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Chapter 65
Seeing the call was from the director, Estrella answered directly through the car’s speakerphone, “Hey.”
“Estrella, you rocked that courtroom today. The whole legal beehive’s buzzing about the case. Got a few companies just rang up asking about you; looks like they want you on their legal team.”
“Alright, I’ll head to the office now and we can chat more then.”
you
“Estrella, you haven’t grabbed a bite yet, have you? What do you fancy? I’ll order something. Steak and pepper potpie, right? I’ll get it ordered so it’s hot and ready when you arrive.”
“Thanks, Logan.”
Even after hanging up, the smile lingered on Estrella’s face, her spirits clearly lifted. Winning a case always gave her a sense of accomplishment, a feeling that life was truly meaningful. This joy was something she couldn’t find under the comfortable shade of her family’s business.
A short drive later, she arrived at the law firm, devoured the potpie the director had ordered for her, and plunged back into her work with full gusto.
At half-past eight, Grayson called to say they were knocking back a few at the bar and invited her over. Only then did Estrella realize the office was empty and work hours were long over.
Having just wrapped up her tasks, she stretched, shut down her computer, packed her files, and clocked out.
Meanwhile, at the bar.
Bryce and Thomas’ phones were confiscated by Jason and placed on the coffee table. As Jason lazily leaned back on the sofa, watching the two with a nonchalant expression, both Bryce and Thomas were on the verge of tears.
“Jason, I messed up. Give me a couple of days off, and I’ll get back to working on the school project.” Thomas found Jason’s silence more terrifying than any outburst.
Bryce chimed in hurriedly, “Didn’t we settle my debt already? What’s this about?”
Bryce’s pitiful look earned him a tap of ash from Jason’s cigarette. “Let’s talk about the debt you racked up hiding out at Estrella’s.”
Bryce, whining, said, “Can’t you just lump it into one big bill?”
Before Jason could respond, Bryce continued in a teary voice, “That place was hellish. We
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had to get out of there. Ask Thomas if you don’t believe me.”
Thomas nodded vigorously, “He’s right, Jason. That place was no place for humans. My skin’s peeling off.”
Once the golden boys who turned heads everywhere they went, they now lamented their lack of second glances on the street. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!
Jason, unimpressed by their defense, asked coolly, “Is that all my fault?”
“No
way, absolutely not,” they both shook their heads in unison.
Seeing Jason was still not appeased, and considering that he hadn’t divorced Estrella yet, Thomas suspected Jason was taking out his frustrations on them. So, he quickly shifted gears, “Give us another shot, Jason. We’ll go find Ella, and convince her to sign those papers. We’ll pull you out of this mess.”
Just a few days ago, Thomas had begged Estrella over the phone to save his skin. And Estrella had agreed to go through the divorce, even if it was real. Thomas believed that if he showed up on Estrella’s doorstep himself, he was sure to seal the deal.
Bryce also pleaded, “Jason, if you hadn’t exiled me last time, I’d have sorted your divorce already. Just give me and Thomas another chance. We won’t let you down.”
After their pleas, Jason’s gaze was icy as he stared at them, his expression unreadable.
On the side, Grayson and Taylor exchanged glances, sensing that things were getting more interesting. They vaguely seemed to understand why Thomas and Bryce were reassigned. The two youngsters clearly lacked the finesse to navigate the situation.
Continuing indifferently, Jason suggested with a half-smile, “And you are gonna find. Estrella someone better maybe?”
His words left Thomas stunned. How could Jason know about his conversation with
Estrella?
Staring at Jason in shock for a moment, Thomas quickly shook his head. “No. way. We’d never set Estrella up with another guy. Even if she did divorce, we wouldn’t do that.”
Bryce added, “Exactly. Besides, my Ella’s a catch. She’s gorgeous. She doesn’t need setups. Guys would line up for her all the way down to the courthouse-”
Before Bryce could finish, Thomas turned pale and kicked him, “Bryce, if you want to dig your own grave, leave me out of it.”
“I was just stating the obvious,” Bryce protested.
Thomas cut him off again, “Even if it’s true, you can’t just blurt it out. That’s like calling Jason blind, isn’t it?”
After Thomas’ comment, Jason’s gaze fell on Bryce, and he said emotionlessly, “Bryce,
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you’re up. Tell me, how would you like to meet your maker?”
“Jason!!” Bryce cried out. “I’m your flesh and blood. I’ve already agreed to help you. Why can’t you let this go? You’ve got to respect our family ties.”
“What’s going on here? Quite the party.” Just as Bryce finished his plea, Estrella burst in, taking in the scene.
Thomas and Bryce, looking like they’d seen a lifeline, quickly pulled her in, “Ella, you seriously planning to keep living like this?”
Estrella immediately caught on: they were being punished by Jason. No wonder Grayson had insisted on calling her over.
Estrella said with a grin, “That’s really up to Jason. I’m not one to force things. After all, not one likes a loveless match.” With those words, she gave the two a lifeline they
desperately needed.
Jason’s expression had turned darker since a moment ago, and Grayson, ever the composed one, casually reminded them, “Estrella, I think Bryce and Thomas might have gotten the wrong end of the stick with Jason here.”
Grayson was a few years older than Bryce and the others, which lent him a more steady demeanor, and a clearer perspective on things.
Estrella, taking note of Grayson’s words, turned to look at Jason. Catching him shooting her a frosty glance out of the blue, she nonchalantly asked, “Is Mr. Jason in a bit of a
mood?”
After that, she turned to Bryce and Thomas with a commanding air, “Bryce, Thomas, read the room, will you? Jason’s over here brooding Go on, pour the man a drink.” Estrella carried herself as if she owned the joint.
Bryce and Thomas, heeding Estrella’s direction, hurriedly filled a glass for him, “Jason,
let’s have a toast.”
“Bro, drink up.”
After both had poured drinks for Jason, Estrella added, “To lift Jason’s spirits, tonight’s round is on me.”
With that declaration, Jason looked up at her, “Did you hit the jackpot or something?” It was clear to everyone there that Estrella was in an exceptionally good mood that evening. At Jason’s question, Estrella sauntered over to him and plopped down on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck with a playful ease.