Find Me In Your Labyrinth

It was 7 pm on a Wednesday night, and Estelle Macclain showed up on time at the Sapphire Hotel.

Her phone beeped, Estelle clicked opened her Whatsapp, there was a message from Bennett Macclain "Estelle, thanks for agreeing to help Dad. I'm stuck in a bit of traffic, you just go straight in first"

Estelle slowed down her pace, wondering how to greet Jonathan Lamont when she saw him later

They'd been married for three years, but they had never met in person. It was clear that Jonathan didn't agree and even hated this marriage

Can't blame Jonathan, though. The Macclain's family business was in crisis when they knocked on the Lamont family's door, asking them to fulfill their original marriage agreement. The Lamont family's eldest son was already married, so the marriage fell on the younger son, Jonathan. It made sense that he was unwilling to do this.

Naturally, the Lamont family wouldn't be that easily to be manipulated. They gave out three hundred million as dowry to help the Macclain family go through the crisis, but only on the condition that the marriage would be dissolved automatically in three years.

Three years ago, she wasn't yet of legal marriage age in Country C. The two went to V City to get their certificate. To be precise, neither of them showed up. Each party sent people with their documents to handle the paperwork.

As soon as they got married, Jonathan went to M Country and had stayed there until now. Just three months before the dissolution of their marriage. His intention was pretty obvious.

Unfortunately, today, her father needed to bring her to ask for his help again for their business.

Estelle scoffed and raised the corner of her lips. How was she going to introduce herself later? "Mr. Lamont, hello, I'm your wife!"

Should he show her the respect that she deserves?

Rumor had it that before Jonathan went to M Country, he was a notorious bully in J City, ruling J City with an iron fist, and he was ruthless and decisive in his actions.

But a few days ago, she saw Jonathan on a TV finance channel. He didn't look like what she had imagined. He was in an expensive business suit, although he looked proud, his demeanor was elegant and steady.

She hoped today he would show the same grace and poise as he did on TV, sparing her from embarrassment.

The entire Sapphire Hotel was luxuriously decorated with a classic elegance. It felt like a mansion. Estelle went to the Pearl Place's third floor according to the room number Bennett gave her.

The third floor was all suites with carpeted wooden floors and dim lighting, incredibly quiet.

Outside of the suite, Estelle inconspicuously took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

The door was slightly ajar, and as she touched it, the golden door opened a crack automatically. Estelle was

taken aback.

Was Jonathan waiting for her?

Out of politeness, she knocked on the door again.

There was no answer.

Estelle raised an eyebrow and walked a few steps inside. She discovered that only the entrance hall had a dim light. The inside was pitch dark.

Anybody in here?

The suite was large with a living room in the middle and a leisure room and bedroom on both sides.

She had entered the living room when an uneasy feeling emerged. She was about to turn back when she suddenly heard the sound of water and a low, painful voice coming from the bedroom "Come in

Estelle's instinct told her that she should leave without hesitation, but she stood in the dark for three seconds before heading towards the bedroom

"Is it Mr. Lamont? What happened to you?" Estelle pushed open the bedroom door and asked softly.

Suddenly, a hand reached out and pulled her directly into the bathroom. The man had one hand against the wall and use another hand choke her neck. His voice, suppressed with pain but still cold and furious, said, "You dare to drug me? Are you out of your mind?"

The living room still had some light from the windows, but the bathroom was pitch dark.

Estelle endured and didn't fight back. Her throat was constricted, her voice hoarse and calm, "Not me

"Then who are you?"

The man seemed to have been soaked in cold water for a long time, his body icy, but his breath scorching Estelle was somewhat stunned in the exchange of cold and heat.

In the darkness, they stared at each other silently. The man's breathing grew heavier with each breath, as if he had reached his limit. The hand choking her throat suddenly put around her neck, and he kissed her hard.

His lips were ice-cold and overbearing!

Estelle's eyes widened in shock as she stretched her leg against the man's body with all her strength.

The man's strength and speed were no less than hers. His long leg pressed against her knees as he hoarsely, said, "Help me, and whatever you need, I'll compensate you later!"

Estelle took a deep breath quietly, never had she ever imagined that she would encounter a situation where Jonathan had been drugged.

In the darkness, the man's breath enveloped all her senses. She weighed the options of helping him or leaving. him to find some other women when his all-encompassing kisses landed.

