“Absolutely not!” she thought.
Estelle’s cheeks turned bright red.
She lifted her head, her eyes misty as they locked onto Dillon’s. Her voice carried a trace of grievance. “There’s nothing intimate between us. If you really want, we can just—”
Before she could finish, Dillon suddenly let go of her.
He stood up straight and stepped back. “I stepped in to help you, and instead of thanking me, you’re throwing it back in my face? Estelle, who taught you that?”
Estelle gave a cold, soft snort.
She brushed her hair behind her ear and smiled faintly, like none of this mattered.
“I must’ve picked it up from some jerk. What can I do? I had a great teacher right in front of
me.”
“Is she talking about me?” Dillon thought.
He furrowed his brows, a look of deep contemplation flashing in his eyes.
Had he ever really done anything that bad to her?
Just as he was about to ask, she walked away.
Madison had just finished chatting with a potential client when she noticed that Estelle
seemed to be in a disagreement with Dillon.
When she saw that Estelle’s eyes were slightly red, she quickly rushed over, clearly anxious.
“Stella, did that asshole Dillon upset you again?”
“I’m fine,” Estelle replied softly, shaking her head.
But seeing how worried Madison looked, she gave Madison’s hand a reassuring pat.
“I really am okay. Mr. Redmond is coming over soon. We can’t let people see us rattled.”
Still not convinced, Madison kept stealing glances in her direction.
Eventually, Estelle couldn’t take it anymore and pulled her along to meet other guests.
Just as Alison entered the hall, she spotted Estelle talking to someone.
She was about to walk over when she saw Baxter approaching.
Suspicion flickered in her eyes, and she instinctively looked around for Dillon.
Sure enough, he was looking at Estelle too.
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63
Could it be that Baxter was interested in her?
A sly smile crept across Alison’s face when she thought about it.
If Baxter really had his eye on Estelle, maybe this was a perfect opportunity to make
something happen.
2/2
Meanwhile, completely unaware that he was being dragged into someone’s scheme, Baxter walked up to Estelle and extended a friendly hand.
“Ms. Sawford, long time no see.‘
Estelle froze slightly, instinctively wary.
She glanced at the hand he offered but didn’t take it. Instead, she cut straight to the point. Mr. Redmond, is there something you need?”
Baxter’s expression faltered slightly at her coldness. “Ms. Sawford, come on. We’ve known each other since we were young. Isn’t this a little too distant?”
Madison looked back and forth between Estelle and Baxter, clearly on alert.
Baxter gave her a polite smile. “Nice to meet you. I’m Baxter Redmond. Estelle and I practically grew up together–childhood friends, you could say?”
He turned to Estelle, hoping she would back up the claim.
Back then, if Baxter had been this friendly, Estelle would have been thrilled.
But now, her expression stayed cool–almost like she didn’t want to see him at all.
Baxter was a little thrown off. Was he really that bad?
He quickly regrouped, putting on a cheerful smile as he raised a glass of champagne in a toast.
“Estelle, it’s been ages. I heard you’re working on that cancer treatment drug project, right? How about we collaborate?”
His bluntness caught her off guard. Estelle blinked, visibly surprised. “You want to work with me?”
‘Absolutely!” Baxter nodded enthusiastically.
Seeing the skepticism still in her eyes, he immediately pulled out his phone and held up a QR code for her to scan.
11
Chapter 84
