Beyond Boundaries

CHAPTER 7:

At the cafe, with the surprising news, both Lisa and Nolan were left in shock.

Lisa, scolding: "Have you lost your mind, Estelle? You already forgot that I'm friends with you because of your father."

Nolan, trying to calm the situation: "I think you're taking this decision based on your emotions. I know what happened to your mother wasn't good for you, but you should think about it."

Estelle, with determined eyes: "I never said for a long time. I need to take over the company as soon as possible, finding a small thing which leads him to jail. With the presence of our attorneys, he will be able to get out in a few days. I just want to break the investment, that's all."

Nolan, concerned: "You can't take over the company this easily. Also, you will harm no one but yourself by putting him in jail. You have to think clearly; you'll just destroy your family's reputation. Believe me, if you want to stand against the investors, I will help you with that."

Estelle, serious: "I wanted to break the wedding and take over the company, but now that you are saying this, I think you are right. I promised mother to break this wedding."

Lisa, annoyed: "You're still after ruining the wedding. I get that, but that doesn't mean you put your father in jail. Also, if you follow this plan, I won't help you. I'm sorry."

Nolan, confused: "Can I know the reason you want to ruin the investment?"

Estelle hesitated, then answered: "They are filthy liars."

Nolan, doubtful: "How did you know that? Even your boyfriend Lucas insisted until he sent them away. I think he is aware of something, am I right?"

Estelle, with shocked eyes: "Lucas sent them away?"

Estelle showed a sad smile in a low voice: "I guess he still cares about me a bit."

Lisa, annoyed: "Are you affected by Lucas's actions? Didn't you break up with him? So stop being emotional and think clearly. Nolan is right; what are you hiding about them?"

Estelle, hesitating: "I suspect they are the ones behind the published picture of me and Lucas! They are also dangerous. I found a file of their dirty jobs, but it looks like they cleaned everything. That's why I need your help, Nolan. Also, today I am organizing a party to look good with our partners. If you help me with something, I might ruin their wedding."

Nolan, in a serious tone: "If you suspect something like that, it is close to being logical. However, I won't be able to help you these four days."

Lisa got a text, then spoke in panic: "I have to leave; my father is looking for me."

Lisa, with a smile: "And listen, Estelle, you should think clearly. I might help you tonight and bring you some information using my power. So don't mention the jail idea again, nor Lucas. Bye."

Lisa ran to her car.

Estelle, confused: "Weren't you the one who suggested your help?"

Nolan, feeling guilty: "Yes, but Stella needs me on her work trip. I was asked to fix some security systems there, so I won't be available."

Estelle, with emotion: "Oh, of course you should go. Your girlfriend needs your help."

Nolan, curious with a deep tone: "Did you really harm her in college?"

Estelle, confused, hesitated: "Well, I was very mean, and I am still a bit. I cared just about myself. I'm sorry if I harmed her this much."

Nolan stood up and put his hand on her shoulders.

Nolan with a warm voice: You should at least apologise! I should get going, you can send me a text if you need anything

Estelle came back to the company and gathered the employees. She informed them about the evening party she organized to meet all the biggest families in business.

On the other hand, Nolan finished his work and went to his apartment, where Stella was waiting for him.

Stella, with a bright smile: "So, how are you doing today?"

Nolan, with a warm look: "Fine. You came early; I was going to gather my suitcase and go after you."

Stella: "I didn't gather anything. It should be a chance to visit my apartment."

Nolan: "What about the paparazzi?"

Stella, with a mischievous smile: "We'll enter through the other door."

Nolan, surprised: "You sound excited for an adventure!"

Stella, concerned: "What about you, Nolan? You look lost in your thoughts."

Nolan, worried: "Well, I am tired. I was thinking about Estelle's state since she lost her mother."

Stella, acting concerned: "You are too kind to her. She is a strong girl; she will be alright."

Nolan, wondering: "I forgot to ask you, how did you know about her mother's condition?"

Stella, adjusting her hair: "Well, at college, we heard such rumors, and everyone knew about her mother's state. We also heard she was seeing a psychiatrist at that time."

Nolan, doubtful: "A psychiatrist? Is that all?"

Stella changed the topic: "We are late; we should go to my apartment right now."

