Chapter 231

Autumn fretted, her maternal worry creasing her brow as Estrella offered words of reassurance. “Mom, we can’t shrink away just because things get tough. I mean, look at us-we live a charmed life, surrounded by all this comfort. It’s only right that we give something back to society, don’t you think?”

Estrella had won life’s lottery with parents like hers, but she knew most folks weren’t so lucky. They could toil away their whole lives and never get a sniff of the comfort she took for granted. Some didn’t even get a shot at trying. If fortune had smiled on her, then it was only fair she spread some of that goodwill around.

Before Autumn could voice her concerns, Estrella cut in with a grin. “If everyone had this mindset, fleeing at the sight of adversity or danger, how could our family have such peaceful days for doing business?”

“The good life we’re living? That’s all thanks to the sacrifices of those who came before us-the ones who fought for it, some with their very lives. So, you see, Mom, with all the privileges we have, it’s even more important that we lend a hand to those less fortunate. To create opportunities for them, to help make their lives a bit better, or at least a bit fairer.”

Estrella had never fancied herself a world-changer, but she always believed in doing her part, whether it was Ryan’s case, Lexi’s, or any of the cases she’d taken on abroad. Her goal was simple: to nudge society a smidge closer to fairness.

The pollution issue at Glimmering Lake was a case in point. Her last visit there with Logan had left an indelible mark-sickly children with jaundiced skin, villagers in their forties losing teeth. It was a travesty.

inspection after inspection, year after year, and maintain their foothold

her hand gently. “Mom, just picture it-what if we were the ones living in Glimmering

Isaac as an example, leaving Autumn at a loss. With a

Autumn’s hand reassuringly. “Nothing will happen to me, Mom. I promise. And besides, I’m doing

silent, out of arguments, Estrella just patted her mother’s shoulder.

a helpless sigh, musing that maybe

next

an update. “Estrella, word from the top is that if we don’t drum up new evidence or make headway with the Glimmering Lake case soon, we’re going to have to wrap it up. The local

sensed the need for a thorough investigation-even if it meant working under

keeping their distance, seemingly more worried about losing their livelihood if the factory shut down than about the poisons invading their homes.

Maybe we can get a couple more families to take a stand. That might buy us some time-or turn up something

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