Novel Palace
Chapter 248
Estrella coolly stated, “Why would I do that? The last thing I need is a custody battle with them.”
Jason didn’t respond. This was typical Estrella always poised, always in control.
When the car pulled up outside the Dorvold residence, Autumn was already waiting for them, her left ankle wrapped in a bandage. Two servants were by her side for support.
As Estrella got out of the car and was about to lift Isaac out of the safety seat, Jason opened the car door a step ahead of her. He bent down and lifted Isaac out first, then carefully wrapped him in a thin blanket.
Autumn, hobbling closer, said with a hint of embarrassment, “Jason, I’m so sorry. Here you are, having just rescued Estrella, and now you’re taking care of Isaac.” She then asked with concern, “How are your injuries? You’re not straining yourself, are you?”
“It’s nothing,” Jason replied.
Autumn quickly instructed one of the servants, “Martha, take Isaac inside right away. Mr. Jason is injured. We can’t keep imposing on him.”
Autumn’s words, laced with concern for Jason created a subtle distance. Now, Autumn’s demeanor towards Jason lacked the usual warmth, but she didn’t feel awkward about it. She had done her fair share of advising and had pressed Estrella when needed. As far as Autumn was concerned, this marriage had run its course, and she harbored no regrets.
The servant rushed to take Isaac, “I’ll take Isaac inside so you can rest, Mr. Jason.”
Jason was prepared for Autumn’s attitude, and he had already noticed it yesterday at the hospital. Although Autumn came to see him, things indeed felt different.
After exchanging a few words with mother and daughter, Jason got back into the car and drove away.
Watching Jason’s car disappear into the distance, Autumn turned to Estrella and asked, “Estrella, there isn’t something going on between you and Jason again, is there?” Estrella had not come home the night before, and when Autumn tried to call, it was Jason who had answered.
Estrella reassured her, “Mom, you’re overthinking it. Besides, Isaac was with us. What could possibly happen?”
1
Over the next few days, Autumn visited Jason in the hospital daily, while Estrella was less frequent, pouring her energy into the Glimmering Lake case instead.
The second court date, set by the judiciary, was fast approaching. Estrella had managed to gather medical reports from nine families in the village, all with children, who had come forward after the mothers had convinced their families.
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Estrella had also obtained reports proving the soil and water of Glimmering Lake were contaminated, but the source of the pollution remained unverified.
One morning, after an early breakfast with Isaac, Estrella drove to the courthouse.
ChemiSphere had enlisted a well-known, highly competent attorney to represent them-a man in his forties, far more experienced than Estrella, with a legacy of numerous
successful cases.
“Ms. Estrella, a pleasure to meet you.”
“I look forward to learning from you today,” Estrella said politely, remembering his lectures from her college days.
“Let’s learn from each other.”
Outside the courtroom, they shook hands and entered.
“Plaintiff, do
you have
any new evidence in the case of the environmental contamination
of Glimmering Lake?” the judge asked.
Estrella stood up, holding the new evidence, and addressed the court, “Your Honor, regarding the contamination of Glimmering Lake, we’ve received health reports from nine village families.”
“Every member of these families is suffering from calcium depletion, malformation of bones, tooth loss, and abnormal development in children, consistent with fluoride poisoning. Independent testing has revealed significant fluoride contamination of the soil and water in Glimmering Lake.
“The primary component of ChemiSphere’s wastewater is fluoride. Therefore, we suspe that Chemisphere is responsible for the pollution of Glimmering Lake and request compensation for the
villagers’ poisoning, as well as medical accountability, and demand that Chemisphere withdraw from the area.”
Estrella presented her case and evidence with confidence, but the opposing attorney remained composed.
After reviewing the new evidence, the judge turned to ChemiSphere’s counsel and asked, “Defendant, do you have anything to say?”
The lawyer, calm and collected, stood up and responded, “We acknowledge and respect the plaintiff’s presentation of the villagers’ health reports and hospital records. We admit that the people of Glimmering Lake have been affected by fluoride pollution and that it has had significant health impacts. We sympathize deeply with the villagers of Glimmering Lake and understand the plaintiff’s desire to find someone to hold
accountable.”
