Chapter 24 Our Relationship Finished A surge of inexplicable fury welled up in Nathaniel's chest as he saw Jonathan and Estella standing intimately close . Clenching his jaw , he demanded , " Do you have any idea what my relationship with Estella is ? " He refused to believe that Jonathan could accept Estella so easily if he knew she was his ex - wife . No man would want another's discarded woman Jonathan's voice was indifferent . " Mr. Hartwell , don't flatter yourself . You're not even worth my attention . " With that , he took Estella's hand and said gently , " Estella , shall we dance ? " Estella readily agreed . " Sure ." She had no desire to stay and be disgusted by Nathaniel and Isabelle . Jonathan was tall and striking , Estella elegant and radiant . As they glided across the dance floor , they made a stunning pair . Guests murmured in admiration , praising them as a perfect match . Nathaniel's eyes burned with rage . Estella is my woman . How dare she dance with another man ? Upon noticing his intense focus on Estella , Isabelle felt a surge of irritation . She tugged at Nathaniel's sleeve and whispered , " Nate , let's dance too . " Determined to provoke Estella , Nathaniel took Isabelle's hand and led her to the center of the ballroom . To further incite her , he deliberately leaned closer to Isabelle , feigning intimacy . Yet , to his growing frustration , Estella didn't even glance his way . She truly didn't care about him anymore . The realization struck Nathaniel like a sledgehammer , sending sharp waves of pain coursing through his chest . His lips pressed into a firm line , and his expression darkened . The dance ended swiftly . Jonathan escorted Estella to the side to rest . Nathaniel was about to approach Estella when Isabelle suddenly tugged at his sleeve , pointing toward the entrance . The president of Bennett Group , Jeremy , had just arrived , accompanied by world - renowned pianist Chase . Their entrance immediately commanded the room's attention . Isabelle's brother and several influential executives quickly gathered around them . Nathaniel knew that business took precedence and reluctantly abandoned his pursuit of Estella , striding over to engage Jeremy in conversation . Yet Jeremy remained coolly indifferent to everyone , treating them all with the same detached courtesy . Nathaniel met with a wall of coldness but refused to back down . Meanwhile , Isabelle had set her sights on Chase . With a bright smile , she said , " Mr. Chase , I've long admired your work . I'm Isabelle Monroe . I understand you've returned to recruit new talent for your orchestra . I wonder if I might have the honor of joining ? " She assumed that , as the daughter of the prestigious Monroe family , Chase would at least show her some favor . Yet Chase maintained a strictly professional demeanor . " Our orchestra recruits members through a formal and impartial competition . Ms. Isabelle , you're welcome to apply . " 1/2 P Chapter 24 Our Relationship Finished Isabelle hadn't expected Chase to show such blatant disregard for the Monroe family's influence , and resentment flared in her chest . However , given his international standing and her own aspirations of using his reputation to boost her own , she swallowed her frustration . Estella noticed Chase too . He had always been her idol , and now , seeing him in person , excitement surged through her . Yet with so many people crowding around him , she refrained from approaching and simply admired him from afar . Jonathan had long known of Estella's admiration for Chase . One of his reasons for bringing her to the banquet was to help her establish a connection . If she could join Chase's orchestra , her future would be far brighter than if she remained at Serenade Music Hub . " Let's go greet Mr. Jeremy and Mr. Chase , " he suggested . " Can we ? " Estella asked nervously . Jonathan gave her hand a reassuring squeeze . " Of course . " They approached the two men . Jonathan greeted them with polite respect . " Mr. Jeremy , Mr. Chase , it's an honor to finally meet you ." Jeremy played along . " Mr. Bennett , the honor is mine . " The two brothers exchanged a knowing glance and clinked glasses in tacit understanding . Chase had a longstanding friendship with their father , Hudson Bennett , and was naturally familiar with the Bennett brothers . However , seeing them pretend to be mere acquaintances , he chose not to call them out on it . Jonathan introduced Estella . " Mr. Chase , this is my friend , Estella Hayes . She's also a pianist . If you could offer her some guidance . I'm sure she'd greatly appreciate it ." Jeremy cast Estella a glance , raising an eyebrow . So this is the woman Jon is interested in ? Chase found the name " Estella Hayes " oddly familiar . He sifted through his memory and suddenly recalled that his friend Dallas had recommended her to him years ago . He had even watched recordings of her performances . Estella was exceptionally gifted . It was a shame she had married immediately after graduation . Otherwise , he would have gladly welcomed her into his orchestra . Now intrigued , Chase turned to her with genuine interest and offered a warm smile . " I've heard of you , Ms. Hayes . If you're interested , you're welcome to participate in our upcoming recruitment competition . If you qualify , we'll have plenty of opportunities to collaborate in the future . "