Nolan, in his thoughts: "What are you hiding from me, Stella? I am worried about facing the truth."

In the parking lot, Nolan waited in his car while Stella stepped aside to take a call with her manager. As he sat there, a journalist suddenly appeared and slipped into the passenger seat. Nolan recognized him immediately.

Nolan, surprised: "Kevin? What are you doing here?"

Kevin, with a grin: "Nice to see you too, Nolan."

Kevin was a well-known journalist and Nolan's best friend. Years ago, Kevin had almost published a damaging rumor about Stella, but Nolan, knowing it wasn't true, had punched him in anger. That incident had unexpectedly led to their close friendship, with Kevin often bringing Nolan news before it was published. However, Kevin had stayed away from any news about Stella to avoid straining their relationship.

Nolan, curious: "What's going on, Kev? You don't just drop by for no reason."

Kevin, serious: I found out who spread the news about Estelle and Lucas.

Nolan, tense: "Who was it?"

Kevin, leaning closer: "It was the Killians. They're playing dirty, Nolan. Also, there's something you need to know about Stella. Be cautious around her."

Nolan, suddenly angry: "What are you talking about? Stella's been through enough without you dragging her name through the mud."

Kevin, calmly: "I'm just trying to help. There's more to Stella than you know. The news I was going to publish about her back then? It was true, Nolan. I have proof, but I can't give it to you. It's my safety net, my guarantee."

Nolan, frustrated: "What do you mean, you can't give it to me? If you have proof, show it to me."

Kevin, shaking his head: "I can't, Nolan. I'm sorry. I've got to protect myself.

Nolan, taking a deep breath: "Thanks for the heads-up about the Killians. But leave Stella out of this. If I need to know something, I'll find out myself."

Kevin, nodding: "Fair enough. Just be careful. There's a lot at stake here.

Nolan curious: bye the way it's unusual for you to hang out around, what's your specific reason?

Kevin confidently: I am chasing a piece of important news and I need to catch it on my own and confirm it , don't worry it has nothing to do with you!

Kevin slipped out of the car, leaving Nolan with much to think about. As Stella returned, Nolan with doubt gnawed at his heart. He couldn't shake Kevin's words, and the seed of suspicion had been planted deep inside him, determined to uncover the truth.

Stella doubted his reaction: "What's wrong with you, Nolan?"

Nolan, denying: "Nothing. I just met with a journalist and he kept asking me unnecessary questions."

Stella, shocked: "A journalist here? How did journalists access this place?"

Stella, worried: "Did he say something strange?"

Stella, sarcastically: "Since I'm a high-profile star, he probably wanted to get information from you and start a rumor. That's their goal. Don't take what he says too seriously."

Nolan, denying: "I was just sitting in my car and he didn't even know I was with you since I didn't mention anything."

Stella, reassured: "So why are you concerned about the bluff he said to create drama?"

Nolan, in his thoughts: "He's my friend. Even if he bluffed, he always told me the truth. I hope this time he's wrong."

Nolan, changing the topic with a smile: "Let's go upstairs before we encounter anyone else."

When they went to the apartment and entered, the door was opened by someone. Nolan went to see who had entered the house in worry, and he met up with a man.

Meanwhile, at Estelle's event, it was past 7 pm. Guests began arriving one after another, as Estelle had asked Lisa, Robert, and Georgia to contact all their business acquaintances. Estelle wore a stunning red long dress, exuding grace and poise, showing no signs of sadness or anger. Michael and his fiancée Layla were also present at the event.

Estelle started welcoming guests with Lisa. Suddenly, Lisa asked her,

Lisa: Where is Nolan? Don’t tell me he’s going to mess up such an event.

Estelle, in a low voice: He’s with his girlfriend right now. I don’t want to bother him.

Lisa, rolling her eyes: Don’t tell me that Stella is his girlfriend. Have you informed him about her?

Estelle: I have no idea what you’re talking about. The show is about to begin.

Estelle headed to the podium, presenting herself confidently: "Hello, ladies and gentlemen. As you know, I am Estelle Jefferson, the heir to the Jefferson family wealth and the owner of the industrial stocks."

