Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)

Chapter 15

His voice was soft and lazy, with a touch of warmth. It felt like the sunshine on a spring afternoon, not

too cold, not too intense, and just the right kind of comfortable.

Estelle turned around, looking at this unfamiliar man with confusion.

The man took two steps forward, gazing at Estelle with fox-like eyes that seemed to sparkle, “Even if

you don’t give your heart to me, at least having a meal together is basic courtesy, right?”

After saying that, he stretched out his right hand, “Nice to meet you, I’m Manley!”

Estelle looked at his slender palm but didn’t shake it. She just turned around and continued walking.

Manley paused, caught up to her quickly, “Yo, didn’t you understand what I said?”

Estelle stopped, giving him an indifferent look, “I got it. I don’t need you to treat me to a meal. I could

have dealt with that situation myself without your help just now. We’re just strangers who crossed

paths. There’s no need to get acquainted. Let’s end it here. I have to go to class!”

With that, Estelle spun around and walked away without looking back.

Manley stood there, watching the girl’s retreating figure, stunned for a long time.

He was actually rejected by a girl?!

Even if she didn’t know him or his background with the Scott family, his mere appearance alone was

usually enough to swoon any girl. Where did she get the nerve to reject him?

Manley snorted, and refused to believe that.

The next day on Tuesday afternoon. Estelle only had one class. As she was leaving the school gate,

she saw a group of girls gathered together discussing something. She walked towards the bus stop

and heard a girl next to her excitedly shout, “Is it really Manley?”

“Yes, I’ve seen him in a photo with Honey V. It must be him,” replied the other girl.

Estelle subconsciously glanced towards the crowd of people and paused in her footsteps.

Right in front of the school gate was a parked Rolls-Royce Phantom convertible, with the back seat

filled with vibrant red roses, drawing everyone’s attention. Even more attention was drawn to the man

sitting in the car: white shirt, tailored vest, gold-rimmed glasses, and his exquisitely handsome facial

features. He looked like a prince stepping out of a comic book.

Manley had become increasingly famous in J City over the past two years. The Scott family was

already a renowned wealthy family in J City, and Manley was the sole heir of the Scott family. However,

his fame was not due to his successful business ventures, but rather his never-ending scandals with

female celebrities.

Handsome, playboy, extravagant spender, and yet possessing business acumen, these were the labels

bestowed upon him by the people of J City.

At this moment, the prince from the comic book stepped out of the car, his long legs striding forward.

He held a red rose in his hand as he walked towards Estelle.

A chorus of screams erupted from the group of girls, and all eyes focused on Estelle, filled with

jealousy or admiration.

On the opposite side of the road, there was a Bentley parked there. Millard looked outside the car

window and said, “Isn’t that Ms. Macclain?”

Jonathan, sitting in the backseat, was engrossed in reading a document. He didn’t immediately realize

who “Ms. Macclain” referred to in Millard’s words. He absentmindedly raised his head and saw Estelle,

causing his gaze to deepen as it fell upon her surprised face.

The driver who was supposed to pick up Norah after school had an unexpected matter to attend to

Jonathan and Millard happened to be passing by the University of J City and decided to pick her up.

The car was parked here, waiting for Norah to come out. They hadn’t expected to witness someone

confessing their feelings to

Estelle.

Millard explained, “Manley is Vicente Scott’s son. He grew up abroad and coincidentally returned when

you went abroad. In recent years, he has joined the family’s Scott Group and made quite a name for

himself. By the way, Manley is the one competing with us for the land near Golden Bridge.”

Jonathan nodded without emotion, his eyes following Manley as he approached Estelle.

Estelle was, indeed, a little surprised. It wasn’t strange for Manley to know she was a student at the

University of J City, but the fact that he had come prepared and was waiting here today indicated that

he already knew which class she belonged to. What was he up to?

She couldn’t believe that a person like him would fall for her after just one encounter.

As Manley approached, Estelle maintained a calm expression, her clear eyes showing no delight nor

deliberate indifference, but a hint of alertness deep within.

Manley stopped in front of her, the surrounding sounds consisting of gasps and sighs.

His fox-like eyes curved, the depths filled with rippling emotion as he stared intently at Estelle, speaking

in a low voice, “You may not believe it, but I truly fell for you at first sight. You didn’t want me to treat

you to a meal yesterday, so how about giving me a chance today and letting me treat you to a meal?”

Estelle heard someone in the crowd of girls whisper, “My heart skips a beat, someone call an

ambulance

Estelle looked at the rose Manley held up to her face, and gently shook her head, “I’m sorry, but I have

other plans.”

Manley seemed a bit surprised but smiled warmly, “It’s just a meal. It doesn’t represent anything

specific. Think of it as a consolation for me not being able to sleep all night because of you.”

Another round of screams emerged from the girls.

With his looks, wealth, and heartfelt words, it was like a scene from a television drama. The girls

watching were instantly filled with adrenaline, more excited than the protagonist.

Noticing people taking photos, Estelle felt agitated, maintaining a stoic face but a more determined

attitude, “I’m really sorry.”

As she started to walk away, Manley stepped in front of her, his eyes cool and a hook-like smile on his

lips, lowering his voice, “Don’t be like that. There are so many people watching. Give me a break. Have

dinner with me, and I’ll drive you home afterward.”

Still unwilling to continue this charade, Estelle rejected him again and kept walking.

Manley frowned and instinctively reached out to grab her arm.

Estelle immediately took a step back, looking at Manley with a sudden sharpness in her eyes.

Manley hesitated, seeing that Estelle’s gaze was filled with caution and irritation. She wasn’t just

playing hard to get; she was genuinely fed up.

His lips tightened, and he took a step back, “Fine, if you won’t have dinner, at least take these.”

He gestured to the car full of roses behind him.

Estelle’s attitude was cold, “I don’t want them!”

“So you want us to keep fussing here for everyone to enjoy the show?” Manley’s eyes hid a hint of

mischief as he chuckled.

He figured it out; Estelle didn’t like to be watched by others.

14:44

Estelle took a deep breath, “Do I really have to accept it?”

Manley’s gaze was fervent and persistent. He teased, “Yep, you ain’t leaving until you take it!”

In the Bentley, Millard frowned and said, “Manley seems to be giving Ms. Macclain a hard time.”

Jonathan noticed it too. A dark shadow flashed in his eyes as he placed his hand on the car door, just

about to get out when he saw Estelle suddenly turn and walk toward Manley’s sports car.

He didn’t move any further, curious to see what she would do.

Manley was also watching Estelle with amusement in his eyes. With all those flowers, Estelle couldn’t

possibly take them all herself. In the end, she would have to get in his car and go with him.

After all, she was still a young girl who hadn’t entered society yet, always carrying herself with a bit of

reserve and pride. Well, he would give her a way out.

As long as she got in his car, they could discuss having dinner together. After dinner, heading to a hotel

would seem natural.

In psychology, it’s called Foot-in-the-Door technique. Têxt © NôvelDrama.Org.

He told Lucille he’d seal the deal in three days, but it seemed he wouldn’t even need that long!