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Chapter 231
Autumn fretted, her maternal worry creasing her brow as Estrella offered words of reassurance. “Mom, we can’t shrink away just because things get tough. I mean, look at us-we live a charmed life, surrounded by all this comfort. It’s only right that we give something back to society, don’t you think?”
Estrella had won life’s lottery with parents like hers, but she knew most folks weren’t so lucky. They could toil away their whole lives and never get a sniff of the comfort she took for granted. Some didn’t even get a shot at trying. If fortune had smiled on her, then it was only fair she spread some of that goodwill around.
Before Autumn could voice her concerns, Estrella cut in with a grin. “If everyone had this mindset, fleeing at the sight of adversity or danger, how could our family have such peaceful days for doing business?”
“The good life we’re living? That’s all thanks to the sacrifices of those who came before us-the ones who fought for it, some with their very lives. So, you see, Mom, with all the privileges we have, it’s even more important that we lend a hand to those less fortunate. To create opportunities for them, to help make their lives a bit better, or at least a bit
fairer.”
Estrella had never fancied herself a world-changer, but she always believed in doing her part, whether it was Ryan’s case, Lexi’s, or any of the cases she’d taken on abroad. Her goal was simple: to nudge society a smidge closer to fairness.
The pollution issue at Glimmering Lake was a case in point. Her last visit there with Logan had left an indelible mark-sickly children with jaundiced skin, villagers in their forties losing teeth. It was a travesty.
What was utterly incomprehensible was how Galactic Enterprises could pass inspection after inspection, year after year, and maintain their foothold at Glimmering Lake for over a decade. Original content from NôvelDrama.Org.
As Autumn knotted her brows in concern, Estrella took her hand gently. “Mom, just picture it-what if we were the ones living in Glimmering Lake? What if Isaac had to grow up there? What would you do then?”
Estrella used Isaac as an example, leaving Autumn at a loss. With a sigh, Autumn said, “I’m just worried about you.”
Estrella squeezed Autumn’s hand reassuringly. “Nothing will happen to me, Mom. I promise. And besides, I’m doing this for Isaac’s future too.”
When Autumn fell silent, out of arguments, Estrella just patted her mother’s shoulder. “I’m going to go spend some time with Isaac now.”
Watching Estrella climb the stairs, Autumn exhaled a helpless sigh, musing that maybe all
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those books and lectures on justice weren’t entirely beneficial.
The very next day.
No sooner had Estrella stepped into the law office than Logan approached her with an update. “Estrella, word from the top is that if we don’t drum up new evidence or make headway with the
Glimmering Lake case soon, we’re going to have to wrap it up. The local council’s itching to close the case too-says it’s putting a strain on the community’s purse strings.”
The more pressure they felt from above, the more everyone sensed the need for a thorough investigation-even if it meant working under the weight of that pressure.
The problem was, too few had come forward as victims. So far, only one household had spoken up. The rest were uncooperative, keeping their distance, seemingly more worried about losing their livelihood if the factory shut down than about the poisons invading their homes.
Hearing Logan’s words, Estrella said, “Keegan and I will head to Glimmering Lake. Maybe we can get a couple more families to take a stand. That might buy us some time-or turn up something new.”.
Logan furrowed his brow. “Are you sure you’re up to it?”
Estrella nodded. “Keegan can drive. I’ll be fine.”
With that, Estrella grabbed a voice recorder and notebook and set off for Glimmering Lake with Keegan. But door after door slammed in their faces as soon as the factory was mentioned-not a single word before the resounding bang of rejection.
Finally, at a dilapidated bungalow with a yard, Estrella spotted a young girl tending to a toddler with an oversized head and unsteady gait. She walked over.
The girl exchanged pleasantries with Estrella until the factory came up. Then, clutching her child, the girl made to retreat indoors.
Estrella, driven by a blend of urgency and compassion, reached out and took the girl’s arm. “Listen, I’m sure you don’t want your child to have a life-like yours, or worse, or to grow up nursing a sick body, right?”
At the mention of her child, the young girl’s eyes brimmed with tears, and she hesitated on the doorstep.