Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
Chapter 1879

Seeing Terrence choked on his words, Simone couldn't help but jump in to defend, "You see, Mr. Jarvis, you may not be aware, but we've sunk a lot of cash and effort into the project in B City. It was all set to go until Estelle stirred up trouble. We got caught in the crossfire because the Crawleys hold the cards in B City. We're outsiders, after all; you can't arm wrestle with the hand that feeds you."

Frowning subconsciously, Bennett tugged at Simone's sleeve and signaled her to dial it back.

Mr. Jarvis looked up at Simone with a formidable calm. "You think it was Estelle's fault?"

Without thinking, Simone blurted out, "Of course, it was her fault!"

Terrence sensed something amiss when Mr. Jarvis mentioned Estelle. He turned back and sternly rebuked Simone, "This isn't your place to speak!"

Simone's face turned sour and she fell silent in embarrassment.

Mr. Jarvis's expression cooled. "You're Estelle's mother. When she's being bullied by the Crawleys, you blame her instead of feeling for her?"

His voice carried a heavy disappointment, "It seems you really have no affection for Estelle."

Simone kept her head down. Though she felt rebellious inside, she dared not speak further; all she could do was pretending to take the lesson to heart.

But there was something about Mr. Jarvis's words that just didn't sit right!

The more Mr. Jarvis thought about it, the angrier he became. "I can see now why the Macclains have fallen to such lows. You guys are no more than a bunch of fools with shortsighted views, not a single one worth their salt! If Kenneth Macclain knew his descendants were such a sorry lot who were scraping by, he'd turn in his grave!"

The three Macclains were too mortified to retort, though their faces were flushing red and then pale.

Terrence's face turned beet red with embarrassment and confusion. Mr. Jarvis had been distant before, but not as icy as he was now.

Mr. Jarvis took a sip of his tea to quell his anger before he said coldly, "I can't help you with B City. Look elsewhere for assistance!"

His intention of meeting the Macclain family today was to discern their motives, and to to warn them that Estelle was his granddaughter. Now, seeing the Macclains' self-serving ways, he felt that his triumphant mood had soured. He waved them off dismissively, "Take your things and leave at once!"

Startled, Terrence stammered, "Mr. Jarvis, I-"

"Out!" Mr. Jarvis wouldn't stand for another word against Estelle. No longer wishing to see the Macclains' faces, he called for the servant to show them out with a stern voice.

The servant, carrying the gift they had brought, also seemed cool, "Mr. Jarvis is tired. Please leave now."

Terrence, full of disappointment, knew he had angered Mr. Jarvis beyond reconciliation. He managed to maintain his composure to bid Mr. Jarvis farewell, and left.

Only once outside the Quintin mansion did Terrence let his grim expression show. He had waited almost a full day for naught!

He couldn't help but unleash his frustration on Simone, "Since when did you become so daft? Under those circumstances, how could you speak ill of Estelle? Did you leave your brains at home?" Simone's face turned a mix of red and white as she retorted, "I only spoke the truth!"

"Did I ask you to tell Mr. Jarvis the truth?" Terrence was livid. "Now we've been thrown out on our ears. Are you happy now?"

Simone's eyes flickered, "Even if we hadn't mentioned Estelle, Mr. Jarvis might not have agreed to help us. Didn't you understand his words, Dad? Estelle must have badmouthed us to him; that's why he's taken such a dislike to the Macclains."

Terrence's voice was filled with suppressed anger, "Our estrangement from Estelle is only deepening!" Simone scoffed, "I think even begging the Crawleys would be easier than asking Estelle for help!" Bennett tried to smooth things over, "Alright, let's drop it, shall we?"

Terrence shot Simone a cold glance before turning and walking towards the Macclain family's car.