His Father Bought Me-Chapter 34: Her Replacement

Estelle’s throat constricted. The words she meant to say felt stuck somewhere between her chest and her lips.

She opened her mouth, but Magnus had already turned away. Just like that. As if she were nothing more than an afterthought, as if she had already been replaced.

The air felt thinner in the room.

Then a sharp ringing sliced through the silence. It was Vance’s phone. He reached into his pocket, glancing at the screen. A slow smile curved his lips as he read the name and then he lifted his head, looking at Magnus.

"Her replacement has arrived," he said casually, like Estelle wasn’t even there. "Miss Torres is here."

The words landed in Estelle’s chest harder than they should have.

"Perfect," Magnus replied without missing a beat, already moving toward the door. "Then I don’t have to waste any more time here." His tone was light and dismissive. "Now I can have a proper conversation with someone who knows how to make the most of opportunities and deliver results," he added. "She should’ve been the first option anyway."

"Good thing we can still correct that, sir," Vance said smoothly, falling into step behind him.

Estelle turned her chair slightly, the soft creak of it loud in the quiet as she watched them walk to the door. Her pulse spiked, fast and uneven. Come on, Estelle. Her fingers tapped against the armrest, quick, uneven. Are you really going to let someone else take this from you?

Then the image hit her mind. Walking again, standing, the freedom of it all, and then, just like that, her hesitation shattered.

As Magnus’s hand reached the door handle, her chest tightened. "I’ll do it." The words burst out before she could stop them.

Both men paused, but they did not turn around.

"I’ll do it," she repeated, her voice steadier this time, even as her pulse raced. "As long as I get my surgery tonight, I’ll do whatever you want." The words tasted heavy, but she would be damned if she took them back.

Magnus’s hand remained frozen on the handle, and for a moment, he didn’t move. Then, slowly, his lips curved into a satisfied smile, one she couldn’t see, but could feel. Still, he didn’t turn.

"You had the chance to say that earlier, but you didn’t," he said calmly, pausing briefly. "Now that opportunity is gone," he declared, his tone hardening. "Prepare to leave the mansion."

The words hit like a stone.

Estelle’s chest dipped, her heart skipping, but she didn’t let it show. Not at that moment, and more importantly, not in front of him. Her fingers were still on the armrest as she forced herself to think. You’re the best option. He knows that.

Then she lifted her chin slightly. "I’m the best person for the job," she said, her voice controlled. "And you know it. That’s why I was your first choice." She took in a breath to steady herself. "Lena has been here all along," she added, her gaze steady on his back. "And yet, you chose me."

That mattered. She leaned forward just slightly, just enough to push her point. "You can let me do the job you brought me here for, or you can waste time looking for someone else," she said, her tone sharpening just a fraction. "Someone who isn’t me."

She held his gaze, her fingers laced tightly in her lap, her knuckles paling as she pressed them together. Please let that be enough. She could feel the edge. One wrong word, one wrong breath, and everything would crack.

Magnus turned back to her slowly, the faint smile on his lips fading as his expression hardened.

"Everyone is replaceable," he said, his tone cold. "Don’t think too highly of yourself. I can find a thousand more just like you—"

"Yet you chose me." Estelle’s voice cut in cleanly.

Magnus’s eyes narrowed. The words hit just right.

"And you can still be replaced," Vance added, his tone sharp, stepping forward slightly. "Sir, we should go."

Magnus didn’t move. He just stood there, looking at her.

From where Estelle sat, she could see it. That brief pause, that fraction of hesitation she had been pushing for. Her words had landed. Not fully, but enough. Now all she could do was hold her ground and wait.

His gaze sharpened, pressing into her, searching, probing for weakness, for doubt. But Estelle tightened her grip on the armrest, grounding herself against it.

"You’ll need more than bold words to convince me," Magnus said finally.

Estelle shifted slightly in her seat, her posture straightening, her expression sharpening into something more calculated, like she was about to make a jump. "You call them bold words, I call them proof," she said slowly. "My legs matter more to me than anything else."

The truth of her words settled between them.

"I want my life back," she continued, her tone lowering just a fraction. "And I’m willing to align with whoever can give me that." Her fingers were still now, no longer trembling. "So if you need me to break him," she added, her eyes holding his, unwavering, "Just say the word. I’m ready."

Silence rushed in.

Magnus watched her carefully, his expression unreadable now, like he was peeling through every layer of what she’d just said, testing it, weighing it, looking for the lie... or the truth, and then he exhaled. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"Call the surgeons, Vance," he said at last, his gaze never leaving Estelle. "Tell them the procedure will happen in two nights." The words dropped, firm. "They should be ready."

Vance’s brows drew together, a flicker of displeasure crossing his face, but he didn’t argue. "Understood, sir."

Estelle frowned, the shift immediate as her heart kicked again, confusion cutting through the fragile control she’d built. "You said tonight," she said, her voice tightening. "Why is it suddenly two nights?"

"Don’t push your luck." Vance’s response came too quickly, like it slipped out before he could stop it.

Magnus lifted a hand slightly, silencing Vance without even looking at him. His attention remained fixed on Estelle, steady and unblinking.

"I’m sure you understand that your word alone isn’t enough for me," he said, his voice calm but edged with something firm, "so consider this time." His gaze didn’t waver. "Time to prove that you’re worthy of my trust, and the role I’ve given you."

The words settled slowly, like a weight in Estelle’s chest.

"Vance will be watching," Magnus added, almost casually. "He’ll monitor your progress. I need to be certain you can be trusted."

Estelle swallowed, her throat tight, her pulse loud in her ears as her thoughts moved quickly, searching for footing, for control in a situation that kept slipping through her fingers. "And if I’m not?" she asked.

Magnus didn’t hesitate. "Then you’ll learn very quickly," he said calmly, "what life looks like when I take everything back."