The judge banged his gavel again and reminded sternly, “Please, intiff and defendant, mind your


    emotions.”


    N?velDrama.Org content.


    Heeding the judge’s advice, both parties simmered down, their anger barely contained.


    The judge turned to Nick’swyer and inquired, “Counsel for the defense. Do you have anything further


    to add?”


    Nick had chosen a middle-aged male attorney who, upon the judge’s query, stood up said, “Your Honor,


    my client has made his position abundantly clear. I have nothing further to add at this time.”


    and


    The judge then looked towards Estre, “Counsel for the intiff. Are you able to present any further


    evidence at this point?”


    Estre replied, “Your Honor, we have no further evidence to present today. Therefore, we request an


    adjournment until the next session.


    “Very well,” the judge addressed Estre, “but please be prepared to present any additional evidence


    before we reconvene.”


    ||


    Estre acknowledged, “Understood, Your Honor.” If they couldn’t produce anypelling evidence


    next time, the case would effectively be closed, and Nick would walk away without a scratch.


    The judge announced, “Court is adjourned for today regarding the case of Lexi Hart’s injury. Both


    parties will be notified of the date for the next hearing in due course. The defendant, Nick, is instructed


    not to leave Ravenwood until the conclusion of this case.’


    And with that, the session concluded, leaving Lexi’s family with little advantage aside from the charges


    filed against Nick.


    As the group made their way to the parking lot in front of the courthouse, Jeffery and Haley spotted


    Nick emerging and, with eyes red with fury, osted him, “Nick, you’re heartless! You’ve ruined my


    daughter.”


    Dressed in a branded sportswear ensemble, Nick approached Lexi’s family with his hands in his


    pockets, his demeanor casual as he said, “Inws, let’s not jump to conclusions or hurl insults. I’ve


    already said this has nothing to do with me. Why don’t you wait for Lexi to wake up and exin it to you


    herself? And really, I was quiteposed in there, given how you’re pinning this on me.”


    Jeffery and Haley trembled with rage. Haley was too upset to stand steadily, let alone hurl usations


    she desperately wanted to. How dare he defend himself and smear her daughter’s name, insinuating


    that she was unfaithful. Haley knew her daughter better than anyone. She couldn’t be that kind of


    person.


    09.07


    Jeffery and Haley were livid and unable to utter a word. Nick turned his gaze to Zoey, his expression


    darkening considerably. Pulling his hand from his pocket, he pointed at Zoey. “Are you using me of


    murder, Zoey? That’s pretty harsh.” After his remark, he casually spat on the ground and sauntered off


    with a carefree swagger.


    Estre remainedposed, watching the scene unfold. She had dealt with types like


    Nick before.


    Once Nick was out of sight, Zoey looked at Estre with tears in her eyes. “Estre, do you believe my


    sister’s injury and fall have nothing to do with him?”


    Estre watched Nick’s retreating figure. “I’ll bring him to justice.”


    ‘Estre’s determination and calmness inexplicably soothed Zoey and her parents, instilling in them a


    belief that she would uncover the truth and secure justice for their daughter.


    After consoling Zoey and her parents and discussing the next steps for the case, Estre suggested


    they head home. Zoey offered to treat Estre to dinner, but she declined, suggesting they wait until the


    case was resolved. Estre encouraged Zoey to take her parents to rest. Zoey reluctantly agreed and


    left with her parents.


    After watching them depart, Estre turned to find her own car, only to discover it was sitting unusually


    low. Upon closer inspection, she found all four tires punctured, the car sagging lifelessly. It didn’t take a


    genius to figure out that Nick was behind this petty act of revenge, upset that she had taken on Lexi’s


    family’s case.


    Shaking her head in frustration, Estre was fuming. What a low blow!


    Nick’s juvenile stunt only steeled Estre’s resolve to win this case. She couldn’t let a man like that get


    the best of her, especially since held likely seek revenge on Zoey if given the chance.


    As she pulled out her phone to call for a ride, a sleek ck car pulled up beside her. “Estre.”


    Turning, she saw the window slowly roll down to reveal Korey’s face, “Estre.”


    Surprised, she greeted him, “Korey.”


    “Get in. I’ll give you a lift,” he offered.


    With her car out ofmission and Korey conveniently right there, it seemed more awkward to refuse


    than to ept. So, she hopped in.


    The car started moving, and ke, the driver, nced back and offered a polite “Ms. Estre.”


    She smiled back at ke and turned to Korey, Were you around here on business?”


    “Just doing a routine check of the prosecutor’s office,” Korey replied before probing, “What


    09:071


    happened to your car? The tires seem to be damaged.”


    “Likely the work of the defendant,” she said.


    Korey’s concern was palpable as he suggested, “I’ll have someone look into it, and I’ll ask Doug to


    assign a couple of ex-military guys to follow you discreetly.”


    Estre couldn’t help butugh, “It’s not that serious. Besides, he wouldn’t dare make a move now, or


    he’d be the prime suspect. And once this case is over, he won’t have the chance.”


    Besides, if anyone should be arranging protection, it’d be Jason, not Korey. If Jason found out, it could


    cause a ripple of unease not just for her but for the entire Nelson and Ledford families. She thought it


    best to let everyone live peacefully.


    Korey’s features softened at Estre’s words, and he chuckled, “Estre, you’re still as sharp and self-


    assured as ever.”


    With a yful smile, Estre quipped, “Guess that’s all I’ve got going for me.”


    “Nah, you’ve got plenty of good attributes,” Korey retorted, still smiling.


    Estreughed in response.


    Later, Korey offered to take her out for lunch. Just as they were contemting where to go, ke


    pulled up right in front of the diner, so Estre ended up grabbing a bite with Korey.


    After they finished their midday meal, Korey dropped Estre off at thew firm. She toiled away the


    afternoon until the clock struck seven. The world outside was shrouded in darkness, the building


    emptied of its workforce. Estre finally powered down herputer and called it a day.


    By the time she arrived home, Jason was still out. She was worn out, so after a quick shower, she


    copsed onto the bed andy there motionless. Exhaustion weighed heavily on her, yet her mind was


    a whirlwind of thoughts. She tried closing her eyes for some rest, but sleep eluded her.


    She wasn’t sure how long she’d been lying there when the bedroom door creaked open, and Jason


    returned. “You’re back,” she greeted him, her voice barely above a whisper, drained of energy.


    Jason, noticing her lethargy, hung up his tie and approached the bed, gently caressing her face.


    “What’s got you looking so wilted?”


    Estre didn’t shy away from his touch, herrge, dewy eyes gazing into his, intoxicating him with their


    vulnerability. It was a look reserved for moments when she felt deeply wronged or was profoundly


    downhearted. In the nearly 24 years he’d known her, he’d seen that expression less than a handful of


    times.