Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
Chapter 1873

Geoff asked, with a hint of concern in his voice, "Isn't it getting a bit late?"

Jonathan smiled nonchalantly, "Not at all, just a few months' delay."

Catherine, who looked visibly anxious, interjected, "But that means we had to wait for several more months. Winter in J-Town is also pretty scenic!"

She was looking forward to having the wedding done before the holidays so Estelle could spend Christmas with the whole family at home!

Old Man Jarvis asked sternly, "Whose idea was this?"

Estelle tried to speak up, but Jonathan gently held her hand and said softly, "It was my idea. The office is swamped around the holidays, and I'm afraid I wouldn't have enough time to plan the wedding properly. I wouldn't want to rush and make Ella feel slighted. After the New Year, both the timing and the season are perfect."

Seeing Old Man Jarvis's expression sour, Estelle, worried he'd blame Jonathan, quickly said, "I agree with Jonathan, it was me who suggested it."

Old Man Jarvis stayed silent, and the mood dipped for a moment until Old Mr. Quintin chuckled, "Oh come on, you old bear; earlier you were complaining about my narrow heart, and now look at you. Estelle's just talking about postponing the wedding for a few months, not canceling it. Lighten up, will you?"

Maggie went over to pour Old Mr. Jarvis a drink, "Grandpa, don't you see what Ella's getting at? She wants to be in C-Town for Christmas to be with you. If she gets married before the holidays, where would you have her stay? She wants to spend Christmas with you, so let's not be hard on her, okay?"

Old Mr.Jarvis huffed, "She's just too headstrong!"

"Yes, she's incredibly headstrong, and it's all because you spoiled her!" Maggie said playfully. "She's never headstrong with anyone else but you!"

Old Mr. Jarvis gave Estelle a sharp look, but his face softened a touch.

Geoffery raised his glass to Old Mr. Jarvis, "No rush, sir. They're already legally hitched, and we've got the wedding in the works. It's just a matter of doing it before or after the New Year." Old Man Jarvis relented, "Fine, let's have it after the New Year!"

"With me and the missus keeping an eye on it, you've got nothing to worry about!"

Estelle kept quiet, watching her grandfather and Geoffery share a drink. She leaned toward Jonathan and whispered, "Why does it sound like it's our family pushing for the wedding?" Jonathan couldn't help but smile; his lips were barely parting as he whispered back, "It just shows that Grandpa knows that I am sincere, so that he 'pushed' us without misgiving." Estelle raised an eyebrow, giving him a soft glance.

With the wedding settled for after the New Year, the topic was dropped, and the conversation drifted to other subjects; then the atmosphere gradually regained its earlier ease. Estelle breathed a sigh of relief. That hurdle was finally cleared!

In two months, she didn't even know if she'd still be in J-Town. She didn't want to get everyone's hopes up for nothing!

Outside in the yard, Bennett and Simone had arrived and saw Terrence standing by the Quintin family's front gate. They got out of the car and approached him quickly.

"Dad, why are you standing out here?" Bennett asked in surprise.

"There's been a flood of visitors, and Old Mr. Quintin has refused to see anyone. Where else could I wait?" Terrence had been there all morning and looked a bit worse for wear. "For the B-City project, only Old Mr. Jarvis has any sway. As long as I can see him, it's not a wasted wait."

The morning had seen a steady stream of visitors, and even though many were turned away, a few lingered in hope. By now, the crowd had thinned, and Terrence felt that his chance might be increasing. Bennett and Simone exchanged a look before Bennett said, "Dad, what do you mean by calling us here?"

Terrence sat down on a wooden bench outside the fence, and said in a tone laden with meaning, "I saw Estelle go inside."

Bennett and Simone were both taken aback.