Chapter 34 Shattered Illusions Quinton grinned and pointed to his lips . " Then kiss me . Ten seconds . " Estella stared at him in disbelief , clearly never expecting him to make such an outrageous demand . Isabelle pretended to intervene . " Quinton , isn't that going a bit too far ? " But Quinton laughed . " Didn't Nathaniel divorce Estella ? What , Nathaniel , you don't want to see us kiss ? " Nathaniel looked at Estella . He didn't step in to stop it . He was waiting - waiting for Estella to ask him for help . As long as she did , he'd intervene right away . But Estella had no intention of asking for help . She responded coldly , " I refuse . " Quinton scoffed . " Can't handle it ? Or are you just disgusted by me ? " Seeing that Nathaniel wasn't lifting a finger to help her , Quinton grew bolder . " It's just a kiss . Don't be so stingy . " As he finished , he suddenly grabbed the back of Estella's head , trying to force the kiss on her . Finished The stench of alcohol hit her hard . Seeing Nathaniel doing nothing , Estella was so furious she grabbed a wine bottle and smashed it over Quinton's head . The bottle shattered . Blood splattered from the gash on Quinton's forehead . Enraged and humiliated , he raised his hand to strike her . " You crazy bitch ! You hit me with a bottle ?! " But before his hand could fall , someone caught it . Quinton turned , ready to curse , but when he saw who it was , his words caught in his throat . It was Jonathan - Javerton's most renowned attorney . The Clocke family had recently run into legal trouble , and even after throwing around a fortune , Quinton's father had failed to get Jonathan to take their case . It was only through powerful connections that Jonathan finally agreed . Since the lawsuit hadn't been resolved yet , Quinton didn't dare offend him . Now , seeing Jonathan stand up for Estella , he instantly guessed that Jonathan must like her and quickly changed his tune . " Misunderstanding , it's all just a misunderstanding ! " Jonathan sneered . " I didn't realize Mr. Quinton had a habit of hitting women . Looks like I'll need to have a chat with your father about your upbringing . " Quinton wilted , lowering his head and saying nothing . The Clocke family's future still depended on Jonathan . No matter how humiliated he felt , he didn't dare say a word . Jonathan pulled a check from his sleeve , scribbled a number , and tossed it at Quinton . For your medical bills . On Estella's behalf . " " N - No , I couldn't ... " 1/3 Chapter 34 Ghattered Illusions Quinton didn't dare take the money . Ignoring him , Jonathan took off his jacket , draped it over Estella's shoulders , and took her hand to leave . But Nathaniel stepped in with a stormy expression , blocking their path . " Where do you think you're taking Estella ? " Jonathan met his gaze head - on . Sparks flew instantly . " And what business is it of yours , Mr. Nathaniel ? " " I'm her ex - husband ! Of course I have a say ! " Nathaniel growled . finished Jonathan chuckled . " Oh , you remember that you're the ex ? Legally , you two have nothing to do with each other . Are you sure you're qualified to interfere with Estella's freedom ? " Nathaniel turned to Estella , fuming . " You're really going to leave with him ? Estella , do you have any shame ? Didn't you love me ? Why are you getting involved with someone else ? " Estella didn't hesitate - she slapped him across the face . She had held back long enough . No more . " You hit me ?! " Nathaniel's eyes turned bloodshot. " Estella , have I spoiled you too much ?! " " And how exactly have you spoiled me ? When I was being harassed by Quinton just now , what did you do ? You just stood there and watched . " Her words cut into him like a blade . Nathaniel tried to explain . " No , that's not what happened , I just ... " Estella interrupted . " Nathaniel , you keep saying I still love you . But I honestly don't understand - what is there to love about someone like you ? You're disloyal , abusive , and you didn't even lift a finger to protect me . Why would I ever love a man like that ? " Nathaniel was left speechless . Estella didn't want to get entangled with him anymore . She grabbed Jonathan's hand and left the room . Isabelle watched Nathaniel with a concerned look . " Nathaniel , stop being sad over Estella . She's not the same person anymore . She's not worth your devotion . " Nathaniel clenched his fists . He didn't believe Estella didn't love him anymore . She must be using Jonathan to provoke him . This was all just a tactic - playing hard to get . He wasn't going to give up on Estella . After such a mess , Estella had no interest in finishing dinner . She went to the front desk to pay , only to find Jonathan had already taken care of it . She turned to him . " I thought I was treating you . Why did you- " Jonathan smiled lightly . " Then treat me next time . " 212 Chapter 34 Shattered Illusions Estella agreed and left the restaurant with him . She rode back in Jonathan's car . Finished As they drove . Jonathan asked , " Now that you've earned a place in the Symphony Band , I assume you'll be resigning from your job soon ? " Send Gifts 546