As the defense attorney concluded, a shadow passed over Estrella’s face. What did he mean by ‘finding someone to hold accountable? Anyone with eyes could see the link
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between the pollution in Glimmering Lake and Chemisphere.
The opposing attorney’s gaze drifted away from Estrella as he continued, “What I don’t get is how the fluoride contamination in Glimmering Lake has anything to do with ChemiSphere. My investigation has
shown that ever since ChemiSphere set up shop by the lake, all of its wastewater has been treated with state-of-the-art equipment before being discharged.”
“Furthermore, ChemiSphere’s environmental and emissions inspections have always been up to code each year, and the soil and water quality around the facility have shown no signs of pollution. So I must ask, why didn’t you accept the reports from the relevant authorities and instead insisted on third-party testing?”
After the attorney finished, a villager sitting next to Estrella shot up from his chair with indignation. “Our village has only one factory, and that’s yours, and it’s the only place where the wastewater has fluoride in it. If it wasn’t your factory polluting our land and water, then who on earth could it be?”
The attorney looked at the angry villager and replied with a smirk, “The burden of proof lies with the accuser. If you suspect Chemisphere of contaminating the soil and water of -Glimmering Lake, then please present concrete evidence linking us to the contamination.”
“You-you’re being unreasonable. You’re bullying us,” the villager who accompanied Estrella stammered, his face pale with anger. The lot of them were just twisting words and shirking responsibility.
“Order in the court,” the judge said sharply, giving his gavel a firm rap. He turned to Estrella and asked, “Counsel for the plaintiff, do you have evidence of ChemiSphere’s pollution?”
Estrella replied with a steady voice, “Not at this time.” She added, “We will present evidence of the source of contamination at the next hearing.”
Today’s outcome was expected by Estrella, so she didn’t belabor the point, merely requesting a continuation of the trial.
“Very well, court is adjourned for today. Please present your evidence at the next session,” the judge granted Estrella’s request to reconvene, and ChemiSphere’s hope for an immediate closure was silently quashed.
As the session concluded, the judge reminded Estrella to bring new evidence next time. Estrella knew all too well that without concrete proof linking Chemisphere to the pollution, the case might as well be closed.
Outside the courtroom, several villagers from Glimmering Lake clustered around Estrella, worry etched on their faces. “Ms. Estrella, are we going to lose? Are we going to continue suffering at the hands of ChemiSphere, maybe even getting sicker?”
“These people are just vile, with wastewater clearly coming from their facility, yet they have the gall to deny it.”
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Chapter 248 Chapter
“Ms. Estrella, please, you have to help us bring them to justice. Without that, we won’t have a leg to stand on
Initially, the villagers were hesitant to cooperate with Estrella, worried about losing jobs and income if ChemiSphere left their village. But after doing the math, they realized that their wages had gone straight to medical bills and even into debt, while their health had
deteriorated.
Rather than continue living a life marred by illness and constant trips to the hospital, they would prefer to rely on their own crops and sell grain to make a living.
After ChemiSphere’s earlier insistence on self-incrimination, the villagers were even more outraged.
Estrella listened to their concerns and reassured them, “We haven’t reached the end just yet. As long as a verdict hasn’t been handed down, there’s still a chance. I’ll do everything in my power to find the evidence.”
Her determination gave the villagers a glimmer of hope. At this moment, they had no other option but to place their faith in Estrella.
“Ms. Estrella.”
”ו
“Professor.” Estrella addressed the opposing attorney with a polite nod, despite his role.
The man glanced at the villagers encircling Estrella and said with a patronizing smile, “I truly sympathize with the people of Glimmering Lake. Even if you lose this round, we’ll still offer $20,000 in consolation to each household with a hospitalized family member. Consider it Shawn doing good deeds for his own karma.”
