Estre’s reminder drew a pained smile from Serene as she looked at her and said, “Yeah, you’ve


    never been involved, or interfered, because you never saw me as a rival.”


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    At this, Serene suddenly burst into tears, “But what should I do now? What can I do? You have Jason


    looking out for you. Holly is cherished by family, and protected by parents and a brother. But I have


    nothing. I can’t even have children of my own. Why did I have to be so foolish? Why did I get so


    emotionally involved and save them? And that fire, what was that all about?”


    As Serene wept uncontrobly, Estre sighed and handed her a tissue, her voice steady and calm,


    “Even though you can’t have children yourself, with today’s advanced medicine, you can still be a mom.


    Jason and Holly won’t abandon you.”


    “As for that fire, believe it or not, I genuinely don’t remember that period. I only found out the truth after


    our agreement, from Jason. I didn’t tell you right away because I’m still trying to make sense of it.” She


    paused before continuing, “Once I figure it out, I’ll exin everything to you.”


    Estre’sposure only made Serene smile bitterly as she said, “Estre, Jason really loves you.”


    When Serene was his secretary, she’d fantasized, however briefly, about a spark of hope, about love


    blossoming over time. But now, knowing that Jason was aware it was Estre who had started that fire


    and still chose to marry her, and to be with her, Serene realized just how wide the gap was between her


    and Estre in his heart. Strictly speaking, Serene never caught Jason’s eye. In their eyes, she was


    nothing more than a court jester.


    Estre said with reason, “Don’t worry, Serene. I’ll get to the bottom of this, not just because you want


    the answers, but for my own vindication.”


    Serene stared directly at Estre, her sadness subsiding, “Okay, I believe you.”


    Then she added, “I know Holly only gave me these proofs to use me against you, and to stir up drama.”


    After her emotional outburst and witnessing Estre’s rational demeanor, Serene began to regain her


    composure.


    Standing up from the couch, Serene looked at Estre seriously, “I don’t want to be anyone’s pawn


    anymore. So Estre, you have to find out the truth.”


    On her way over, Serene had felt something was off. Estre was straightforward. She was not one to


    shirk responsibility for her actions.


    Serene didn’t have the ability to unravel the mystery herself, so she would let those capable take


    charge. Holly could forget about using her as a pawn any longer.


    00.10


    Between Holly and Estre, Serene admired Estre more, even though Holly had given Serene an


    apartment. At least Estre had never used her..


    After Sérene left, Estre massaged her temples, feeling drained. Serene was smart, and so was Holly,


    but when clever minds collided, things gotplicated.


    That evening, when Jason came to pick up Estre from work, she was still feeling down, weighed by


    various intricate issues.


    As soon as she got into the car, Jason noticed her mood. Leaning over to buckle her seatbelt and


    giving her a quick kiss, Jason asked, “Trouble at work?”


    Jason remembered back when they were still in school, Estre used to tell him everything and discuss


    any issues with him. Jason missed the bond they had shared during those times.


    Estre said, “Holly handed all that evidence to Serene, who came looking for me this morning. It’s


    giving me a headache.”


    Jason’s expression darkened at the mention of Holly and Serene. After starting the car, he said with a


    cold chuckle, “Using Serene to uncover this mess, trying to pit her against you. Holly sure knows how


    to y her games.”


    They both knew Holly’s intent: to sow discord.


    At Jason’s coldugh, Estre replied, “Thankfully, Serene isn’t blinded by emotion. She calmed down


    after her initial outburst.”‘


    As the car pulled away from thew firm, Jason said casually, “Serene’s no fool. She won’t be


    manipted like that. If forced to choose between you and Holly, Serene would trust you.”


    Then he added softly, “She just gets too caught up in her own head. If she were a little more rational,


    she could’ve had a happy family life by now.”


    At this, Estre chuckled, “As if you didn’t lead her on. Would she have had hope if it wasn’t for you?


    Now you’re acting all innocent.”


    Jason said, “At the time, I was upfront with her, I was merely using her to get your attention. Drew even


    tried introducing her to potential partners, but I couldn’t force her if she wasn’t willing.”


    Estre, eyeing him sharply, countered: “Then why were you so intent on forcing me to be with you?”


    Jason gripped her hand gently, kneading it, “We’re family. We don’t keep score like that.”


    Estreughed, exasperated, “You’re something else.” After a sigh, she vented, “Holly is the real


    challenge.”


    Jason replied simply, “Ignore her.”


    09:49


    Estre countered, “Ignoring her won’t make our lives any easier.” Then, looking at Jason, she asked,


    “Do you think Holly had something to do with that fire?”


    If she had died, no one would have suspected her, but not only did she survive, she stirred up trouble,


    making it hard for Estre not to suspect her of ying a dangerous game.


    At Estre’s suspicion, Jason squeezed her hand, “I’m already investigating her.”


    “Why didn’t you tell me?”


    “I’m telling you now.”


    Estre had been too busy, too exhausted to keep her eyes open, and Jason didn’t want her to be


    overly affected, and overwork herself


    After Jason finished speaking, Estre’s phone buzzed again with a call from the client. She wrapped


    up the call just as they arrived home. With the year-end festivities in full swing, and Isaac having the


    day off from his preschool sses, Autumn decided to take her grandson out for some fun.


    Even though Estre was a single mother, it didn’t affect Autumn’s showing off of her grandson in the


    slightest.


    It was around nine-thirty when Estre emerged from the shower. As she stepped out of the bathroom,


    Jason swept her up in an embrace from behind. Estre nced back at him, only for her attention to


    be diverted by the ring of her phone once more.


    Expecting another call from the client, she picked it up to find Kristin’s name on the screen. Turning to


    Jason, she said in a half-joking tone, “Knock it off, it’s your mom calling.”


    With that, she answered the phone, her face breaking into a smile as she greeted, “Hi.”


    Jason couldn’t help but chuckle and yfully nibbled her ear, a gesture both affectionate and flirtatious.