Jasper replied, "Let's be more optimistic, Esther. Don't give up hope for your children's sake. Felix and Pixie will make new friends at school, and your reputation will influence how they are treated."Remember how we were alienated and bullied as illegitimate children? We were humiliated in the name of justice. I'm sure you wouldn't want that for your kids, right?"Esther's focus shifted, thanks to Jasper's words. She no longer wallowed in the sadness that Bradley gave her. She now shone like a bright piece of jewelry, basking everywhere around her with her brilliance."I feel much better now, Jasper," Esther confessed.Jasper let out a heartfelt smile and teased, "I'm a little thirsty from all that talking. You go ahead and accompany your children."By the way, take care of Felix's mental health while you're looking for Pixie. Children have very sharp senses, so he might feel insecure if he thinks you don't love him anymore while you're looking for Pixie.""Okay, I'll go be wi
Sunshine and Felix were arguing in Esther's arms."I'm a genius! You're the stupid one!" Sunshine retorted."No, I'm the genius!" Felix stated.Sunshine mocked him. "Nah-uh, you're just a scaredy cat and a crybaby…"Felix rebuked, "You… You're a tigress!"Esther quickly held them apart. "You're both good children. Play nice, okay?"Felix was the first to apologize. "I'm sorry, Sunshine."Sunshine followed suit. "No, I'm sorry, Felix. I shouldn't have called you a scaredy cat."Sunshine hugged Felix tightly, and he hugged her back."We're okay now, Mommy!""We've made up!"Esther heaved a sigh of relief. She was terrified they might end up fighting for real. She was a new mother and didn't know how to handle her children's arguments.She thought about how things would be when Pixie came back. She would have three children to take care of. What if they fought? How would she make sure they all knew how much she loved them?The sound of a car engine caused both children to loo
"Plagiarized?" Esther seemed surprised. Anna massaged her temples and sat down to take a sip of the juice the service staff had made. "It's an affordable luxury series targeting young women aged 25 to 35. Our competitor paid off the original designer to sell her designs to them."The problem now is that we can't launch our products even if we do sue the designer. The company must come up with another design before the launch. Otherwise, we'll become the laughing stock in our industry for being unable to deliver due to plagiarism."Esther had done some design work in the past, but it was for Anna's personal exhibition, so she wasn't under any pressure. Now, Anna was asking her to do some very important work, and Esther wasn't sure she was up to it."I don't think I'll be able to do a good job," she said.Anna held Esther's hands and looked her in the eye. "Trust me, Esther, I know you can do it.""I can't. I… I don't think I can," Esther mumbled.She felt the weight on her shoul
Anna was stunned. "What?! How could you possibly have been seen when you put on such a convincing disguise?"Esther's movements faltered for a moment as she tried to recall everything that had transpired before she said, "Maybe someone found out who I really am when I exposed myself to the church and told Bradley about it. After all, nobody would resist the temptation of being paid."The people paid to pass on information to Bradley wouldn't care about Esther's safety or what she had gone through. Their sole concern was the money deposited into their bank accounts."What could you possibly have done to deserve to be haunted by a man like him?" Anna wondered.Initially, Anna thought Bradley was an attractive and mature man, someone any woman could spend their life with. Now, she realized he was a heartless monster.Esther's voice was filled with solace and sadness. "If Bradley had any empathy, he would never have done such heinous things to a woman who bore his children. It's my fa
Jasper was surprised that Esther wanted to divorce Bradley. "Are you sure about this, Esther?""I'm sure," she replied.Esther looked at Felix, who had become much happier since being with Sunshine. She also thought of Pixie, who would soon be back with her. "I can't stay trapped in this unhappy relationship anymore. I am still young and shouldn't confine myself to just having love in my life.""Okay, I'll introduce you to the best divorce lawyer in Capitus," Jasper said. "If you can win custody of Pixie during your divorce trial, the church won't have any more reason to hold onto her.""Yes, that's right." Esther knew that she couldn't stay foolish anymore. As long as Bradley had something over her, she would be forced to play by his tune. She would never be free from his grasp."Esther, I'm sure your future will be really bright," Jasper stated.A while later, Jasper sent the contact for the divorce lawyer.Esther took into account their time difference before returning to the
Tanya smiled faintly before reassuming her professional demeanor. "Ms. Quill, I am now officially your lawyer for this case. I will send you a digital copy of an agreement that I need you to sign and send back to me.""Okay." Esther was filled with fighting spirit since she decided to sue Bradley. "Ms. Hill, may I ask how high my chances of winning this lawsuit are?""One hundred percent," Tanya replied.Tanya had not felt this much dopamine in a long time. She wanted this upcoming lawsuit to be the talk of the town. She wanted everyone to know how outstanding of a divorce lawyer she was. She wanted other women who were not as courageous as Esther to follow her lead and take that first step toward the greatest moments of their lives.Tanya knew many women wanted a divorce but were too afraid to even initiate it. They were worried about the custody of their children, afraid that they would not be able to raise them properly if they got a divorce.Most women had a weakness, and men