Estelle had forgotten how they got from the bathroom to the bedroom. While she was still hesitating whether to resist or to surrender, the man had already pulled her into the erotic abyss before she could say no.

It was not like she hadn't thought about this., But it was in no way under such circumstances.

The short time tangling with him in bed felt like an eternity compared to their three years of marriage.

After it was over, someone happened to enter the suite, approaching the bedroom, "Mr. Lamont?"

"Don't come in here!" The man's voice was deep, carrying a hint of S**y laziness after being satisfied.

The footsteps outside stopped abruptly.

A moment later, Jonathan got up, put on a bathrobe, didn't even look at the woman on the bed, and walked out. Estelle pulled the quilt up to her neck, noticing a beam of light shining through the ajar door from the illuminated outside.

Jonathan went to the living room, leaned on the couch, his handsome face expressionless, his eyes showing at touch of laziness.

The assistant approached, asking, "Mr. Lamont, are you alright?"

Jonathan had suddenly left the party earlier and didn't allow anyone to follow him. After more than two hours without hearing anything from him, the assistant couldn't help but come to check. Just now, he seemed to

have heard the sound of two people's breaths?

Jonathan slightly pinched his brow, "It's fine."

The assistant snapped back to reality, "Bennett booked room 1009 at the Diamond Inn and wants to meet you at nine o'clock sharp. It's almost time"

Jonathan casually asked, "Which Bennett?"

After he said that, he seemed to remember, and asked indifferently. "Hasn't it been three years already?"

The assistant replied, "It's still a few months away"

Jonathan's tone was mocking. "What's the difference then?"

The assistant said, "Bennett has called several times to see you. He probably has a favor to ask of Mr. Lamont" Thinking of the woman in the room, Jonathan felt somewhat irritable, "He already sold his daughter once Now he wants to sell her again? Who does he think he is, expecting me to always indulge him? Or does he think his daughter is worth a fortune and can always sell her for a good price? No way!"

The last two words were cold and ruthless!

Inside the bedroom, Estelle heard every word of the outside conversation. Her slightly flushed face turned pale gradually. If Jonathan found out that the girl lying on his bed was Bennett's daughter, he would probably be

even more sarcastic about that "sell" word!

She endured her discomfort, got up from the bed, found her clothes and put them on, then casually took something from her pocket and put it on the table.

Without looking back, she walked straight to the balcony, pushed open the window, and jumped down.

After a few spins in the air, the girl landed on a bluestone path several meters away. Her slender figure quickly disappeared into the dim lights.

Jonathan and the assistant talked about some other things outside. Finally, Jonathan ordered, "Find out who played dirty at the party today."

The assistant was momentarily stunned, then immediately understood and replied solemnly. "Yes!"

Jonathan got up and went back to his bedroom. He glanced at the bed in the dim light and said indifferently, "Get up, take the money, and get out of my life!"

There was no answer. Jonathan frowned and turned on the light. Under the dim glow, the bed was a mess, but the girl had disappeared!

He turned to the bathroom, and it was also empty.

His narrow eyes flashed a hint of surprise. Was the person he just slept with was a ghost?

However, he distinctly saw the bloodstain on the bed.

Jonathan furrowed his brow, turning to look at the cabinet opposite the bed. He slowly walked towards it. picked up the thing under the vase, and his face instantly darkened.

He had a hundred dollar bill in his hand.

What did she think he is, leaving him money after S**?

The man's face darkened, and he strode towards the balcony. The window was indeed open.

The stairs in this building was built higher than other places and the third floor was as high as the average fourth floor. How did she manage to jump down?

Was he really that horrifying? That she'd risk her life to escape?

The wind blew in from the window, sending a chill down the spine, but it couldn't extinguish the evil fire in the man's heart. This woman not only humiliated him with a hundred bucks, but she also jumped out of the window and ran away... Just wait till he catches her!

Estelle sneezed on the taxi, and the driver looked back through the rearview mirror, "Hey young lady, are you alright?"

Beautiful as she was and all soaked, something definitely had happened to her..

Estelle smiled softly, "I'm fine."

The driver chuckled, "You must be a student. Be careful out there on your own."

"Thanks, sir."

Estelle nodded and quickly typed on her phone, "Destroy the surveillance footage of me at the Sapphire Hotel around 7 and 9 o'clock. Make it disappear!"

"Ok!" The person on the other end didn't ask any questions, just simply took the orders.

