Chapter 265
Half an hour later, when the villagers of Glimmering Lake took the minibus back, Estrella could finally consider her work temporarily done. She watched the bus disappear into the distance, feeling the weight in her heart lift with it. Justice had been served for the people of Glimmering Lake, and the threat of fluoride contamination was now a thing of the past. “Estrella,” Grayson’s voice called from behind, snapping her out of her reverie. She turned
with a smile and walked over to him.
“You did great, Estrella,” Grayson complimented her.
With a playful grin, she teased, “Ah, what an honor to be praised by you, Grayson.”
Grayson’s laughter brightened, and he reached out to ruffle her hair affectionately.
Estrella laughed as well. Each time she concluded a case, she experienced significant growth and a newfound clarity in her perspective.
Her laughter caught Jason’s attention, and he gently cupped her face with his right hand. “You’ve worked hard.” Others saw her triumphs and accolades, but Jason saw her
dedication and effort.
His tenderness warmed her, and she replied, “You’ve had your hands full too during this
time.”
Jason had been taking care of Isaac while Estrella was swamped with work. Isaac hadn’t retreated into himself due to Estrella’s absence, and for that, Estrella was profoundly grateful.
Ignoring the audience, Jason pulled her into an embrace, his actions speaking louder than words. Estrella was taken aback by this sudden hug. She hadn’t even been this emotional after winning the case, yet here he was, overcome with excitement.
She rested her hands lightly on his waist, teasing, “What’s wrong? Got your own
grievances? Need me to represent you in a case?”
Grayson, standing nearby, couldn’t help but chuckle at the scene.
Unfazed by Estrella’s playful jab, Jason just nuzzled into her neck and murmured, “Let me hold you.”
Estrella gently chided, tugging at his shirt, “Grayson is still here, you know.”
But Jason didn’t care. And he kissed her cheek!
Grayson was speechless. Was this the same Jason he knew?
Jason just couldn’t help it. His feelings for Estrella were too strong to hide anymore, and perhaps there was even a hint of fear in him. Fear that someone as impressive as Estrella
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might slip through his fingers.
As Jason clung to her, Estrella pushed him away with a smile, “A hug’s enough. Don’t be like Isaac, sticking around with no end.”.
But Jason was persistent. “Babe, let’s go finalize our remarriage.”
Estrella pressed a finger against his forehead, Can you hear my heartbeat? Am I moved? If I am, then we’ll go and get remarried.”
Jason simply said, “But I’m already falling for you more and more.”
Estrella teased, “Grayson might still need to eat lunch. Don’t ruin his appetite.”
Grayson interjected, “I don’t mind. You two do what you need to.”
Their conversation was joined by Bryce and Jesse’s arrival.
“Over here,” Estrella said, finally prying herself from Jason’s embrace.
“You were so cool, Estrella.”
“Thank you,” she replied, sharing a hug with Jesse.
As Bryce opened his arms for a hug, Jason swiftly pulled him back by the collar. Bryce broke into a sweat, “Man, you’re too jealous. There’s nothing between Estrella and me.”
But Jason wouldn’t budge; he kept Bryce at a distance from Estrella.
After some chatter, the group headed to a nearby private diner for lunch.
At the table, Grayson suggested, “We haven’t all been together like this in a long time. Let’s get together tonight.”
“Sounds good.”
“Sure thing.”
Estrella and Jesse quickly agreed to Grayson’s proposal.
Post-lunch, as Estrella dozed off in the passenger seat of Jason’s car parked outside the law firm, Jason watched over her silently. How had he let someone as wonderful as Estrella go? How had he missed three whole years?
Gently caressing her face, his gaze filled with tenderness, Jason leaned in for a soft kiss, careful not to wake her.
At 1:50 PM, Estrella’s phone alarm jolted her awake. Jason, startled by the alarm as well, turned to look at her.
Estrella yawned, “I should head back to the office. You get on with your day too.”
As she reached for the door, Jason pulled her back. “Is there something else?” Estrella inquired.
“I’ll pick you up this afternoon,” Jason stated.
“Okay,” she replied, but as she tried to exit the car, Jason pulled her into a deep, reluctant
kiss.
It wasn’t until Estrella was almost late for work that Jason let her go.
“Ms. Estrella, congratulations.”
“Ms. Estrella, congratulations.”
The news of her courtroom victory had spread like wildfire through the professional circles by the time she got back to the firm. Meanwhile, major media platforms were abuzz with reports about the case. Estrella had won, ChemiSphere had been sentenced, and the water utilities were already laying new drinking water pipelines while other related departments were springing into action.
The higher-ups also issued documents, establishing a special task force to investigate how Chemisphere’s quality inspections had been approved over the years. This caused a sudden panic within the departments.
Estrella’s victory in court wasn’t just a win for her and the townsfolk of Glimmering Lake, it was a victory for every average Joe standing up for their rights.
The internet was abuzz with celebration, but Estrella herself remained unfazed. She went Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.
about her business, summarizing reports when necessary, and carrying on with her life. All the online commotion seemed distant to her; her concerns were her work and her
family.
With Estrella’s win, the Nelson household was buzzing too. Estrella’s childhood friends, who had grown up with her, were now chatting about her, boasting about their close ties
Kristin and Keith even called up Jason to ask if he had been at the hearing that morni Jason said he had and sang Estrella’s praises.
As they listened to Jason, Kristin and Keith got serious and told him, “Jason, if you’re serious about getting back together with Estrella, then you two better get hitched again.” They even added, “I’m telling you, Estrella’s very popular now. I’ve had a few inquiries asking if she’s still single.”
“Just letting you know,” they said. “The rest is up to you.”
Jason responded coolly, “I know.”
Although he appeared nonchalant, Jason was far from calm inside. He didn’t need Kristin’s reminder to know Estrella was well-liked.
The school’s chat group, and the club’s chat group – they were all talking about her. After years without news, she was still as outstanding, formidable, and beautiful. To them, she was an untouchable deity..
A few brash souls even had the gall to ask Jason for Estrella’s contact info. Jason’s expression darkened as he promptly deleted those messages without a reply. If it weren’t for not wanting to appear petty, he’d have blocked them on Messenger too.
Seeing all the chatter about Estrella in various groups made Jason’s heart itch with anticipation. He was eager to clock out, pick her up from work, hold her tight and plant a fervent kiss on her lips.
She belonged to him and him alone.
So, long before Estrella’s workday was over, Jason shut down his computer and took off early from work.