Estelle continued confidently: "I am glad all of you accepted my humble invitation. We are starting a new era of business where we are heading to the top ranks. I have verified many projects today and decided to accept some of them. However, before that, I want you to work with me specifically because, as you know, my father didn’t reach the top ranks."

Estelle laughed, then stood up straight: "I know this is practically my fault, but after an awful loss, all I want is to be the best. I have a few plans. If you want to discuss this with me, you better come tomorrow to our company. I promise that you won’t be disappointed by the plans I have organized for a bright future."

Estelle, sarcastically: "I know that you all respect working with Mr. Michael since he is talented, and I won’t regret that. That’s why I will tell you a small story about him."

Michael, feeling tense, thought: What is she planning to do this time?

Layla tried to comfort Michael: "Please calm yourself, dear. You know she is not thinking straightly this time."

Estelle displayed a big screen showing a wedding of a man and woman, their moments before the wedding. Layla's eyes were drawn to the screen, feeling uneasy as it displayed Michael and Celine's past photos. The love shown on the screen made her uncomfortable.

Michael, shocked, facepalmed his head: "Where did she find all of this? I threw them away years ago."

Estelle, smiling mockingly: "See, how can more than this love exist? This is my mother and my father when they got married."

Estelle's eyes filled with tears as she saw her mother’s normal era, then she regained herself.

Estelle, with a mysterious smile, continued: "But suddenly everything got dark," showing her mother’s crisis. She clenched her fists and ended up hurting herself with her own nails without realizing.

Estelle, pretending to be curious: "So how did that normal, pretty woman end up in such a state? And look at this."

Celine appeared, cursing the Jefferson family, claiming that Michael and his family were the cause of her misery when she was at the health center.

Estelle, pretending to be surprised: "Oh, is that true? What do you think, dear guests?"

Michael, yelling with anger: "Enough! Cut this crap off right now!"

Layla, feeling the guests' eyes fixed on her, felt a bit embarrassed: "Michael, I truly started doubting you this time. I can’t gather all of this. I think we should end everything until you fix your own problems."

Layla left the party, annoyed.

A friend of Michael, who was a doctor, suddenly said to Estelle in a low voice: "You have no idea what truly happened. You should at least ask about the truth before ruining everything."

Estelle, astonished: "What do you mean?"

Michael left the party in a hurry, his eyes filled with fury.

Lisa got closer to Estelle and comforted her: "Are you okay?"

Estelle touched the palm of her hand, which was full of scratches, and smiled: "I am totally fine!"

Elsewhere, back with Nolan, the man at the door smiled mischievously.

The man: "So you are the famous Nolan."

Nolan, annoyed: "Who are you? And how did you get the keys to this house? And how do you know my name?"

The man, in shock: "You don't know who I am? I am Ian Joseph, a colleague of Stella's, but I am way more famous than her."

Nolan, angry: "You didn't answer my question. How did you get the keys to this house?"

Ian: "You should relax, dude. I got the house keys from the manager. He asked us to stay together to nail the role of our new scenario. Didn't your girlfriend inform you?"

Stella came holding her suitcase happily: "I am ready."

Stella then saw Ian and started trembling in fear.

Nolan glared at Stella with feisty eyes: "Why didn't you tell me that both of you would share the same house?"

Stella, in fear: "I was going to inform you, but I was afraid you would get angry at me because I accepted."

Nolan, coldly: "And why did you accept?"

Stella, trembling: "For the sake of the role, of course. I totally forgot about his presence, that's why I forgot to tell you."

Ian, sarcastically: "Stop with the drama. She's trembling; you should worry about her a bit."

Nolan, with cold, agitated eyes: "It's none of your business to interfere. I'm just asking her a simple question, but she's acting like a suspect."

Stella, angry: "I never asked for your presence, Ian. Just leave. Your presence is what bothers me most."

Nolan, furiously: "Did this man do anything to you? You don't have to fear him. Tell me, Stella!"

Stella, in fear: "No way!"

Nolan, trying to take a breath: "So why are you trembling and asking him to leave?"

Ian, furiously: "I am still here, if you realize that. Also, she's not afraid of me but of facing her actions in front of you! What she told me on the first set and what she did—it's all the story of college because I was her classmate."

Stella, in fear, yelled at Ian: "Don't listen to him, Nolan. He is just saying nonsense."