The thought of the man's harsh words infuriated her. Estelle didn't want to dwell on the useless question of whether or not she should have met Jonathan. She just wanted to make sure he never knew she'd been there.

After getting off at Maple Street, Estelle paid double the fare for wetting the taxi's back seat.

Back at the villa, maid Wilma was startled by Estelle's soaked clothes, "Ma'am, what happened?"

"Minor issue, I'll go up to take a shower." Estelle headed upstairs.

"I'll run the bath for you, ma'am." Wilma didn't dare to ask further and hurried upstairs to prepare.

A few minutes later, Estelle soaked in the warm bathtub, her body gradually relaxed.

Her mind was a mess. She forced herself not to think about what had happened that night and put her head

underwater as well.

After her bath and changing into clean pajamas, Bennett called just as Wilma was blow-drying Estelle's hair.

Estelle was displeased, and she asked Wilma to leave, then went out to the balcony to answer the call.

As soon as it got through, Bennett asked hastily. "Estelle, where are you? Have you met Mr. Lamont?"

There was no emotion that could be detected from her voice, "Dad, you must've been so worried that Mr. Lamont and I can't get along, so you decided to spike the drink, huh?"

Bennett paused, "What do you mean, spike the drink? I didn't!"

"Didn't?" Estelle smirked, "Then why did you tell me to meet at 7, even though you made the arrangement with Jonathan's a*sistant to meet at 9?"

There was silence on the other side. Estelle's heart sank, and she prepared to hang up.

"Estelle" A sudden voice came through, Bennett sounding quilty. "I was wrong I wanted you to meet Mr Lamont earlier, hoping that you two spending some time alone would make him less reluctant to this marriage"

He asked worriedly. "What happened, are you alright?"

Estelle could hear a hint of genuine concern in Bennett's voice and asked, "It really wasn't you?"

Bennett replied firmly. "Of course not! I may be desperate, but I would never stoop so low as to plot against my own daughter!"

Estelle said nothing

Bennett carefully asked, "Estelle, are you alright?"

She replied lightly. "I'm fine, I didn't see Jonathan."

Bennett didn't dig further into this, seemingly sighing in relief, "Anyway, I failed you in this, and I won't make you see him again. If you don't want to live in the villa on the hill, I'll pick you up right now and take you home."

Estelle's voice softened a bit, "I've been living here for over two years, and I don't mind staying for a few more months. Dad, don't worry, I kinda like it here."

The villa was a private property of Jonathan's. She had moved in as soon as they got married and she had been living there for almost three years.

Bennett sighed in relief, "Alright, then stay for a while longer, once the three years are up. I'll personally pick up my baby girl back home. Oh, by the way..."

He paused, saying. "This Saturday is your mom's birthday. Why don't you come home? She feels bad about the things she said last time you were home, and she's just too stubborn to apologize."

Estelle nodded, "I have a cla*s on Saturday morning, I'll go back after the cla*s."

"Alright, if you have any problems, give me a call."

After hanging up, Estelle made another call, "Paula, please prepare the latest spring necklace and earrings set for me. I'll pick them up in a couple of days."

With the confirmation on the other end, Estelle put down her phone, and her thoughts unintentionally wandered back to the things that happened tonight.

The man's heavy breathing seemed to linger in her ears... her arms resting on the stone railing, her head low, torn between regret and hatred.

At eleven that night, Jonathan left the Sapphire Hotel. His a*sistant followed, whispering, "Mr. Lamont, we found out it was TC Group's Vice President Hale. He planned to drug his companion tonight, but somehow you ended up with the spiked drink. He's terrified, already fled J City for H City."

A fierce look flashed in Jonathan's eyes, "Since he's left, he better never come back!"

The a*sistant lowered his head, "Understood!"

When Jonathan returned to the Lamont family's residence, it was already past midnight. His elder brother and his wife had gone to the L City for an economic seminar, his parents also tagged along. Only leaving his brother's daughter and son at home, who were already asleep.

Jonathan went straight to the third floor, took a shower, and sat down on the rattan chair on the balcony wrapped in his bathrobe, lighting a cigarette from the coffee table.

The flickering ember shone under the moonlight, his slightly damp hair hanging over his forehead, the dim light. casting a shadow on his handsome face.

He thought of that girl tonight. Sensing her vulnerability, he kissed her for so long.

He didn't make a further move until she responded, and she grabbed his arm, calling his name in fear.

