Chapter 264

Autumn reluctantly agreed to Jason’s proposal for a Saturday get-together with a forced smile, despite her reluctance. “Sure, Saturday it is.”

And just like that, plans were made.

No sooner had Jason left than Estrella noted Autumn’s discontent. “I’ve told you before not to make promises you can’t keep. Now you’ve gotten yourself into a pickle.”

Over the past few weeks, each time Jason dropped them off, Estrella never invited him inside, despite his inquiries about when he might come in for a visit. Estrella always deftly changed the subject. It wasn’t the right time.

But this time, Autumn had done the inviting herself, and Estrella felt it wasn’t her place to comment. She didn’t make the invitation anyway.

Hearing Estrella’s words, Autumn sulked, “How was I to know Jason would be so presumptuous?”

Estrella replied matter-of-factly, “He’s never been one for pleasantries.” With that, Estrella retreated to her bedroom.

Not long ago, her father had suggested that Isaac should start sleeping in his own room to foster independence and give Estrella a break. Estrella couldn’t bear the separation, so mother and son continued to share a room. Upon entering, Estrella found the nanny had already bathed Isaac and tucked him into bed.

The nanny whispered with a smile, “Miss, little saac is such an angel. Slept through his bath just like you used to.”

“Thanks, Judy,” Estrella said, approaching the crib and gently stroking Isaac’s peaceful face.

After a brief chat with Judy, Estrella took her own shower and finished up some work before finally settling into the large bed next to Isaac’s.

Come Friday, the day of the third hearing for the Glimmering Lake case, Estrella woke up early, had breakfast with Isaac, and then drove to the courthouse. Upon her arrival, Jason was already there.

The roadblock incident involving Estrella and Keegan, along with the alarming number of Glimmering Lake villagers falling ill, had captured public interest, drawing a sizable crowd of onlookers to the courtroom.

As Estrella stepped out of her car, Jason approached her, tucking away a stray lock of her hair and straightening her coat’s collar. “Just do your best and don’t stress,” he encouraged.

Estrella appreciated his acknowledgment of her hard work. After a brief exchange with Jason, Estrella entered the courthouse.

Glimmering Lake villagers had arrived, and seeing them, Estrella’s mind shifted completely to her work, pushing thoughts of Jason aside.

after, with the judge and ChemiSphere’s attorneys taking their places. The villagers seethed with

the company’s attempts to pacify them with

to Estrella, inquiring about new evidence. Estrella stood up from her position representing the plaintiffs, “Your Honor, in addition to more medical reports of poisoning

of an employee’s testimony, cursing

judge prompted Estrella to present the new evidence, leaving the opposing counsel

evidence reveals that although ChemiSphere purchased wastewater treatment equipment, it was merely

machine in treating sewage for now, from these testimonies and data, it is clear that ChemiSphere has not used or operated the machine for sewage treatment

that the equipment was acquired from another company, it’s not the obsolete product the plaintiff

meets national

of its near-new condition, one must question whether it was ever properly utilized by its previous owner, or was it merely a showpiece like at ChemiSphere?”

Estrella, your assumptions

of the equipment. Surely, counsel, you’re well aware of the operational costs

addressed the presiding judge, “Your Honor, according to our extensive research, it’s evident that ChemiSphere’s power usage doesn’t even come close to half of what’s typical for factories of its size and industry.”

entire factory’s activities, as well as the processor itself. If there’s any doubt about this assertion, we could compare it with the recent energy figures from Big Breeze’s new wastewater treatment facility.”

was a relic from years past-an antiquated behemoth that was not only costly to run but

beyond these findings, we also discovered that after we initiated the lawsuit against ChemiSphere, they swiftly and surreptitiously filled their wastewater discharge channels with concrete grout, hastily constructing an alternate channel. This new

report confirms it’s fresh grout, poured in the last two months. Excluding the sealed segment, the pollution levels in the accessible parts of the channel are consistent with one another. “We can now state with certainty that for

who’ve been

was one of the workers ChemiSphere hired to plug the

that the machines

and food. Her dedication and compassion had won over

struck his gavel, bringing a semblance of order, “Please, everyone remain calm. We will call upon witnesses as necessary.” With the judge’s words, a hush fell over the

including the loss of fertile land and the pollution of a vital waterway, we hereby sentence the legal representative of ChemiSphere,

lawyer in a panic, “Say something! Aren’t you supposed to be the best? How could you

filled the gallery, voiced their indignation, “Your family’s lives matter, but what about ours? Don’t

register their anger, clung to his lawyer, “Do something!

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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