Nolan, in a cold tone: "So who should I listen to? Or should I leave?"

Stella grabbed Nolan by his shirt in fear: "No, don't leave, please."

Ian, furious again: "I am sick of your acts, Stella. Just tell him that you were drunk at your first set and had an intimate moment with me. You promised to be my girl and gave up on me the day after because of the rumor. Am I right? Also, you just used me for your own sake."

Nolan, angrily: "What is he saying, Stella? Is that true?"

Stella kept lying and denying without saying a word.

Nolan, yelling: "Stella!"

Ian, smiling with anger: "Let me also inform you about college where she wanted to break Estelle by locking her in the fridge because she heard that she started imagining things in a dark room. But Estelle shoved her and locked her instead, so she became a victim but managed to get out easily after just thirty minutes."

Ian, sarcastically: "She can't defend herself because it's true. I fell in love with her like a moron, and instead, she humiliated me! Even if I still have feelings for her, she always tortured me by mentioning Nolan, her loyal boyfriend who never knew about her true face."

Nolan, coldly, with a disgusted look: "Is that right, Stella? Speak!"

Stella, denying with tears: "No, don't look at me like that, please! There is no proof!"

Ian grabbed his phone and showed many photos to Nolan.

Nolan crashed Stella's suitcase to the floor and looked at her disgustedly.

Nolan, in a cold tone: "Don't ever show your face to me again. From today, you don't exist in my life anymore."

Stella grabbed Nolan's hand and started begging for him to stay, but he removed her hand and threw her to the floor.

Nolan: "You disgust me, Stella Stone."

Stella started crying on the floor while Nolan took his car and drove away.

Nolan headed to the nearest bar and entered to drink without stopping, then asked a taxi to take him to Estelle's event localisation

He arrived in an awful state at the party where Estelle had finished her show, and Michael had left, but the paparazzi were still there. He kept walking straight toward Estelle.

Estelle, realizing his state, worried: "Nolan, are you okay?"

Nolan, without a word, pulled her close and then smiled: "It looks like we have no partners right now. Let's date."

He held her tightly and kissed her in front of everyone.

Lisa was left speechless, her mouth open in shock. The paparazzi found their latest scoop and then escaped after being chased by the guards.

Estelle pushed him away with all her force and slapped him.

Estelle, looking at him annoyed: "Have you lost your mind? Are you crazy? You are truly a jerk."

She wiped her mouth, her eyes filled with tears, then quickly went to her car.

Nolan hit his head, calling out after Estelle: "Estelle, wait! I wasn't even thinking, I don't know what's gotten into me!"

Estelle's car took off at high speed and headed towards Lisa's house.

Lisa couldn't chase after Estelle.

When Estelle arrived and got out of her car, trying to breathe some fresh air, a black car arrived, and a group of men wearing black got out and came directly to Estelle.

Man in black: "You have to come with us, Miss Estelle!"

Estelle shouted: "Who are you? Stay away from me or I will call the police! Leave me alone!"

Man in black: "It's under Mister Michael Jefferson's orders."

Estelle shouted: "Leave me alone! If you know my father, you should leave me!"

They took Estelle into the car and left!

Estelle tried to free herself from the armed men but couldn't. Then they closed her eyes, and the door of the car opened.

When they covered Estelle's eyes, a picture of someone strangling her showed up in her mind, and she started panicking.

Then they removed the cover, and it turned out that it was Michael who brought her to his office. She was sweating from fear.

Her eyes were darkened when she stared at Michael, saying in anger,

Estelle: "It was you all along. Did you have to use violence to bring me home? How terrible you are!"

Michael, in an expressionless cold voice: "You wouldn't come if I asked you to. Also, after doing such scandals, you will just cause problems to those around you. You never think about anyone but your revenge on me."

Michael, in an irritated voice: "You even caused harm to a woman who treated you like a daughter!"

Estelle laughed sarcastically: "I get that. She finally left you. I guess she realized your true nature. I just saved her from being with a man like you who didn't even drop a tear over his ex-wife and attended her funeral with his fiancée. You just bring me to fill your empty house."

Michael, irritated: "What about Nolan? The kiss is making the media explode. What were you thinking? They started to say you are dating?"

