30 Days till I Divorce My Husband (Estrella and Jason)

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

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Jason, Estrella entered the courthouse.

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

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

attempts to pacify them with offers

Estrella, inquiring about new evidence. Estrella stood up from her position representing the plaintiffs, “Your Honor, in addition to more medical reports of poisoning among the villagers, we’ve secured new evidence from a

the mention of an employee’s testimony, cursing the failed attempt to silence

the judge prompted Estrella to present the new

new evidence reveals that although ChemiSphere purchased wastewater treatment equipment, it was merely outdated machinery discarded

used or operated the machine for sewage treatment since its purchase. The high operational costs meant that Chemisphere only acquired this outdated

to rebut, “Your Honor, while it’s true that the equipment was acquired

company within our conglomerate, is nearly new and fully meets national emission standards. It has

this wastewater processor is a 20-year-old model, long outdated by current standards. As for your claim of its near-new condition, one must question whether it was ever properly utilized

counsel’s face darkened, “Ms. Estrella, your assumptions are baseless

responded, “Let’s not speculate on the history of the equipment. Surely, counsel, you’re well aware of the operational costs and consumption of

and charts, which illustrated the power consumption history of ChemiSphere.

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ChemiSphere’s power

as well as the processor itself. If there’s any doubt about this assertion, we could

was a relic from years past-an antiquated behemoth that was not only costly to run but also incredibly complex. Because of this, ChemiSphere never once put

against ChemiSphere, they swiftly and surreptitiously filled their wastewater discharge channels with concrete grout, hastily constructing an alternate channel. This new channel supposedly leads from

are consistent with one another. “We

even villagers who’ve been hospitalized due to severe poisoning. We implore the court to deliver justice for the people

Lake.”

murmur arose from the gallery. A villager stood up, his voice breaking through the courtroom’s tense silence, “I was one of the workers ChemiSphere hired to plug the

confirm that the machines

and food. Her dedication and compassion had won over the hearts of the community, and those who were once hesitant now stood

judge, listening to the villagers’ testimony, struck his gavel, bringing a semblance of order, “Please, everyone remain calm. We will call upon witnesses as necessary.” With the

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a hush fell over the

before delivering the verdict, “Pursuant to Article 338 of our Penal Code, ChemiSphere is found guilty of environmental contamination. Given the severity of the offense, including the loss of fertile land and the pollution of a vital waterway, we hereby sentence the legal representative of ChemiSphere, Jace, to 10 years of imprisonment. Additionally, Jace is to cover medical expenses of 600,000 yuan per villager severely afflicted

sentence and the staggering fines, Jace’s legs buckled beneath him. He turned to his lawyer in a panic, “Say something! Aren’t you supposed to be the best? How could you let us lose to this young woman? I can’t go

of!”

villagers of Glimmering Lake, who filled the gallery, voiced their indignation, “Your family’s lives matter, but what

too distraught to register their anger, clung to his lawyer, “Do something! What good is hiring you if you can’t fix