Felix and Sunshine looked extremely cute when they heard this and said, "We support you!"Anna was surprised by how in sync the two children were. She chuckled helplessly and asked, "Do you two even know what's happening?""Felix's Daddy's a big meanie and a very bad man!" Sunshine said, placing her hands on her hips. "You must divorce him, Mommy!""Mommy, if the judge asks whether I'll choose to stay with you or Daddy, I'm definitely choosing you!" Felix said, wiping the tears from Esther's eyes. "It's okay, Mommy. I'll protect you."Esther held Felix and Sunshine tightly in her arms, overwhelmed by her emotions. She had been naive in the past, thinking Bradley was her entire world and that losing him would make her life meaningless. But now, she finally realized that her children meant the world to her. She couldn't live without them, not Bradley.She knew she could fearlessly face whatever obstacle was in her way as long as her children stood by her side."I'm so happy! So, so
Esther had unknowingly written over 1,000 words, capturing their first encounter, deep affection for him, misunderstandings, and final decision to part ways.As words turned into sentences, their once passionate and sweet love faded into a distant memory between the lines.Finishing her letter, Esther couldn't hold back her emotions any longer. She hugged her knees, burying her head in her arms, and burst into tears.After a while, Esther wiped her tears and sent the document to Tanya.Initially, Tanya did not intend to read it, but her curiosity got the better of her. Esther's words carried a strong sense of immersion, allowing Tanya to witness a young girl's pure passion burning throughout her youth.Tanya: [Got it. I'll notify you when it's ready to be published. Feel free to register an account when it's ready. Leave the rest to me.]-The mountainous workload of the auditing team prevented Bradley from leaving the city. Despite his anger, he endured the audit, anxiously che
Bradley's brazen words made Gabriel raise an eyebrow, and his scrutinizing gaze on Bradley intensified.Unfazed by Gabriel, Bradley calmly stated, "Mr. Sinclair, when I visited Shane recently, he handed me some video footage. It showed Esther being assaulted and abused in prison, with the perpetrators claiming it was my order. I've always dared to own up to my actions. What I've done, I won't shirk from. What I haven't done, I won't admit."Gabriel had seen the videos online. Even though Bradley had obscured the protagonist's face in the footage, he knew it was Esther. He had believed entrusting Esther to Thomas would ensure her safety, only to discover how fate twisted things."Bradley, I'll assume your words are true," Gabriel began. "Then tell me, if those people who assaulted Esther in prison weren't influenced by someone else, who put her in prison? Have you forgotten how you, in your irrational madness, expected a woman carrying your children to pay the price? Or do you believ
When Bradley brought up his grandfather again, he felt utterly unfilial as a grandson."Your grandfather's greatest wish before he passed was for you and Esther to live peacefully and happily. Sadly, all he witnessed was discord and enmity between you as a couple."Gabriel understood better than anyone that Bradley, in his youthful arrogance, felt that everything and everyone should conform to his desires. When Thomas compelled Bradley to marry Esther, almost like an arranged marriage, his rebellious nature surfaced."I've failed my grandfather's hopes," Bradley admitted with a bitter taste in his mouth.During quiet, solitary nights, he revisited memories of the past repeatedly.He hadn't desired that marriage back then. However, since he had promised his grandfather to marry Esther, he should have genuinely treated her as a wife.Despite the subsequent events not aligning with his wishes, he was painfully aware that if he hadn't been arrogant and unwilling to listen to Esther's
Esther wasn't pleasant toward Bradley. If she had evidence, she would gladly send him to prison to experience the joy of life behind bars.Bradley gazed blankly at Esther's stunning face, a hint of indescribable sorrow in his eyes. Those deep eyes resembled a chilly cold spring."Not only do you want to chop off my hand, but you also want my life, right?"Esther gestured a slice across her neck at Bradley with her hand, then turned away to tell Logan, "Let's go. Don't waste time on this.""Okay."With languid steps, Esther walked into the elevator. Once they were inside, the elevator doors shut.Outside the elevator, Bradley watched Esther and Logan like they were two puzzle pieces that matched perfectly. Instantly, he felt an unbearable heartache, as if his heart was being torn apart.He instinctively reached out to steady himself against the wall, observing the numbers on the elevator panel decrease until it stopped at the ground floor.It took a while before Bradley recovere