Estelle laughed sarcastically: "What if we are truly dating? I think my heart started to race after meeting him!"

Michael, irritated in a straight voice: "You will never learn from your mistakes. You have no idea about what happened years ago and you come to scold me!"

Estelle got emotionally tense: "Then tell me! I lived without a mother. How can I understand after what she suffered and what she said to me?"

Michael controlled his tone coldly: "What did you see when they covered your eyes? A trauma?"

Estelle annoyed: "Why should I tell you?"

Michael, serious: "Because I know well what you have seen. Someone choking you, which is a woman, am I right?"

Estelle, trembling: "How did you know that?"

Michael, serious: "That's because she is your mother. You just keep denying it. I know well you realized it."

Estelle closed her ears in panic, crying: "No, stop! You are lying! That's not true! It can't be."

Estelle sadly crying with an emotional tone: "How can you say such a horrible thing to your daughter?"

Michael, in a gentle tone: "I couldn't all these years, but I am getting enough of you harming your surroundings because of that woman who tried to kill you when you were just a baby of two years old!"

Estelle, sobbing and trembling: "Stop! You are lying. It can't be true. It must be a mistake."

The images started recovering in Estelle's mind.

Michael, in a gentle tone: "I am sorry to remind you of this terrible memory, but I kept you away because she wasn't in a stable state."

Estelle, with sharp eyes filled with tears: "Explain more to me! It's probably your fault she did that! Explain more!"

Michael, in a serious tone: "That's all for today."

Estelle, keeping her sharp look, raised her voice: "You are just keeping the rest of the story to yourself since you are the reason for her awful state! Don't stop! Speak! Speak right now!"

Estelle lost consciousness, and Michael took her to her room.

Nolan came back to his house and found his mother, Layla, waiting for him. She slapped him again.

Layla: "I never thought that my son is such a filthy man. Did I ever raise a human being? You can't speak because you know how much wrong you did to Estelle and to Stella."

Nolan, irritated: "Don't ever say that woman's name again! Stella is a past that needs to disappear."

Layla, worried: "What's wrong, Nolan? Why is she from the past?"

Nolan avoided telling Layla what happened.

Nolan: "I am going to sleep! Don't mention the names of disgusting liars like her!"

Layla couldn't say more, noticing his state, then said: "Good night, son."

The next morning, the news covered the papers and the media. The paparazzi were at every door, including Nolan's family and Estelle's.

At Lucas's company, the workers started gossiping about Estelle's scandals. When Lucas told them to stop, Piper came and asked Lucas to come to her office.

Piper, annoyed: "Why do you keep protecting her? Even if you are my fiancé, she moved on easily. You should think about doing the same."

Lucas, coldly: "I accepted your offer just to attend her mother's funeral because I was late. However, I won't have any feelings for you, Piper. I am sorry."

Piper, surprised: "How come you're not angry or annoyed at her?"

Lucas, coldly: "Because I know she wouldn't move on easily. I think it's a plan to separate her father from his fiancée, and I have no right to be angry because I just made her suffer."

Piper, annoyed: "You are a coward for sure, but your love for her doesn't make me jealous of her. Get out of my office."

Lucas got out.

At Stella's crew trip, they started murmuring about Nolan but shut their mouths when she arrived.

Stella, wondering: "What are you murmuring about?"

Ian, lying on a sun seat with a careless voice: "Your ex seemed to enjoy kissing the others."

Stella, shocked, took her phone and watched the news angrily: "This is nonsense!"

Stella threw her phone in the pool and left for her room, her eyes filled with tears and jealousy.

At the Jefferson estate, Estelle opened her swollen eyes after having some terrible nightmares. She was so pale and devastated that she asked the maids to bring her breakfast to her room.

Estelle's perspective:

"I can't believe my mom would do that without a reason. I'm sure the source is my dad. I should keep investigating the truth. I won't give up, but surely not today. I forgot that I promised the business colleagues to attend a meeting with them. How can I go? I should find a solution!"

Suddenly, Estelle's eyes caught the bracelet Lucas had given her on her birthday.

"Well, even if we were only in touch over the phone, I started missing you, Lucas. I hope you are alright."

Layla went to work early to avoid the journalists, but Nolan was still asleep due to his night of heavy drinking.

