At that moment, Estre caught Jason’s gaze as he was already watching her.


    Their eyes locked, and with an air of calm, Estre said, “Answer it.”


    Jason’s heart skipped a beat, his nerves frayed. But faced with Estre’s unyielding stare, Jason


    reluctantly answered the call in front of her. It was the only way to clear the air.


    “Jason,” came Serene’s voice through the phone, already tinged with a sob.


    It had been a while since Serene had been involved in Jason’s work, and their contact had dwindled.


    The unexpected call today likely meant trouble was afoot.


    At the sound of her “Jason,” Jason nced up at Estre again. To his relief, her expression remained


    mostly unchanged.


    On the other end, Serene’s voice, now choked with tears, cried out, “Jason, my mom’s sick again. She


    trashed the house, and she hurt Vincent, Jason, I…”


    “I’m just so exhausted!”


    After her confession, Serene burst into tears. Soon after, her brother’s voice came through, “Jason,


    why has my mom be like this? She just hit me and my sister. Jason, I miss you so much! It’s been


    so long since I’ve seen you.”


    Following Vincent’s plea, Serene, through her tears, said, “Jason, I’ve been trying to calm Vincent down


    for ages. He must have been scared tonight and kept asking for you, saying he wanted to see you. I


    know you…”


    Before Serene could finish, Jason cut her off, “I understand.”


    “Jason, I’m so sorry! Really, I am!” Serene’s apology was met with silence as Jason ended the call.


    When he looked back at Estre, her gentle demeanor had vanished.


    He cleared his throat awkwardly and was unsure of how to exin the situation to Estre. She spoke


    first, “They all seem to miss you so much. Why don’t you go?” She added, “I’lle with you.”


    Jason eyed Estre with suspicion. She simply smiled. “Don’t worry, I won’ty a finger on the kid.”


    After her reassurance, the sizzling sound of ribs cooking pulled their attention. Seeing that the ribs


    needed attention, Jason hurried to tend to his dish and called Marie to take over the kitchen. He set off


    for Serene’s ce with Estre in tow.


    Although he was hesitant to bring Estre along, refusing now would seem like he had something to


    hide. Estre’s insistence on joining him, as if on a mission to catch a cheater, made Jason nervous,


    but at the same time, he felt valued by her concern.


    Serene lived in an old apartment block with no elevator. Jason parked the car and led


    00.151


    Estre up the stairs. He noticed the hallway lights were out. With one hand, he guided Estre, and


    with the other, he lit the way with his phone.


    Estre turned to Jason and asked, “She lives in such a rundown ce. Why haven’t you offered her a


    house?”


    Jason shot her a look. “I haven’t given you a house, so why would I give her one?”


    He’d dly pay if money could solve his obligation to Serene, but cash couldn’t settle some things.


    Estreughed at Jason’s retort,pletely forgetting about the ne he had given Serene. She


    wasn’t one to dwell on the past unless pushed to her limit.


    Upon reaching the fourth floor, Jason knocked on the door. Serene opened it, her eyes red with tears


    as she lunged toward Jason, “I knew you’de, I just knew…”


    Instinctively, Jason stepped back, holding the door wide open. As the light from inside spilled out,


    Serene’s eyes shifted to the figure beside Jason, her expression turning to one of shock. The tears


    stopped as she stared at Estre in surprise. “Estre.”


    It never crossed Serene’s mind that Jason would bring Estre, let alone that Estre would agree to


    come.


    Estre acknowledged her with a hod, then nced around the chaotic interior. The sparse furniture


    that could be smashed was indeed in ruins.


    Serene shifted ufortably but politely offered, “Jason, Estre, would you like toe in?” Had


    Jason arrived alone, Serene would have already pulled him inside.


    Without a word from Jason, Estre said, “We’vee this far. Let’s go in.”


    Serene stepped aside, letting them through. As they entered, she awkwardly said, “After my dad left,


    mom’s been struggling, having her moments. I apologize for the mess, Estre.” Her apology was


    directed solely at Estre as if Jason were already part of the family.


    Estre inquired, “Hasn’t the culprit been caught yet?”


    “Drew found the culprit a while back and had him sentenced,” Serene replied, then turned to Jason,


    “Thanks to Jason. Otherwise, the criminal would still be atrge.”


    Estre observed Serene’s disheveled state. She knew that if it were up to Jason, Serene wouldn’t be


    left in such dire straits unless she refused help. Perhaps she was ying the long game, seeking


    sympathy with her pitiable situation. Once a man felt sympathy andpassion for a woman, it was


    hard to let go. That was why Jason had kept Serene around, not just because she resembled Holly but


    also because of her vulnerability.


    After a tour of the apartment, Estre’s gaze returned to Serene, who quickly hid the pink diamond


    ne under her clothes. In truth, if it hadn’t been for her fidgeting with her ne, Estre might


    havepletely forgotten about the piece of jewelry, let alone


    09:45


    Bada Band And stuck to


    News Vason I dunno what


    even notice the one adorning her own neck. But that subtle gesture had jogged her


    memory.


    Estre couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly. This woman was incredibly perceptive.


    “Jason.” The room fell into a hush until Vincent burst out from inside, a Band-Aid stuck to


    his forehead.


    He scampered over and grabbed Jason’s hand, the boy blurting out, “Jason, I dunno what got into


    Mom today. She went totally nuts, smashed stuff all over the house, and she ever hurt my head.” He


    touched the Band-Aid gingerly. “She hit my sister, too. Then sis gave her some meds, and she finally


    crashed.”


    Only after he finished spilling his concerns did Vincent realize there was someone else beside Jason, a


    lady no less. Suddenly, on high alert, he darted behind Jason and peered out, “Big Bro Jason, who’s


    she?”


    Jason replied, “She’s my wife, E.”


    Vincent eyed Estre warily, not bothering with hellos or formalities.


    Estre didn’t mind.


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    After scrutinizing her for a moment, Vincent, still clutching Jason’s hand, ventured, “Big Bro Jason,


    there’s a couple of math problems that’s got me stumped. Can you help me


    out?”


    Jason, hearing this, turned his gaze to Estre.