Estre turned to look at Jason and couldn’t help butugh, “Well, aren’t you in the mood? Your wish is
mymand.”
But as soon as Jason finished his shower and stepped out of the bathroom, he found her back at the
computer, poring over case files. She was still wearing her sultry nightgown, but her face showed no
sign of desire.
Jason slowed his towel-drying and his expression darkened, “ying lip service again, huh?” She had
been teasing him at the bar earlier, only to lead him on.
Hearing his words, Estre nced over her shoulder, holding printed documents in hand, “I promise
I’ll make it up to you tomorrow.”
Before Jason could respond, she continued, “This case is a bitplex. I won’t be able to sleep until I
get a handle on it.”
Beneath her yful exterior, Estre was a true workaholic.
Jason tossed the towel aside and ran a hand through his hair, his tone indifferent, “Estre, you’re
running low on credibility with me. Cut out the empty promises.”
Estre set aside her work and stood up, wrapping her arms around his neck, “Are you upset?” He
removed her hands without a word,
She hugged him again, “Come on, don’t be mad. Let me sort out my thoughts, and I’ll join you for a bit
of fun. I’m just not in the mood right now.”
Again, Jason peeled her arms away, “I’m not as eager as you are. Go entertain yourself.”
Since Estre didn’t have any such intentions, Jason didn’t have much interest either. After all, it was
always Estre who initiated things, spicing the mood between them.
After being pushed away again, Estre called out with a feigned stern face, “Jason.”
Jason adjusted her slipping gown and spoke calmly, “Thought you had work to do. Get to
it.”
Seeing that Jason wasn’t really angry, Estre pushed her luck, “You’re not doing anything anyway.
Come help me sort out these case files.”
Not only did she not let him make love with her, but she also expected him to help her with the work in
the middle of the night.
Still, Jason ended up helping her.
As Estre sifted through the files, she exined, “It’s a murder case. The suspect is a boy who just
turned 20st month. His mother was bullied by her inws when he was seven. After speaking out for
her side of family, his father and uncles beat his mother to death in
front of him.”
11:30
“In the countryside, and with the whole family involved, the case just fizzled out back then. “The boy’s
mother died, and the boy’s father remarried within six months. You can imagine his life after that –
never a full stomach, but no shortage of beatings.
“At eleven, he ran away from home. I can’t even begin to imagine what he went through over those
nine years. He’s not talkative, and before I officially took on the case, I visited him twice, spending a lot
of effort to get him to speak.
“Two months ago, he returned to his hometown. He waited for the right moment and killed his father
and uncles, without harming anyone else, not even his grandparents who egged on the beating.”
Estre’s voice grew heavy with emotion. After a moment of silence, she continued slowly, “If his father
and uncles had shown a little mercy back then, the boy wouldn’t have to live with hatred his entire life.”
She paused, then added, “Back then, in the countryside, drinking pesticide, hanging, and jumping into
rivers were the exclusive ways women died. Despite the progress we’ve made, advocating for gender
equality and justice, true fairness for women remains elusive.”
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That was why she took on divorce and civil cases, no matter how trivial family disputes. seemed to
others. She listened and did everything to solve them, because you never know what dangers lurk
behind the things people take for granted.
It was rare for Estre to be so earnestly reflective, especially on such a grave subject. Jason realized
why she had previously used him of being oblivious to the hardships of the world. The legal
profession indeed exposed one to the dark underbelly of society and the failings of humanity.
Lifting his right hand, he massaged the back of her neck, and Estre let out a long sigh, “No one
should see only darkness in life, or live forever in the shadows of resentment.”
“I’m not seeking acquittal or a short sentence, just hoping to get him life imprisonment, with a chance
for paroleter on.” As Estre finished, Jason’s grip on her neck tightened. slightly, a sign of his
empathy with her heavy heart. She was indeed not in the mood for anything else tonight.
Estre gently sped Jason’s wrist, “Thew isn’t perfect, but I hope for a bit more fairness in
society.”
Estre finished, and Jason leaned in to kiss her lightly, “You work on that. I’ll go warm you some milk.”
Her mood lifted at his gesture, and she teased, “Feeling sympathetic, huh? You’re such a sucker,
Jason.”
He pinched her cheek yfully, “Focus on your work.”
11:30
With that, Jason got up to make her a warm milk, knowing her tease was meant to lighten the mood
and spare him from sinking into sorrow.
When he returned with the milk, Estre was so absorbed in her work, she didn’t notice until he called
her name. Distractedly, she drank the milk.
Then, while Estre worked, Jason sat beside her, looking over the case files. Time passed, and when
Jason looked back at Estre, she had sumbed to exhaustion, her head resting on the desk.
Carefully, he lifted her and carried her back to bed. In their own way, this was a
Next morning, as Jason woke and opened his eyes, he found Estre already awake, lying on her side
in bed, watching him. Her eyelids didn’t flutter, her eyes sparkled with light.
Seeing Jason stir from his slumber, Estre’s feet crept covertly beneath the warm cocoon of their
shared quilt, her toes yfully grazing his legs. “Was it you who swept me off my feet and into bedst
night?” she teased with a whisper.
Jason, feigning a solemn tone, brushed her foot aside. “Nope, wasn’t me.”
Estre, not one to back down easily, draped her left leg over him in a flirty gesture. “Why the two
faces, Jason? Angel by day, devil by night?”
He quirked an eyebrow. “And just what devilish face are you referring to?”
With a sly grin, Estre retorted, “You’re particrly susceptible to temptation after dark. She paused
before yfully warning, “Just make sure you don’t go around falling for every girl who drops her
panties.”
She’d been sheddingyers for more than two years, and he’d never made a move. The very idea of
him doing so with anyone else was even more unlikely.
Disgusted, he tossed aside Estre’s leg, intent on getting up. But in a swift movement, Estre flipped
over him, her fingers intertwining with his, her voice dripping with seduction. “Seems like I’ve spotted
your little tent, Jason. Should Lhelp you take care of it
now?”
A momentter, she added, “Whoa, you’re poking me there.”
11:301