Chapter 96
They could never go back to the way things were.
Estrella hadn’t opened her eyes; she simply lay there, her lids closed in a feigned slumber.
Jason didn’t immediately rise from his stooped position, he simply watched her. He didn’t know how long he had been watching her when he finally reached out and flicked off the overhead light.
The next morning, when Estrella’s eyes fluttered open, Jason was already up, getting dressed. He glanced over at her and casually greeted her, “Up already?”
Shielding her eyes with her arm, Estrella peeked at him and replied, “Mm-hmm.” Then added, “Had a dream about you last night.”
“Oh yeah? What about me?”
“I dreamed you took advantage of me when I was asleep…”
Estrella’s voice trailed off as Jason shot her a frosty look, prompting her to mime zipping her lips and lazily getting out of bed.
Soon after they got ready and left the room, Bryce and Jesse hurried over. Bryce, bubbling with excitement, approached her and said, “Estrella, did you hear? The lawyer who drugged you got busted with a client last night
Estrella was still processing when Bryce continued, “You missed quite the show, sleeping through all the excitement last night. The police got tipped off about some solicitation going on at a motel nearby and they swooped in. They busted in the door and there was Rachel, caught red-handed with a bunch of guys. What a scandalous scene. Future Vision already terminated her contract this morning; she’s not likely to practice law again.” Bryce recounted the night’s events with dramatic flair, as if he had been there to witness it all.
Rachel had slipped something into Estrella’s drink, hoping to set her up. Jason wouldn’t want her after, and no one would stand up for her then. But Estrella saw through her plan, and Jesse unwittingly switched the spiked juice without Rachel catching on..
Estrella didn’t have to lift a finger. Rachel’s night was doomed to end badly, regardless. But now it seemed someone had taken revenge on her behalf.
So, as Bryce spun his tale, she turned to look at Jason. She had wondered the night before if Jason really thought disposing of the drugged drink was enough, Since when was he so forgiving and benevolent? Turned out that he had his own way of handling things.
Estrella said to Jason, “You play rough, huh? But, thanks.”
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Chapter 96
Jason, hands still in his pockets, feigned ignorance. “No clue what you’re talking about.”
Estrella laughed it off, slipping her arms through his, “Come on. After doing such a big
I favor, you could at least take credit. Plus, if you’d told me earlier, I would’ve made it worth your while last night.”
Jason let her words go in one ear and out the other. He knew her too well – she only acted for her own gain or happiness.
Estrella teased, “Or we could turn back now, finish what we didn’t get to last night?”
Jason stopped to reply but she quickly added, “Right, but you have a meeting to rush to. You are running out of time.”
Jason pulled his hand from his pocket and playfully pinched her chin, “If you’re that sincere, you can pay back the favor tonight, with interest.”
Estrella beamed, “You got it.” Morning banter was one thing; who would remember it by nightfall? Estrella’s mood might well have changed by then.
Actually, the men Jason had sent Rachel’s way were the same ones she had lined up for Estrella. He had simply turned the tables on her.
After their exchange, Jason left for his meeting, and Estrella didn’t tag along. Watching his receding figure, she thought, if only Jason could treat her like he used to, they might have managed to get along fine.
But some things just can’t be undone.
“Estrella, he’s long gone. What are you still staring at?”
“Nothing.”
As the trio entered the dining area, Estrella glanced over Ryan’s case file while absentmindedly nibbling on her breakfast. Bryce, ever the enthusiast, reported, “Estrella, the bar association slammed Rachel, and there’s a bunch of dirt coming out about her. People are saying she used her looks to snatch clients, took hefty cuts, and even kickbacks.”
Estrella chuckled, “It’s interesting how people often project their own qualities onto others and suspect them of being a certain way.” The mud Rachel had slung at Estrella the night before seemed to be a reflection of her own misdeeds.
As Estrella responded to Bryce, she briefly checked the group chat messages. Future Vision’s reputation was undoubtedly tarnished Rachel had been a fixture at the firm, and her behavior was likely not unknown to Future Vision. They had allowed it
Next to her, Jesse, noticing Estrella’s preoccupation, asked, “Trouble in paradise again last night?”
Estrella snapped back to the present, put down her phone, and smiled, “Nope.” No, they
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Chapter 96
hadn’t fought, but the atmosphere was strained all the same.
Jesse persisted, “Jason still hung up on Holly?
Bryce bristled at the mention, “After all these years? If he was that besotted, he shouldn’t have gotten with Estrella in the first place. Besides, Holly’s death wasn’t Estrella’s fault.”
Then, turning to Estrella, he said, “Estrella, it must be that Serene chick now, right? Flaunting her resemblance to Holly and acting like she owns the place. I’ll take care of her for you.”
The expensive necklace Jason had given to Serene still irked Bryce.
Hearing his suggestion, Estrella replied with indifference, “You planning on building. schools for a lifetime?”
The thought of committing to such an endeavor made Bryce’s head spin; he’d rather die than go through that again.
Estrella added, “Don’t bother, and don’t you dare.”
Jason already had someone in his heart, and it wasn’t necessary to crowd it further. More importantly, she knew Jason all too well any move against Serene would only make him defend her more fiercely.
The main issue was with Jason. Even if she dealt with Serene, there would always be a Zoe or an Emily to contend with. She might as well give up on everything else in life if her days were to be consumed by endless rivalries. Besides, she wasn’t one for competing with women. If things didn’t work out, she was ready to walk away-no need to seek out
embarrassment.
“Estrella, I just can’t swallow the injustice done to you,” Bryce said, his voice tinged with protective anger.
“It’s not the first time, Bryce. You’ll get used to it eventually,” Estrella replied with a dismissive wave of her hand.
The less Estrella cared, the more Bryce and Jesse felt for her, the more they wanted to stand up for her. Seemed like the real relief would only come after sorting things out with
Jason himself.
After finishing their breakfast, the trio was about to leave the diner when they suddenly stopped in their tracks at the sight of the approaching figure.
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