Jason sat there, calm as a summer breeze, while Estrella remained frozen in her gaze upon him. When
their eyes met, Jason cracked a grin and joked, “Think you can get full by staring at me?”
After he spoke, Estrella picked up her utensils and continued her meal.
Jason refrained from any mischief, and Estrella stayed quiet as well. She had no desire to bicker over
trivial matters every time they met.
Post-lunch, Jason drove Estrella back to the law firm. This time around, he didn’t tease her or try to
take advantage of her as he had done before. He could tell Estrella was in a sour mood today. He
owed her from the past, and he knew he had to start making amends.
Pulling up to the law firm, Estrella offered a casual thanks before heading inside. Come afternoon, after
organizing the morning’s trial documents, she pondered over a breakthrough for the ChemiSphere
case.
By 5:30 PM, as the firm’s staff began to trickle out, Estrella clocked out too. Just as she stepped
outside, she noticed Jason’s sleek new Maybach parked below.
Hands buried in her coat pockets, she sighed inwardly, What was Jason up to now? Wasn’t she clear
enough the other day? Why can’t he take a hint? Why was he here again? As the car window slid
down, Jason, ever the picture of composure, simply stated, “Get
in.”
“Ms. Estrella, your boyfriend’s here to pick you up, huh?”
“Ms. Estrella, go relax a bit with yourbeau.”
Colleagues passed by, teasing, and Estrella’s head throbbed. Logan appeared, patting Estrella’s
shoulder, “What are you waiting for, Estrella? Don’t tell me you’re heading back up for overtime. You’ve
earned an early day. Go get some rest.” Logan didn’t mention the tension between her and Jason,
preferring to play matchmaker.
With more people buzzing around and Logan watching, Estrella reluctantly entered the
car
Logan leaned down and said to Jason with a smile, “Mr. Jason, make sure our Estrella unwinds
properly, it might just spark some inspiration for the case.”
Jason’s smile broadened, “Will do, Logan.”
Estrella chimed in, “Logan, we’ll be off then.”
Logan waved them off, “Get going, you two.”
The car eased forward, and Jason, gripping the steering wheel, glanced at Estrella, “Where
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do you wanna chill out? How about I find you a couple of good-looking guys to help you relax?”
Estrella couldn’t help but laugh out of exasperation. Even after all this time, he still remembered her
penchant for hiring male masseurs.Playing along, she responded, “Sure. Got any recommendations?”
Jason rolled his eyes mockingly, “You sure don’t beat around the bush.” But before he could continue,
Estrella’s phone rang.
Estrella picked up, and a stern voice came through, “Ms. Estrella, we’ve got some important matters to
report.”
Recognizing a voice from a someone from Glimmering Lake, Estrella straightened up,
ahead.”
After the call, Estrella turned to Jason, “Do you have time now? Can we head to Glimmering Lake?”
“Go
“Sure,” Jason replied without hesitation, putting aside his plans to revisit their youth over a movie for
her work.
Over two hours later, when they arrived at Glimmering Lake, the sky was already completely dark.
Earlier on the road, Estrella had already called Autumn to explain that she would be working late and
had informed Isaac.
noveldramaJason parked at the village entrance, where a group of villagers awaited them. Stepping out of the car,
Estrella and Jason were greeted by the rough village paths, which were still muddy, a stark contrast to
the cement and tarmac closer to the city.
“Ms. Estrella, we’ve convinced Alex to share some information with you,” said one of the villagers.
“Let’s talk at Alex’s house,” they suggested, and the group made their way there.
Alex, a ChemiSphere employee, was central to their investigation.Estrella was engrossed in her work, with Jason quietly accompanying her by her side. As she perched
on an aged chair, he followed suit Unfortunately, the biting cold in the village was significantly sharper
than in the city center. Having surrendered his coat to Estrella, Jason, now elegantly draped in a suit,
felt the chill even more.
“You probably aren’t used to our chill, Ms. Estrella. Why don’t you sit by the fire?” Upon noticing their
light attire, a neighbor, generously brought over his own charcoal heater.
Estrella thanked him before diving into some work-related queries. While this occurred, a young girl
who had stepped forward before, served them bowls of soup. “Ms. Estrella, you’ve probably come
straight from work, right? I’m guessing you haven’t even had dinner yet. Why not have some soup? It’ll
stave off the hunger, at least for a while.”
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Before they could politely decline the offer, the girl quickly ensured them, “Ms. Estrella, all these things
came from the city. They aren’t from the village. You have nothing to worry
about.”
The earnest words softened Estrella’s heart. Their unsuspecting kindness was overwhelming. They
should not have to bear the ruthless brunt of capitalism’s money-making machine or suffer ill health
because of it.
Jason immediately picked up the bowl and began to eat. Estrella caught sight of him, who had been a
silent pillar of support by her side all through the night, and felt a surge of gratitude. She too picked upthe bowl and started eating.
The bowl was generously filled with meat, fresh veggies, and two poached eggs. The villagers must
have been extravagant while making this since typically, every dime would have been spent on
sourcing medication.
As she savored the warm soup, Estrella’s resolve to win this lawsuit was solidified. Winning was the
only option.
After finishing her meal, Estrella dived back into work without skipping a beat. She consulted with Alex
and compiled a list of the villagers working at ChemiSphere. Armed with this list, she began her door-
to-door visits, Alex stepping forward was a significant breakthrough, making the subsequent work much
easier.
Upon leaving Alex’s house, Estrella advised Jason, “You can wait for me here. I’ll just make a couple of
house calls and be right back.”
Considering the uneven roads in the village and the dropping temperature, coupled with his light attire,
Estrella felt it was unnecessary for Jason to accompany her on these
visits.