Female Novel
Chapter 1856
"Enough!" Elizabeth's voice was stern with disapproval. "What kind of spectacle is this? Isn't it enough
to make a fool of ourselves at home without taking the show on the road?"
Simone tried to soothe Natalia, "Sis, cool down a bit, will ya?"
But Natalia, usually so composed, let out a cold laugh, "It's clearly your daughter Estelle who's caused
all this trouble, and yet here you are, acting like you're above it all. Sabina's right, you know. You need
to rein in that girl of yours and find her a husband to take her off our hands before she shames the
Macclain name any further!"
Simone was taken aback by the scolding. She had intended to align with the senior branch of the
family, but Natalia had lashed out without consideration.
Yes, this was all because of Estelle!
Simone's resentment towards Estelle grew unconsciously stronger.
Leonie sipped her tea, her tone nonchalant yet sharp, "A Macclain riding on the coattails of someone's
KING status to raise their own profile, and now accusing that very person of disgracing the family?
That's like biting the hand that feeds you!"
"You—" Natalia glared at Leonie.
Leonie's words were crude, causing everyone's face to change, yet no one could refute her.
Having said her piece, Leonie contentedly picked at her dessert, looking even more pleased thannovelbin
before.
The others were left in an awkward silence, none daring to speak further.
Estelle and Jonathan parted ways in the banquet hall; she went to find Magdalen, while Jonathan's
phone wouldn't stop ringing.
As they separated, Jonathan reminded her, "Don't drink too much. As a Langston, no one will force you
to drink. Just stick with Magdalen and play along. If anything comes up, give me a call."
"I know," Estelle chuckled lightly. "Don't worry about me!"
Jonathan then planted a kiss on her cheek and reluctantly said, "Off you go, then. We'll head home
together after the party winds down."
"Sure," Estelle replied with a suppressed smile, turning to leave.
Jonathan returned to the lounge where Charlie and Carson Foster were among those chatting. They all
stood to greet him as he entered.
Jonathan settled into a central sofa, "Has the party not started yet?"
Charlie grinned, "What's the rush? It's not like we're here to prank the groom. What's the fun in just
drinking?"
Jonathan smiled faintly, "Why not prank?"
Carson chimed in, "Everyone's scared of Ms. Sampson throwing a fit!"
Laughter filled the room, even Jonathan's usually cool expression softened with a smile.
Charlie eyed Jonathan, his eyebrows raised inquisitively, "Feeling better? Spill it, how did you get
cheered up?"
Jonathan's handsome face remained impassive as he replied calmly, "I'm not that petty."
"Right," Charlie nodded, his tone serious. "Seeing Estelle as someone else's bridesmaid almost had
you crashing the wedding, not petty at all!"
Jonathan frowned, "Would you mind going to check on the kids or something?"
Charlie burst into laughter, picking up his phone, "I was actually worried you'd fall for Manley's tricks
and misunderstand Estelle, so I had someone pull the surveillance footage from the third floor. Looks
like someone doesn't need it anymore!"
Jonathan's eyes flickered with interest, "You actually checked the surveillance?"
"Yeah!" Charlie nodded. "I watched it myself first. Hearing what Estelle said, man, it was moving!"
Jonathan's face, usually relaxed with an easy smile, shifted slightly, "What did she say?"
"It's what she told Manley," Charlie sighed dramatically. "Man, it was touching!"
Jonathan's heart skipped a beat as he glared at Charlie, "Let me see it!"
Charlie teased, "I thought you didn't want to see?"
Jonathan snatched the phone from Charlie's hand. The first image that appeared was of the serene
and elegant attic, with Manley and Estelle locked in an embrace.