He was not himself at that time due to the heat from being drugged, so now when thinking about it, he couldnt be sure whether she called out his name or not

Jonathan took out the hundred bucks, a new version, soaked through with water.

Who carries that much cash around?

Why did she show up in his room?

Who was she?

Jonathan was suddenly curious.

Picking up his cell phone, Jonathan made a call, "Find the woman who jumped from the third floor tonight!"

"Got it!" Assistant Millard only took orders, he nerver say more than he should.

The next day, after finishing cla*s in the morning, Estelle received a call from her advisor, asking her to organize the materials for the scholarship application and bring them to the office.

After Estelle had prepared these materials, before she could go, she received another message from her advisor, "Estelle, there was something urgent that I need to take care of in the meeting room on the ninth floor. you can bring the materials there."

After replying her advisor, Estelle headed towards the office building.

Outside the office building, a black Bentley was parked on the green lawn. Just as Estelle was about to walk past, she saw a tall, handsome figure stepping out of the car.

Estelle's heart raced as she saw the man's profile and turned away subconsciously.

Jonathan might not recognize her since they didn't turn on the lights last night, but she was the one that didn't know how to face him...

Estelle only continued walking after the car left and the man turned into the office area.

But then, as she turned the corner, she saw the man standing there on the phone again. Estelle stopped and pretended to look at her own phone.

When she looked up, Jonathan had already walked away. Estelle took a deep breath, puzzled as to why Jonathan was here.

She entered the office building, and the man was just getting on the elevator. Estelle slowed down her pace, waiting for the elevator doors to close before walking up.

Her hand had just reached the elevator button when the already closed doors opened again.

Estelle looked up, caught off guard, directly meeting the questioning, cold gaze of the man.

Estelle spaced out for a moment.

The man spoke in a cold tone, "What are you following me for? Are you a student at the University of J City?"

He had noticed the girl following him all the way, stopping whenever he stopped and even followed him to the elevator

Estelle's face flushed, but quickly returned to a calm expression, "Is this the way to your home? It's a public place, why do you think I am following you?"

A hint of coldness flashed in the man's eyes. He leaned back a step to make way for Estelle to get on the elevator.

Estelle scoffed, "Never mind, I don't want any misunderstandings."

She then turned and headed for the stairs.

The elevator doors closed behind her, blocking out the sight of the man's narrowing eyes.

Afraid of bumping into Jonathan again, Estelle decided to take the stairs up to the ninth floor.

When she arrived at the conference room, her advisor and the dean of the economics department were

discussing something. They gave her a look, signaling her to wait a bit.

A few other students were also there to hand in their documents, among which a pair of gloomy eyes stared at Estelle maliciously.

Pretending not to see, Estelle took out her phone and played Sudoku for a while.

In less than five minutes, she solved a round and heard footsteps approaching.

"You've been back for a while, huh? It's about time you came back!"

With the principal's voice, two people entered the conference room, one was Mr. Ingram, and the other....

Estelle couldn't help but frown. What are the odds?

Jonathan also saw Estelle, his gaze sweeping over her without stopping.

The dean hurriedly greeted the principal and introduced Mr. Lamont, the former student and current president of the Lamont Group, as the sponsor of several scholarships.

The dean's demeanor instantly became more respectful after shaking hands with Jonathan. He mentioned that today was the deadline for students to submit their scholarship applications, and all the students present had benefited from Mr. Lamont's scholarships before.

Jonathan glanced over and seemed to spend more time looking at Estelle, then smiled faintly. "The University of J City has always been a place where talent emerges!

Estelle looked at the handsome side profile of the man, her eyes rolling, wondering whether the real Jonathan was the playboy they talked about or the refined gentleman he had just portrayed.

Suddenly, the principal called on a few students to stand up in front of Jonathan, some looking up at him in awe, while others shyly looked away.

The girl who stared at Estelle just now suddenly stepped forward and chimed in, "Since Mr. Lamont, the sponsor of the scholarship, is here, I have something to say."

The advisor frowned, not knowing what Brooke Hester was up to.

Mr. Ingram gently said, "If you have something to say, just say it."

Brooke glanced at Estelle and said, "Mr. Lamont's scholarship is meant to reward outstanding students at the University of J City. I think that being outstanding should not only include academic performance, but also

good moral character, right?"

"Of course!" Mr. Ingrarn nodded.

