Ryan’s case was a nail-biter, a real David versus Goliath story if there ever was one. Before, simr


    cases had seen immediate death sentences handed down without batting an eye. So when Estre


    managed to snag a stay of execution, it was nothing short of a minor miracle-a glimmer of hope


    wrestled from the jaws of defeat.


    What mattered more was her grit. Against all odds, Estre clung to her conviction like a mast in a


    storm. She never stopped pushing the envelope.


    “Ms. Estre, you’re a real inspiration to us all.”


    No sooner had Estre set foot in thew firm than her colleagues started lighting sparklers, a


    makeshift celebration in her honor


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


    Basking in the glow of their praise, Estre chuckled, “ttered beyond words, truly. But the grind


    never stops, does it?”


    “Estre, you’ve really got some chops.” one of the paralegals chimed in.


    Estre yed it cool with a modestugh, far from feeling like a winner. In the legal game, it wasn’t


    about winning or losing-it was about presenting the facts and hoping for a fair shake from Lady Justice.


    Meanwhile, Kristin was pacing her living room floor, haunted by a conundrum that kept her up all night.


    Jason keeping Serene close wasn’t doing anybody any favors, and it was putting a damper on his


    rtionship with Estre. Determined to set things right, Kristin decided to confront Serene.


    They sat across from each other in a cozy diner, the air thick with the scent of freshly brewed coffee


    and pancakes. Serene’s hands were sped tightly, a bundle of nerves as she tentatively called out,


    “Ms. Kristin.”


    Taking a sip of her peppermint tea, Kristin didn’t beat around the bush. “Serene, I’ll cut to the chase. I


    want you to quit your job at Nelson International and steer clear of Jason. You’re throwing a wrench in


    his and Estre’s life.”


    Serene, gripping the edge of the table, met Kristin’s gaze with a mix of fear and resolve. “Ms. Kristin,


    there’s nothing going on between Jason and me. I’ve never had any intention of undermining his life


    with Estre.”


    But Kristin was having none of it, her patience wearing thin. “I don’t care about your intentions. I just


    want you out of Jason’s orbit and off the Nelson International payroll. Is that too much to ask?”


    Kristin’s authority was unyielding. Serene, her face flushed red, was at a loss for words. Staring at


    Kristin for what felt like an eternity, Serene finally said, “Ms. Kristin, Jason’s


    08:51 m


    keeping me around because I remind him of Holly, that’s all. He’s just struggling to let go. If I just up


    and leave, severing hisst ties to her, don’t you think that’s a bit cruel?”


    Kristin’s patience was wearing thin. “You’re not Holly, and Jason should’ve moved on by now. Besides,


    I didn’t even consider that until you brought it up. So, figure out your resignation. I don’t want to see you


    at thepany anymore. If you make me unhappy, our next conversation won’t be so amicable.”


    Kristin’s direct approach left no room for negotiation. Serene, barely able to muster a response,


    pleaded for time. “Ms. Kristin, jobs aren’t easy toe by these days. Please, give me some time to


    think.”


    Seeing that Serene had made her point, Kristin paid the bill and left Serene to ponder her next move.


    Alone at the table, Serene absentmindedly fingered the pink ne hidden under her shirt, sighing in


    frustration.


    After leaving the diner, Kristin was still troubled with concern for Jason’s entanglement with Serene.


    Determined to nip any potential issues in the bud, Kristin had her driver take her straight to


    Sandalwood Oasis, Kristin was on a mission, old-school as her methods might be, to ensure the young


    couple’s bond was solidified, perhaps with the pitter-patter of tiny feet.


    When Estre got home at seven that evening, she found her mother-inw already there, a surprise


    visit. Estre greeted her warmly, “Kristin, you’re here.”


    Kristin beamed, “Just thought I’d drop by and check on you.”


    Handing off Estre’s purse to the maid, Kristin added, “I made your favorite ribs and simmered a


    sweet dessert soup for you.”


    “Thanks,” Estre replied, a knot of pressure forming in her stomach. The subtext was clear: Kristin


    was hankering for grandkids.


    As they sat down to dinner, Kristin had justdled soup into Estre’s bowl when her phone buzzed. It


    was Jason.


    Kristin nced at the caller ID, then at Estre, who had also noticed. With a resigned. sigh, Kristin


    answered, “Hey, Jason. When will you be back? I’m just here with…”


    Before she could finish, Jason cut in, his voice cool and detached, “Mom, did you go see Serene


    today?”


    The dining room fell silent. Kristin looked from her phone to Estre, who returned her gaze. Kristin


    hesitated before answering the phone, dreading that Jason would bring up the issue she was hoping to


    avoid. But sure enough, he did.


    After a moment of silence, she figured there was no point in skirting around the topic now that Jason


    had called. She was firmly on team Estre, after all. With newfound resolve, Kristin stated boldly,


    “Yeah, I went to see her. I told her to quit her job at Nelson International and get out of your life.”


    08:51


    On the other end of the line, Jason’s voice rose in volume. “Mom, can you please not stir the pot?”


    His raised voice caused a noticeable change in Kristin’s expression, which in turn, affected Estre. It


    seemed he was once again taking Serene’s side. Thest time Estre had offered Serene a check to


    leave, Jason had thrown it back in her face.


    As Estre sat grim-faced, Kristin was gearing up for a confrontation when Jason, with a hint of


    exasperation, added, “There was nothing between us in the first ce. By confronting her like this,


    what if you actually spark some rumors? What then?”


    Kristin bristled at his words. “If you’re not interested in her, then why keep her in the secretarial pool?”


    Jason shot back, “I have over twenty secretaries, most of them women. Why would I have a thing for


    her specifically? And you-do you even realize your own status? Why did you


    do this?”


    Kristin had always lived a sheltered life, thanks to her privileged upbringing. Jason’s words actually


    struck a chord with her, and she began to suspect that her son might not harbor any feelings for


    Serene. When she looked up at Estre, Kristin saw her head down, focused on her meal, looking


    somewhat less upset than before.


    Noticing the shift, Kristin cautiously asked, “So, Jason, you’re saying you’re not into Serene?”


    08:51