Novel Square
Chapter 222
Serene had a glowing complexion, and her figure would turn heads, but there was a scar-a burn that covered a large area on the right side of her abdomen and flank, a testament to an injury so severe it couldn’t be mended. Normally, her clothes hid the scar, leaving no trace of the past trauma visible.
When Estrella accidentally splashed water tea onto her blouse, Serene’s left hand instinctively covered the scarred area on her right side, and her eyes immediately filled with tears. “This scar,” Serene said, her voice breaking, “it’s from when I saved Jason and Holly. It’s for life, beyond repair. And I’ll never be able to have kids of my own, because my skin wouldn’t hold.”
As Serene spoke, her hand trembled over the scar, and tears splashed onto her forearm and the floor. She looked at Estrella with a bittersweet smile. “So, Estrella, now you understand why Jason looks out for me, why he never forced a transfer out of the secretary’s office, and why Holly would gift me a house.”
“But Estrella,” she continued, “I don’t care about houses or cars. I just want to know who the perpetrator is. I just want to know who did this to me. Even if I have no power to take revenge, I trust the law to punish them.”
That night at the hospital, Serene’s request to Estrella wasn’t about becoming Mrs. Nelson. She wanted the truth about the fire from years ago.
Serene had kept it from Jason because she didn’t want him to see her as vindictive, nor did she want him to know that her years in the secretary’s office were partly spent awaiting the results of his investigation. However, Jason had suddenly stopped talking about the fire, as if it had never happened.
Seeing Serene’s haunting scars, Estrella began to understand the difficulty Jason had faced, although it changed nothing.
As Serene slowly dressed, Estrella asked, “If Jason couldn’t find the truth in all these years, what makes you think I can?”
Buttoning her coat, Serene replied, “Because you’re an expert in this field, and I believe you’re smarter than most men, on par with Jason and Grayson. I trust you can uncover the truth.”
“I’ll try not to let you down,” Estrella said.
When Estrella later recounted her ‘deal’ with Serene to Bryce, he just stared at her, speechless. He remarked that Jason was a tough nut to crack-how could he suddenly be open to divorce? Apparently, Estrella had nudged him toward another woman’s bed, bruising his pride. Jason might have felt betrayed. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
When it came to ruthlessness, Estrella had it in spades, teaming up with Serene just to
08.02
secure a divorce.
Bryce’s piercing gaze met Estrella’s as she playfully tugged on his ear. “Take seriously what I’ve just told you!”
Estrella still picked on him like she did when they were kids, so he grabbed her wrist and sighed, “Estrella, I’m twenty-six years old now, not six. Show me a little respect, will you?”
Estrella’s clear eyes met his, and he released her hand, serving her some food. “I’ll take
what you said to heart. Don’t worry.”
Estrella had promised to help Serene with the fire, and today’s meeting with Bryce was mainly to ask for his help with some leads.
After discussing the case, Bryce mentioned, “I transferred your dividend from last quarter-added an extra three million for my son’s upkeep.”
Bryce’s business, which Estrella and Jesse had invested in, was now profitable, and Bryce always gave them their dividends on time. He also provided for Isaac, Estrella’s son, as if Isaac were his own child.
Estrella protested, “I already have more than enough from the dividends. Stop sending extra money. I can take care of my own son.”
Bryce placed some shrimp on her plate, insisting, “He’s your son, not someone else’s, and it’s only right for me to help.”
Bryce had always been close to Estrella, and Isaac called him ‘dad’. He felt obligated.
Without further prodding, he asked about her plans post-divorce.
Estrella laughed off the question. “I’ll just live,” she said. After six years in a stagnant marriage, she was ready to embrace the freedom of being single, not rush into another romance. She wasn’t the type to depend on a relationship for fulfillment.
Bryce let the topic rest, continuing to peel shrimp for her, a task he’d taken on since they were kids, though Jesse wasn’t there today.
In the midst of their meal, Thomas called, inviting Estrella to hang out. She rubbed her forehead, feeling overwhelmed. “I’m swamped with cases. Let’s wait until after the holidays.”
Thomas wouldn’t have it, reminding her on the phone, “Estrella, you and Jason may be divorced, but we’ve known each other for over twenty years. You can’t just abandon us because of one relationship, right?”
“Look, Jason’s off on a business trip, he won’t be coming over, so there’s no need for you to avoid him,” Thomas reassured Estrella.
Estrella chuckled, “Why would I avoid him?” She hadn’t done anything wrong. What was there to hide?
08.02)
“Well then, it’s settled,” Thomas continued. “You’ll come with Bryce and Jesse tonight. We haven’t all hung out in ages.”
With Thomas putting it that way, Estrella felt compelled to agree. But then again, it had indeed been a long time since they met. Since she left Ravenwood, Jason and the others had fewer get-togethers. Grayson had invited her a few times, but due to work and Isaac, she couldn’t find the time to join in.
And then there was Jason, who had become as elusive as a ghost. Thomas had tried to catch him at his company on several occasions without any luck. Thomas had thought maybe Jason was shacked up with Holly, but after some sneaky investigating, it turned out Holly hadn’t seen him either. With that in mind, Thomas decided to stop looking for Jason. After all, Jason got a divorce because he was cheated on. Men need to keep up appearances, after all.
That evening, as Estrella and Bryce made their way to the hotel, Jason was indeed absent as expected. Grayson, Taylor, and the rest of the crew were all present except for Jason.
Thomas couldn’t help but gloat a little, hands in his pockets, “See, Estrella, I didn’t lie. Told you Jason was away on business.”
As the night was winding down and the karaoke session was nearing its end, the room’s door suddenly swung open.
Spotting the tall figure at the door, Estrella’s movements in packing up slowed down.