Chapter 3

Louisa's arrival instantly dampened the atmosphere. Yet, as if oblivious to the cold reception, she casually sat across from Estelle and glanced smilingly at the gifts in everyone's hands. "Tinselree, huh? That's a well-known brand. But it seems none of you realize that I'm the founder." Louisa was the founder of Tinselree? Doubt flickered in everyone's minds. Her family had been bankrupted by Ruben years ago and was left with no footing in the country. How could she have possibly created such a luxury brand? "Back then, my family did go through some hardships. But later, I met my husband. He invested billions and pulled countless strings to help me start my company two years ago. And not just one—he opened 26 stores for me." As Louisa spoke, her gaze briefly, almost deliberately, flickered toward Ruben. It was all before she flashed a smug, taunting smile at Estelle. Estelle's breath hitched. She suddenly recalled that Ruben had been incredibly overwhelmed with work two years prior. He had told her he was expanding the company's overseas market, which was why he had so much on his plate. But now she realized he had been busy setting up businesses for Louisa. A searing pain shot through her chest, and Estelle clutched her heart before she could stop herself. "What's wrong, love? Are you feeling unwell?" Ruben immediately stood up in alarm. "I'll call the doctor." Louisa let out a cold laugh. "Estelle, Mr. Daye has practically been treating you like a delicate flower, yet you still look like you're on the verge of death." The words had barely left her mouth when Ruben's expression darkened. He slapped her hard across the face without hesitation. "Shut up and get out, or I'll make sure you never speak again." Louisa covered her cheek. She let out a low scoff and stormed out of the private room while seething. The atmosphere quickly returned to its previous liveliness after Louisa left, but Estelle remained pale. Ruben was worried as he clasped her hands tightly. "Love, what's wrong? The doctor will be here soon." Estelle pushed his hands away. "I'm fine. I just need to use the restroom. Don't follow me." As soon as she stepped into the hallway, Louisa blocked her path. Louisa sneered. "Don't think that just because Ruben hit me for you means you're that important to him. I gave birth to his twins, so his heart is already shifting toward me. If I say my children have a fever, do you believe he'll come running straight to me?" When Estelle returned to the private room, Ruben's expression was visibly anxious. He walked over and kissed her forehead. "Love, I have an urgent matter at the company. I've spoken to the manager, and everything will be on my tab. Stay and enjoy yourself with your friends." Estelle tightly gripped his sleeve. "Didn't you say you'd stay with me today? Please, stay." Gazing into her eyes, which held both a plea and strange calmness, Ruben felt a prickle of anxiety. He couldn't shake the feeling that leaving at that moment would cost him something precious. Even so, Louisa said the twins were sick. They were his flesh and blood, so he had to see them. In the end, he gently pried her fingers off, one by one. "Love, I promise I'll be back tonight, okay?" Estelle took a deep breath. So it was true that his heart had already shifted. Half an hour later, Louisa sent her a video. Even though she already knew what she was about to see, Estelle's hands trembled as she tapped to open it. In the video, Louisa was crying pitifully as she said, "I feel like I can't breathe when I'm not with you for even a second. I missed you so much that I couldn't help but come to the reunion. "But seeing you and Estelle being so affectionate, I was going crazy with jealousy. That's the only reason I said those things… and you even hit me for it." Ruben smiled faintly, clearly appeased by her words. He took a warm towel and gently pressed it to her swollen cheek. "Alright, stop crying, or you'll look like a little kitten. You can ask for anything as compensation." "Then… our children's birthday is coming up. I want the island you just bought as a gift for them." Ruben frowned. "No. That island is for my baby with Estelle." "Please, Rube? I had a fortune teller check out the location, and that island is perfectly aligned with our children's birth charts. It will bring them great luck! You promised to make it up to me!" This time, he agreed. Louisa turned to the camera with a taunting smile and sent another voice message. "See? Even if he promises something to you, he'll still give it to me as long as I ask. You lost." Estelle sat motionless while gripping her phone in a daze. She thought back to the past when she had gotten injured at one of her part-time jobs, Ruben had also helped her ease the pain in the same way. So, he was now doing the things he once did for her for another woman. At that moment, she felt utterly drained. But as long as she left Ruben, everything would be okay. Tomorrow, she would finally be free.