still the gentle Estella I once knew ? How did she become this angry , bitter woman ? " Speak again and I'll slap you again ! " Isabelle , standing by , spoke up in Nathaniel's defense . " Estella , how could you do this ? Nate is only trying to help you . How can you hit him ? " Estelia shot back coldly , " Say one more word , and I'll slap you too ! " Isabelle recoiled , instinctively stepping behind Nathaniel . She realized Estella was no longer the same woman . The Estella who would quietly endure had vanished . Now , she wasn't afraid to slap Nathaniel , Perhaps it was for the best . Now that Nathaniel saw her true nature , he would surely cast her aside . Jonathan approached , standing protectively behind Estella . He addressed Nathaniel with authority . " Mr. Hartwell , are you living in the Dark Ages ? If you can't respect a woman's attire , then at least learn to keep your mouth shut . "