30 Days Till I Divorce My Husband

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?”

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.

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.”

to learning from you today,” Estrella said politely, remembering his

learn from each other.”

the courtroom, they shook hands

of the environmental contamination of

holding the new evidence, and addressed the court, “Your Honor, regarding the contamination of Glimmering Lake, we’ve received health reports from nine village

of bones, tooth loss, and abnormal development in children, consistent with

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

presented her case and evidence with confidence, but the opposing attorney remained

counsel and asked, “Defendant, do you have

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

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 between the pollution in

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

around the facility have shown no signs of pollution. So I must ask, why didn’t you accept the

has only one factory, and that’s yours, and it’s the only

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

who accompanied Estrella stammered, his face pale with anger. The lot of them

court,” the judge said sharply, giving his gavel a firm rap. He turned to Estrella and asked, “Counsel for the plaintiff, do you

“We will

expected by Estrella, so she didn’t belabor the point, merely

today. Please present your evidence at the next session,” the judge granted Estrella’s request to reconvene, and ChemiSphere’s hope for an

evidence next time. Estrella knew all too well that without concrete proof linking Chemisphere to the pollution, the case might as well be

faces. “Ms. Estrella, are we going to lose? Are

wastewater clearly coming from their facility, yet they have

to justice. Without that, we won’t have

their village. But after doing the math, they realized that their wages had gone straight to medical bills and even into

illness and constant trips to the hospital, they would prefer to rely on their own crops and sell

earlier insistence on self-incrimination, the villagers were even more outraged.

to their concerns and reassured them, “We haven’t reached the end just yet. As long as a verdict hasn’t been

At this moment, they had no other option but to place their faith in Estrella.

“Ms. Estrella.”

attorney with

you lose this round, we’ll still offer $20,000 in consolation to each household with

if no one in your family is hospitalized, we’ll give you $20,000 as a goodwill

villagers with interests to persuade

of conscience manage to run a company