Brooke took out her phone and showed everyone a post on the university forum

"A few days ago, someone saw Estelle getting into a luxurious car after school Estelle's family is pretty average, so they probably can't afford a car like that I think we can all guess what she was doing is someone like this really an outstanding student?"

Except for Jonathan, everyone's face changed. The advisor whispered, "Brooke, why are you saying this in front of Mr. Lamont?"

Brooke raised her eyebrows, "I want to let Mr. Lamont know what kind of people his scholarships are supporting Isn't that a waste of his money?"

The dean's face darkened as he took a look at the phone, there was only some blurry photos of Estelle getting into a Mercedes S600 with an older man whose face was unclear.

"Estelle, how do you explain this?" Brooke looked at Estelle provocatively.

Estelle's delicate face was expressionless, her usually gentle eyes now icy cold, "Who are you? Why should I explain anything to you?"

As Brooke was about to reply, Jonathan suddenly interjected in his signature sarcastic tone, "What era are we in that students of such a prestigious university would still use such baseless rumors to slander someone's reputation?"

Brooke clenched her teeth and retorted, "There are photos, Mr. Lamont, how can you say it's baseless?"

Jonathan sneered, "What did you see in those photos? If I speak up for her now, do you also want to say that there is something going on between us?"

Estelle's eyelids twitched.

She was suddenly grateful that Jonathan hadn't recognized her, which allowed him to speak up for her so confidently.

Jonathan added, "This is how prestigious students behave?"

He emphasized the word "prestigious", which was clearly a satire on Brooke's previous statement.

Brooke was silenced by Jonathan's overwhelming presence.

Everyone's facial expressions slightly changed, Brooke was embarra*sed, and the rest were also uncomfortable. Estelle, however, raised her eyebrows in surprise, not expecting that Jonathan would come to

her defense.

Mr. Ingram frowned and spoke in a deep voice, "Mr. Lamont is right. A few blurry photos shouldn't be used to judge someone, and it shouldn't be on the University of J City's forum in the first place."

The advisor immediately responded, "I'll have someone delete the post right away."

Brooke was still not satisfied and wanted to say something more, but the advisor stared her down.

Mr. Ingram turned to Jonathan and said with an elegant smile, "Since the principal, Mr. Fletcher, is using the conference room, why don't we go to my office instead?"

Jonathan nodded, "That sounds good."

"Please, this way!"

"Mr. Ingram, please!"

After Mr. Ingram and Jonathan left, the advisor turned to Brooke angrily, "Brooke, you really don't know any better, do you?"

Brooke clenched her teeth without saying a word, glared at Estelle, and stormed out of the conference room

The advisor comforted Estelle for a bit Estelle didn't say much else, handed in her materials, and then excused herself.

Around the corner of the hallway, Brooke was standing there, coldly staring at Estelle

Estelle walked past her without looking sideways As they brushed by each other, she stopped and said casually. "If you like Saul just go after him. Using these low and dirty tricks just makes you look

She glanced sideways, her face should be pure and innocent, but instead, it carried an icy coldness, utterly stupid""

Brooke's entire body tensed up for a moment, angrily said, "What did you say?"

Estelle took a glance at her and then walked away calmly.

Unable to contain her anger, Brooke went to catch up with her but was stopped by another girl, "Brooke, calm down, we're in the office building!"

Brooke stood still, her eyes menacing as she stared at Estelle's retreating figure, "I'll get her one day!"

Estelle didn't have cla*ses in the afternoon. During noon time, she took the bus back to her hillside villa. Sitting on the bus, she couldn't help but think about Jonathan again.

The first time they met, they slept together without getting to know each other, and the second time they met, she was treated as some stalker and was accused of being a mistress in public....

Resting her forehead against the bus window, Estelle raised her eyebrows slightly, thinking he must be her nemesis!

An hour later, Jonathan declined Mr. Ingram's invitation for a dinner party and drove away from the University of J City.

The driver asked, "Mr. Lamont, there's a development meeting at the Golden Palace Villa Area at 3 pm this afternoon. You have some time to rest before that. Where would you like to go?"

Jonathan glanced at the documents in his hand, and after hearing the word 'villa', an idea popped up in his mind, he said indifferently. "Let's go to Villa del Sol."

"Roger that!" The driver turned the car towards Villa del Sol.

Jonathan's cell phone suddenly rang. After answering the call, Millard's voice came from the other end, "Mr. Lamont, I've found the woman from last night!"