Suddenly, the atmosphere became somewhat suggestive.
As Jason leaned in, Estrella swiftly pushed him away with a casual air, “I’m heading back now, thanks
for the ride.” Without waiting for a response, she opened the car door and stepped out.
noveldramaJason watched Estrella disappear into the night, his eyes laden with a depth of emotion he couldn’t
mask. Jason never imagined that, three years later, when they met again, they would end their
marriage like this.
Long after Estrella’s figure had vanished, Jason finally started the car and drove away from the Dorvold
estate.
Back at Sandalwood Oasis, while burning the midnight oil in his study, Jason
unintentionally pulled up the surveillance footage from three years ago. No matter how many times he
watched it, it always cut deep.
Unintentionally, Jason opened the evidence related to the fire seven years ago. He had it examined by
experts many times, and all the evidence was proven to be authentic. The conversations between
Estrella and Jesse were also genuine, with no falsifications. Faced with the incontrovertible evidence,
Jason felt a turmoil stirring within him and decided to shut down the encrypted files he was working on.
He then browsed through other home security feeds, catching glimpses of himself returning home in
the dead of night.
In truth, throughout the years of his marriage to Estrella, there weren’t that many nights he hadn’t come
home. It was just that on many occasions when he did return, nobody knew about it.Memories flooded back, and Jason, rubbing his temples, lost the will to work. He powere down his
computer and retired to the adjacent master bedroom for the night. Without Estrella, sleep eluded him,
his rest nowhere as peaceful as it once was.
After the party ended, everyone went their separate ways. And Estrella found herself increasingly
occupied with her caseload.
“How dare you claim our factory’s wastewater is polluting? We have state-of-the-art treatment facilities
and have never once contaminated the environment,” a defiant manager argued.
“Folks, whether your factory is polluting the environment or not, let us through to collect some samples
for testing, and we’ll have our answer,” a calm voice from the environmental agency responded.
“You want to pass through? You’re clearly targeting our facility, aiming to sabotage our livelihoods. Over
our dead bodies will we let you through,” a burly worker shot back.
ng
Estrella, accompanying the court officials to collect samples at the site of the environmental case,
found their path blocked by local villagers, all factory employees. The villagers were resolute, fearful of
being charged with violating the environment and possibly losing their jobs.
“Listen, friends, why would we target your factory? The government is committed to helping you all
thrive. We’re here for your health…”
“What health? If our factory shuts down, we won’t even have food on our table, let alone a future. And
you’re talking to us about health? Isn’t it laughable for you bureaucrats to preach at a time like this?”The presiding judge of the case, who had come to collect samples, was cut off mid-sentence by an
outspoken middle-aged man leading the blockade.
Estrella, watching the confrontation unfold, sighed heavily. The protesters were clearly prepared and
determined.
“What do you think you’re doing? Who gave you permission to cross here? This is our turf! Get lost, all
of you!”
In the ensuing chaos, a young court clerk tried to slip through but was quickly spotted and stopped by
the villagers. The situation escalated rapidly, with villagers pushing and shoving the court officials,
Estrella included. Despite her attempts to calm them, the lead instigators easily rekindled the villagers’
anger, sparking further conflict.
“Mr. Bryce, it’s urgent. Ms. Estrella and the court officials went to…” Bryce was in his office when his
assistant burst in with the news. Upon hearing that Estrella was in a conflict while on duty and now in
the hospital, Bryce dropped everything. He didn’t even bother to shut down his computer, just grabbed
his phone and keys and rushed out.
“Mr. Bryce, I…” the assistant called after him, offering to drive, but Bryce was already gon Whether in
the present or the past, Bryce was always like this-anything concerning Estrella was more important to
him than his own matters, even more crucial than earning
money.
Meanwhile, at the airport.
Jason had just landed when Drew, after ending a call, turned to him and said, “Mr. Jason, Ms. Estrella’s
been injured on the job. She’s at the hospital.”Jason’s face paled instantly. “How bad is it? Which hospital?”
“We’re not sure of the details yet. It’s at General Hospital,” Drew reported, then hesitated, “Mr. Jason,
what about the meeting.”
“Cancel it,” Jason commanded sharply.
They hurried to the car waiting outside. Drew, noting Jason’s anxiety and his decision to
08.02
forgo an important meeting, was struck by a profound realization. Jason had never let go of Estrella,
not even for a moment. Why then did he agree to a divorce?
As Jason attempted to make a call and failed, Drew turned to him, “Mr. Jason, Ms. Serene called me
when you didn’t pick up. She said Ms. Estrella’s injuries aren’t serious, so you don’t need to worry
about it.”
When Drew mentioned Serene, Jason felt nothing, and he didn’t even realize that Drew had mentioned
her. He just asked. “How ‘not serious’ are her injuries?”
Actually, for Jason, it didn’t matter what the circumstances were. If Estrella was injured and in the
hospital, it’s a big deal.
Unable to respond, Drew turned his head away looking dejected. After years by Jason’s side, Drew
was convinced: Jason still loved Estrella, deeply so. Even amidst his anger, it was only Estrella who
could stir such emotion within him.Before long, the car pulled up outside the hospital, and Jason hopped out, hurrying inside with urgency.
“Ms. Estrella, Mr. Bryce is really worried about you. The moment he heard you got hurt, he dropped
everything and came running,” said Bryce’s assistant in the hospital room, filling Estrella in on what had
just happened. “He didn’t even bother to close the confidential files on his computer.”
Bryce, hands tucked casually into his jean pockets, shot a glance at his assistant. “Enough of your
chattering. You can go back to work now.”
At the door of the hospital room, Jason paused, overhearing the conversation inside.