Arrived 221

Kevin desperately tries to convince Estella to be his girlfriend, expressing his admiration and willingness to change for her. However, Estella coldly rejects him, insisting that the kind of devoted, respectful man she desires does not exist. Kevin argues cynically that men only want women for physical reasons and cannot truly meet her standards. Their conversation grows tense, culminating in Estella walking away in frustration, leaving Kevin embarrassed and unable to pay for his meal.

Meanwhile, Estella arrives at a competition venue where she is suddenly surrounded by hostile reporters accusing her of cheating, fabricating awards, and using connections to gain opportunities. The barrage of slander shocks her, and before she can respond, someone pushes her to the ground in front of suspicious onlookers. Despite the humiliation and isolation, Estella forces herself to stand and confront the reporters calmly, asserting the authenticity of her achievements and offering to provide proof.

The reporters remain skeptical and demand that Estella demonstrate her piano skills on the spot. Estella freezes, knowing her injured hands prevent her from playing anything complex. She faces a difficult moment as she must respond to the crowd’s expectations while hiding her physical limitations. The chapter ends with Estella’s heart pounding under the pressure of the public challenge.

221 Cornered by Reporters

Kevin’s eyes locked onto Estella with a mix of hope and longing. “What if I just want you to be my girlfriend? You’re so stunning, Estella. I still want you.” His voice was earnest, almost pleading.

Estella let out a cold, bitter laugh. “Then keep dreaming. You can have anything you want in a dream,” she said sharply, her tone dismissive.

Kevin was taken aback, speechless for the first time when faced with her icy refusal.

No wonder even her ex-husband and Isaac had never managed to break through her defenses.

He pressed on, desperation creeping into his voice. “You really don’t have any desires? Tell me—what kind of man do you want? I’ll become that man.”

Her voice was flat, almost resigned. “Forget it. You could never be that person.”

She believed a man’s nature was fixed, unchangeable.

“How do you know I can’t?” Kevin challenged, his eyes searching hers. “Just tell me. I’ll try.”

Estella paused, her mind briefly flashing to Jonathan’s face.

“First, he has to genuinely care about me,” she said quietly.

“That’s easy enough,” Kevin replied confidently.

“Second, he remembers everything I like,” she added.

Kevin nodded, “Not hard either.”

“He looks after me and puts me first,” she continued.

“Sure, I can do that too.”

“Before I agree to anything serious, he respects me, protects me, and never lays a hand on me,” she said firmly.

Kevin hesitated, a hint of frustration in his voice. “…That’s a bit tough. How can a man possibly hold back?”

“He cherishes my dreams, supports my career, and encourages me to be myself,” Estella finished, her voice steady.

Kevin was stunned. This kind of devotion was something he had never even imagined.

He blurted out in disbelief, “There’s no such man. Men want women for two things—sex and children. No man gives without expecting something in return. Estella, the man you’re describing doesn’t exist. Wake up. If that’s what you expect, you’ll be single your whole life.”

Estella looked at him with disdain, her eyes sharp. “Don’t project your filth onto others. Just because you can’t doesn’t mean no one else can.”

Kevin’s face flushed with frustration.

“If such a man really exists, he’s only pretending. You’re too beautiful. Any man who holds back is just playing the long game, waiting to reel you in until he finally gets you into bed.”

Estella’s patience snapped. She nearly threw the bowl of noodles at him.

Without a word, she stood and walked away.

Kevin panicked, calling after her, “Wait, Estella! You haven’t paid yet!”

She didn’t even glance back.

Kevin was left stranded at the food stall, unable to leave until he borrowed the owner’s phone and called Chris for a ride.

Chris couldn’t resist teasing him. “Sir, you can’t even pay for a ten-dollar bowl of noodles?”

Kevin’s face darkened. “I just haven’t made any money yet.”

Chris laughed cruelly. “You’ve been out here trying to earn for days and still can’t scrape together ten bucks?”

Kevin burned with shame. As the heir to Sea City’s richest family, he had never faced such humiliation before. It was unbearable.

Meanwhile, Estella arrived at the competition building only to be suddenly surrounded by a swarm of reporters.

At first, she was confused, but then one sneered, “Ms. Hayes, it’s been said you cheated in college, that your awards were fabricated, and that you only got into Mr. Chase’s orchestra through connections. Are you serving as a judge this time because of those same connections?”

Another reporter jumped in immediately.

“Ms. Hayes, you run a music center. Isn’t this judging gig just a way to recruit more students? With motives that greedy, is it right to entrust children to someone so fake?”

The barrage of accusations left Estella momentarily stunned. She had no idea who was trying to tarnish her reputation again.

Just as she opened her mouth to respond, someone shoved her from behind. She stumbled and fell hard onto the pavement.

Parents arriving with their children and the event staff all stared at her with suspicion. Not a single person stepped forward to help her up.

Public attacks could destroy a person’s life.

Gritting her teeth, Estella forced herself to rise, her face composed and steady despite the sting of humiliation.

She had been slandered before. Back then, she panicked and hid away.

But this time, she refused to be broken.

Her voice clear and unwavering, she faced the reporters. “I don’t know who sent you here to smear me, but I can tell you with absolute certainty that all my achievements are genuine. If you don’t believe me, I can provide videos and certificates from my past exams and competitions.”

The reporters weren’t satisfied.

“All of that could be faked,” one sneered. “Ms. Hayes, why not prove it right here, right now? Play something on the piano for everyone.”

Estella froze.

Her hands were injured. She couldn’t play anything technically demanding anymore.

At the previous singing competition, the pieces she performed were simple, and no one had paid much attention to her piano skills. There had been little pressure then.

But this was different. Here, she faced a panel of industry professionals. If she played something too basic, her abilities would be mercilessly mocked.

Her heart pounded as the crowd waited for her to respond.

The chapter closes on a poignant note, highlighting Estella’s unwavering strength amid the storm of public scrutiny and personal challenges. Despite the biting words and the crowd’s cold indifference, she stands tall, refusing to let slander define her. Her resilience in the face of false accusations and physical pain speaks to a deeper theme of inner courage and the fight to preserve one’s dignity when everything seems to be against you.

Meanwhile, Kevin’s confrontation reveals the painful gap between hope and reality, as well as the complexities of love and trust. His struggle to understand Estella’s boundaries and ideals underscores the emotional distance that still separates them, even as he yearns to bridge it. Together, their stories weave a tapestry of vulnerability and determination, reminding us that true connection requires patience, respect, and the courage to face harsh truths.

The next chapter promises to plunge Estella deeper into the storm of public scrutiny and personal challenge. As she confronts the reporters’ relentless demands, her physical injuries and the weight of her reputation hang in delicate balance. Will she find the strength to prove herself despite these obstacles, or will the pressure force her to reveal vulnerabilities she’s long kept hidden? The tension between her resilience and the crowd’s skepticism will surely test her in unexpected ways.

Meanwhile, Kevin’s struggle with his own limitations and his desperate desire to win Estella’s heart hint at an emotional crossroads. His frustration and shame contrast sharply with Estella’s unwavering composure, setting the stage for a complex dynamic between them. As both face their inner battles, the coming chapter may reveal whether their paths will converge or diverge under the strain of their respective challenges. The unfolding drama promises to be as much about personal growth as it is about the external conflicts they cannot escape.

Cedella

Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.