They could never go back to the way things were.


    Estre hadn’t opened her eyes; she simplyy 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 Estre’s eyes fluttered open, Jason was already up, getting dressed. He


    nced over at her and casually greeted her, “Up already?”


    Shielding her eyes with her arm, Estre peeked at him and replied, “Mm-hmm.” Then added, “Had a


    dream about youst night.”


    “Oh yeah? What about me?”


    “I dreamed you took advantage of me when I was asleep…”


    Estre’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, “Estre, did you hear? Thewyer who drugged you got busted


    with a clientst night


    Estre was still processing when Bryce continued, “You missed quite the show, sleeping through all


    the excitementst 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 practicew again.” Bryce recounted the night’s events with dramatic ir, as if he had


    been there to witness it all.


    Rachel had slipped something into Estre’s drink, hoping to set her up. Jason wouldn’t want her after,


    and no one would stand up for her then. But Estre saw through her n, and Jesse unwittingly


    switched the spiked juice without Rachel catching on..


    Estre 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.


    Estre said to Jason, “You y rough, huh? But, thanks.”


    11:34


    Jason, hands still in his pockets, feigned ignorance. “No clue what you’re talking about.”


    Estreughed 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.


    Estre teased, “Or we could turn back now, finish what we didn’t get tost 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 yfully pinched her chin, “If you’re that sincere, you can


    pay back the favor tonight, with interest.”


    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.


    Estre beamed, “You got it.” Morning banter was one thing; who would remember it by nightfall?


    Estre’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 Estre. He


    had simply turned the tables on her.


    After their exchange, Jason left for his meeting, and Estre 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.


    “Estre, he’s long gone. What are you still staring at?”


    “Nothing.”


    As the trio entered the dining area, Estre nced over Ryan’s case file while absentmindedly


    nibbling on her breakfast. Bryce, ever the enthusiast, reported, “Estre, the bar association mmed


    Rachel, and there’s a bunch of dirting out about her. People are saying she used her looks to


    snatch clients, took hefty cuts, and even kickbacks.”


    Estre 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 Estre the night before seemed to be a


    reflection of her own misdeeds.


    As Estre 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 Estre’s preupation, asked, “Trouble in paradise against night?”


    Estre snapped back to the present, put down her phone, and smiled, “Nope.” No, they


    11:34


    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 Estre in the first ce. Besides, Holly’s death wasn’t Estre’s fault.”


    Then, turning to Estre, he said, “Estre, it must be that Serene chick now, right? unting her


    resemnce to Holly and acting like she owns the ce. I’ll take care of her for you.”


    The expensive ne Jason had given to Serene still irked Bryce.


    Hearing his suggestion, Estre replied with indifference, “You nning on building. schools for a


    lifetime?”


    The thought ofmitting to such an endeavor made Bryce’s head spin; he’d rather die than go


    through that again.


    Estre 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 forpeting with women. If things didn’t


    work out, she was ready to walk away-no need to seek out


    embarrassment.


    “Estre, 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,” Estre replied with a dismissive wave of


    her hand.


    The less Estre cared, the more Bryce and Jesse felt for her, the more they wanted to stand up for


    her. Seemed like the real relief would onlye 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.