Throughout the entire night, neither Esther nor Logan had shut their eyes.Feeling their eyes strain, they applied eye drops. It wasn't until Esther noticed someone who shouldn't have been there on the surveillance footage."Logan, take a look at this."Perplexed, Logan asked, "What's going on?""Do you think this person looks like Shirley?"Esther was particularly sharp in discerning a woman's physique. She could immediately tell that the woman being supported by a man due to her intoxication bore a striking resemblance to Shirley."Let me see."Logan zoomed in on the surveillance footage, carefully comparing it with the footage containing Shirley. Physically, the two women indeed looked very similar.There was just one question... How would they confirm if she was Shirley?"Esther, stay here and keep watching the surveillance. I'll retrieve other surveillance footage.""Okay."Logan and Esther divided their tasks. Suspecting that the intoxicated woman might be Shirley, Est
Logan and Esther exchanged a glance. They fixed their intense gazes on Jason's face, unable to discern if he was smirking or provoking them."Mr. Taft, the evidence you seek will come."Jason scoffed. He seemed to transform into a different person as he put his glasses back on."Even if Shirley deceived me, I never wished harm upon her, let alone her death."I can consider your suspicions toward me as part of the investigation, but I hope that once everything is revealed, you can restore my innocence."I've said my piece. As long as Shirley hasn't divorced me, she remains my wife. I am obliged to cooperate in the investigation, and I hope you find her soon."Logan and Esther sensed something amiss with the first confrontation. They didn't say anything untoward until they exited the elevator and looked up at Jason's balcony outside.Jason stood on the balcony, looking at Logan and Esther and waving toward them.Logan and Esther looked at Jason before they turned and got into the
"She blocked me on all forms of contact at that time. I even tried contacting her through my colleagues' phones but found out she had blocked them, too. I thought she might be angry, so we should both calm down."Logan didn't speak and just listened quietly as Jason recounted the events of the case."I was angry that she blocked me. At my age, what's wrong with wanting a child? My parents were pushing for it, and I wondered if this marriage was what I wanted."Shirley is very beautiful. My friends and classmates say I'm lucky to have married her, but they don't know that beauty comes at a price."While my colleagues were buying properties, my wife kept changing bags. Her clothes, skincare products, shoes—everything was designer. To support her lifestyle, I work diligently, even taking extra freelance jobs to afford it."I thought I was a good husband and just wanted a child. What did I do wrong? If she had said that she didn't want a child after marriage in the first place, it wou
Gabriel took a long look at Esther, realizing more than anyone that Esther seemed to be heading toward a different extreme now. He wasn't certain if this shift in Esther's demeanor was good or bad.However, one thing was clear to him—the intersection of Esther and Bradley's lives resembled two lines crossing. After intersecting, they would drift further apart."Esther, you can investigate Bradley's criminal evidence. I won't object to that," Gabriel said with a stern face, emphasizing, "But ensure you complete your tasks on time and with quality.""Grandpa Gabriel, rest assured, I won't neglect my work."Gabriel nodded. "Go on then.""Alright." Esther stepped out of the office and approached Logan. "We can set off now.""Okay."Logan didn't inquire about Esther's conversation with Gabriel. Although they pretended to be engaged, Logan maintained a respectful distance from Esther. He wouldn't interfere much in her matters. However, he was aware that if she needed his help, he woul
Gabriel stated, "According to her husband, they argued before she went missing. He assumed she had returned to her parents' home and didn't inquire further since they often had cold spells for ten days to half a month. Their relatives and friends can testify to this."However, the cold spell extended to a month this time, which alarmed him. When he called her parents, they told him his wife never went home."Esther knew that the husband was often the first suspect when the wife went missing in cases like this."The wife bought a high-speed train ticket to her parents' home but didn't take the train back. The police traced her taking a ride-hailing car, and the driver claimed to have dropped her off on the street. The dashcam recording is proof. However, after that point, there's a blind spot in the surveillance footage. Usually, surveillance is kept for a certain period and gets overwritten after that."Logan asked, "What about the investigation on the missing woman's husband?""T
Esther rose, fixating on the distant scenery with clear eyes. "As long as he commits a crime, he'll leave traces."Logan was on the verge of speaking but was interrupted by the sudden ring of his phone."Hello, Mr. Sinclair."Gabriel's voice sounded grave. "There's a new lead.""Alright, we'll be right there."Logan stood up, turning to Esther. "We'll meet at the locker room entrance in ten minutes.""Is there a new development?""Yes."For most girls, ten minutes might not suffice even for basic grooming. For Esther, it was just right. The only issue was her long hair. Time was too short, and she lacked the opportunity to blow-dry it. Her damp hair draped over her shoulders, slightly soaking her T-shirt.Logan kept his eyes on the road. "I'll drive. You can use a towel to dry your hair.""Okay."As Logan drove, Esther sat in the car, patting her hair dry with a towel. Her hair was thick, posing a challenge to dry with just a towel.Nevertheless, Esther refrained from openi