However, he managed to sneak out without attracting the journalists' attention. He took a taxi to Estelle's home because he wanted to apologize for his actions.

When he arrived, both doors to the Jefferson estate were filled with journalists, so he jumped over the garden fence and couldn’t reach Estelle’s room. He started throwing stones at her window.

Estelle, lost in her thoughts, panicked.

Estelle angrily: "Who is this indecent person throwing pebbles at my windows?"

Then she moved the curtain aside and saw Nolan’s guilty face.

She closed the curtain and went back to her room, but he kept insisting until Estelle went down to meet him.

Estelle, irritated: "Why did you come here? Didn’t you get enough of what you did?"

Nolan burst into regret but noticed her state.

Nolan, concerned: "Are you alright? You look pale and your eyes are swollen. It's like you've been possessed. Is it because of what I did yesterday?"

He put his hand on her forehead.

Estelle moved his hand away.

Estelle, annoyed: "Stay away from me! Stop acting concerned!"

Nolan, showing a sad look: "I am so sorry. I was unable to control my actions. I was totally wrong!"

Nolan, keeping his sad look: "I am also sorry for what I have caused you and because I blamed you without knowing the true version of your story. I am such an awful person."

Estelle, shocked: "What’s with these apologies? You’re making it feel like you are the victim, not me! And how did you know about the story?"

Nolan, shrugging: "Someone called Ian told me. He used to be in the same college as you!"

Estelle, surprised: "Ian, you said? I didn't like him either. He was so stuck with her after all."

Estelle, irritated: "But that doesn't justify you cheating on her and doing such an awful thing to me!"

Nolan tried to explain that he broke up with Stella yesterday.

Nolan, with regret: "I am sorry. I just wanted to take my revenge on her."

Estelle, irritated: "Am I a replacement? Revenge you said doesn’t explain your actions! You put me in an embarrassing situation, and you know that I am still in love with another."

Estelle, annoyed: "Now people think that we are dating!"

Nolan, trying to reassure her: "Don't worry. Tomorrow I will explain everything to them! They won’t think this way anymore!"

Estelle raised her hands: "Stop right now. I still want to get revenge on my father. I haven’t given up on this, so we should act this way."

Nolan, confused: "You are being contradictory with yourself! Are you fine? Your hands are full of scratches."

Estelle, with an upset look: "Since you arrived before Lisa, I will tell you this because I have no one else to speak with."

Nolan, worried: "Say it. What’s wrong?"

Estelle told him everything her father had said last night, and about the nightmares she had.

Nolan put his hand on her shoulder to comfort her.

Estelle, showing a sad smile: "Every time I see you, I become pathetic."

Nolan, smiling: "Comforting a person always makes me happy!"

Estelle changed the topic: "Don't think you are close to me because I told you some of my secrets!"

Nolan, smiling: "Alright, I get that."

Nolan asked Estelle: "Can I know the reason you didn't tell me about Stella?"

Estelle answered: "Because I hate ruining people's relationships. I preferred she would tell you the truth."

Nolan, smiling: "You are a good person, Estelle."

Estelle, rolling her eyes: "Saying that won’t make me forgive you for giving up on your poor girlfriend because she lied to keep you with her!"

Nolan, irritated: "That wasn’t the reason. She cheated on me and kept many secrets from me."

Estelle, confused: "Why are you angry?"

Estelle, confidently: "Anyway, if you want me to forgive you, you should do two things! First, get me out of the house and let me arrive on time for the meeting I have to attend without being noticed. Second, keep up with the dating lie. Even if I manage to separate them, they will come back since my father will be able to convince your mother."

Estelle: "Deal?"

Nolan, smiling: "Deal."

Estelle, confused: "Why are you laughing?"

Nolan, smiling: "Because your requests are cute."

Estelle hit Nolan on his body: "How dare you make fun of my requests!"

Nolan kept laughing non-stop.

Estelle, sarcastically: "I still haven't forgiven you yet! Who knows if you'll get me there on time or not."

Nolan, confidently: "Of course I will. I will do whatever it takes to make you forgive me! But I can't bring Lucas to you he is in a committed relationship."

Estelle hit Nolan again: "It's not the time for your jokes!"

Nolan mischievously : Sorry madam!!