He then turned to the villagers and added, “If you drop the lawsuit, even if no one in your family is hospitalized, we’ll give you $20,000 as a goodwill gesture.”
The opposing lawyer’s speech nearly made Estrella burst into laughter. It was evident that he was, in front of her, enticing the villagers with interests to persuade them to withdraw their lawsuit. This would just make it easier for ChemiSphere to play the victim and paint themselves as the injured party.
Damn it, how can someone with such a lack of conscience manage to run a company and make money?
The villagers exploded in anger, one young woman snapping back at the opposing lawyer while her husband, barely restrained by the older villagers, was ready to throw a punch. Several people stopped them before things could escalate. ChemiSphere was known for not letting go easily; any confrontation could lead to more trouble.
Estrella stepped in front of them, facing down the opposing lawyer Leo. “Don’t worry, professor. We’ll find the evidence we need. You might want to tell your clients to enjoy their peaceful nights while they still can.”
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The man’s face darkened. “Estrella, in our line of work, it’s wise to always have a backup plan.”
Estrella flashed a defiant smile. “I’ve always been one to blaze new trails.”
The man left without another word, casting a cold look at the villagers before turning on his heel.
As Leo’s silhouette faded, Estrella’s gaze returned to the present. After calming the villagers who had come to the courthouse, she had them driven back to the village. The case needed a breakthrough, and fast. Chemisphere’s defenses were tight, and the villagers still working there hadn’t realized the gravity of the situation and weren’t willing to cooperate.
As the business van disappeared into the distance, Estrella’s phone buzzed-it was Bryce. She answered the call. “Where are you?”
“On my way to the airport,” Bryce’s voice came through the phone. “Plane takes off in forty minutes. I’ll come to you as soon as I land.”
Estrella sighed, a sound heavy with unspoken troubles. Bryce, ever the comforting presence, said, “Hey, don’t be such a downer, big boss. I’ve got faith in you. There’s nothing you can’t handle.”
“I’ll head back to the office. We’ll touch base once you’re on the ground,” Estrella replied, her voice void of its usual vigor.
“Alright then,” Bryce said.
Hanging up the phone and putting the mobile back into her pocket, Estrella suddenly saw a sleek black Maybach pulling up in front of her. She lowered her gaze, and the window of the car slowly opened, revealing Jason’s face. Get in,” he said, his voice a mix of command and concern.
Estrella hesitated, hands buried in her pockets as she studied Jason for a moment longer. Eventually, she relented and climbed into the car.
As they drove off, silence hung between them until Jason broke it. “You were all fire and brimstone during our divorce, pulling every trick in the book. Now, just after the second hearing, you’re deflated?”
Estrella’s recent court battle had not gone unnoticed by Jason, who had sat silently at the back of the courtroom. So engrossed had Estrella been in her case that his presence had gone undetected.
Resting her right hand against her forehead, she massaged her temples. “Can’t get into ChemiSphere, and none of the workers are willing to cooperate. Plus, they’ve had plenty of time to cover up the pollution source. It’s a real headache this time.”
Estrella used to share everything with Jason. Now, with Bryce and Jesse absent, she
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found herself opening up to him, if only a little.
Jason reached over, his hand gently kneading the tense muscles of her neck. “There’s always a way through if the problem exists. Just relax a bit, don’t stress yourself out.”
“The higher-ups are pressuring for a quick resolution, and without solid evidence of the pollution source, this case might just end up going nowhere.”
“Let’s get some food first, then we can figure it out,” Jason suggested, steering the conversation away from work.
He drove them to a quaint diner, and it wasn’t until they were seated at a table, with Jason carefully placing fish fillets onto her plate, that Estrella snapped back to the present. “Why aren’t you at the hospital today?”
“Had a meeting this morning. Wrapped that up and came straight here,” Jason answered, ladling some hearty soup into her bowl.
For the rest of the meal, Jason said little, content to simply sit with Estrella, offering silent support in the way he used to. The familiarity of his calm presence was comforting. Estrella found herself watching him, lost in memories from years gone by.