and th


    Estre was somewhat surprised. Jason walked over, raised his hand to tousle her hair, then gently


    embraced her in his arms. “You’ve done a wonderful job,” he said gently.


    Estre, who had tirelessly defended her client with passion and dedication, had left Jason in awe. In


    the courtroom, she was a different person-focused, solemn, and dead serious-a stark contrast to the


    usually yful and cheery Estre.


    Estre seemed to respect thew so much, Jason couldn’t help but wonder, did she really start that


    fire years ago?


    With a faint smile, Estre responded to Jason’s concern, “Thank you.”


    This was the first case Jason had ever witnessed her handle since she started her career.


    When Logan and the others saw Jason arrive, curiosity piqued in their minds, but they remained silent.


    Logan had already sensed something was off during the meeting at the resort but chose to keep his


    suspicions to himself.


    After greeting Jason, Logan and the others decided to head back to thew firm, leaving Estre and


    Jason behind.


    Estre mentioned she wanted to visit Ryan in prison, and Jason offered to apany her. In the past,


    it was always Bryce apanying Estre.


    Half an hourter, when Estre arrived at the prison, Ryan had just been brought back.. The staff


    allowed them to meet despite the timing.


    The connection between Estre and Ryan seemed to go beyond the typicalwyer-client rtionship.


    It wasced with a deeper sense of empathy.


    On the visitor’s side of the table, Ryan, thinking Estre was worried about his mental resilience,


    comforted her. “Ms. Estre, thank you. I’m content with the two I have


    years


    left.”


    For him, the timing of his fate held little significance. Today or tomorrow made no real


    difference.


    But Estre’s next words lit up Ryan’s eyes with hope. “Ryan, we might have more than two years. You


    must keep hope alive.”


    As she spoke of good behavior and the possibility of sentence reduction, and even eventual release for


    commendable actions, she painted a picture of a world still full of beauty, urging him to look forward to


    the good in life.


    Throughout their conversation, Estre spoke inclusively, using “we” as if to share the burden of his


    journey.


    Ryan’s eyes shone with the vision of the future that Estre had described, a future filled


    11:35


    with good people and kind deeds. A faint smile graced his lips as he nodded vigorously. “Ms. Estre,


    I’ll try. I’ll hold on to hope.” He believed in all the goodness Estre spoke of, for she was the best part


    of his world.


    At this point, Ryan looked at Estre with sincerity and said


    “I hope that in the future, I’ll have the opportunity to treat you to a meal with the money I earn myself.”


    Estreughed warmly, gripping his hand firmly. “I’ll be waiting.”


    As their time together neared its end, Estre promised to bring him books and a dictionary to upy


    his mind. Knowing they would meet again, both parted without fear, hopeful for the future.


    Estre believed that Ryan, with his intelligence, woulde to terms with his past and embrace a new


    life. She held firm to the belief that life’s journey should be dotted with beauty, not just sorrow.


    Jason had been waiting outside for Estre. When she came out, he raised his right hand and gently


    rubbed the back of her neck. Jason nced back at Ryan, sensing the boy had stirred a maternal


    instinct within Estre.


    Back in the visiting room, Ryan watched them leave, wishing nothing but happiness for Ms. Estre, for


    her to be surrounded by love and cherish.


    As they left prison, Jason’s hands tightly gripped the steering wheel. He nced at Estre, “You’re


    really concerned about this Ryan.”


    Estre turned to face him. Observing his hint of jealousy, she retorted, “If you were behind bars, I


    would be concerned about you too.”


    Jason’s expression turned stoic. He freed his right hand and gently held her chin, pulling her closer to


    him. After a heartbeat, he leaned in and softly kissed her lips.


    Estre exhaled a sigh of relief once the kiss ended, “Not the best oue, but not the


    worst either.”


    Jason took hold of Estre’s right hand, lightly kneading it. His fascination for her grew as he watched


    her dedicated demeanor when she was working.


    She nced at him again, surprised that he had shown up for the trial. As she turned her gaze back to


    the road, her phone rang.


    After she ended her call with another client, Jason suggested, “Let’s have lunch together.”


    Estre checked her watch, “Next time. I have more work to attend to today.” Her case had ended,


    marking the beginning of another one.


    Jason merely looked at Estre, taking her words as an agreement. He suddenly realized how Estre


    had matured. She wasn’t the same Estre who would skip sses and neglect homework. Now, she


    held her own fort.


    11:35


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    She had her own career and loved her job passionately. Her world wasn’t only about him, Jason, and


    scheming for a family. Estre was even more devoted to work than nning for a family.


    Suddenly, Jason couldn’t help but feel that he missed an important phase of Estre’s growth her


    transition from a student to working society.


    As he parked the car in front of thew firm, Estre unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out saying, “I


    owe you a meal. Thanks for understanding and supporting my worktely.”


    She patted the door reassuringly before adding, “I have to go. You should get going too.”


    “Sure,” Jason replied nonchntly. He did not drive off immediately but stayed to watch as Estre


    disappeared into the hustle of the city. It wasn’t until she waspletely out of sight that Jason started


    his car and pulled out of the parking space.


    “Well done, Estre, on creating a small miracle today.”