Xo Novel
Chapter 64
On the second floor above, Ruby’s tears welled up the moment she saw her salvation. Below her, Hunter was waiting, and she sobbed out, “Hunter.” NôvelDrama.Org owns all © content.
“Daddy.”
“Daddy.”
The two children, upon seeing Hunter, excitedly shouted “Daddy” and ran towards him.
Erin watched the scene unfold with a gaze filled with icy detachment.
When Hunter shielded Ruby and the kids in front of him, Ruby looked at him, tears streaming down her face as she choked up, “Hunter, I……”
She tried several times to say something to Hunter but stopped short, unsure where to begin. She never imagined that despite her close bond with Janie, Erin could be so ruthless, that he would actually…
Ruby’s hesitant expression spoke volumes, and Hunter didn’t need to ask to know what -had happened. Furious, Hunter approached Erin and, without a word, slapped him hard
across the face, “You bastard! She’s family, for crying out loud!”
Erin touched his slapped cheek nonchalantly, glanced coldly at Hunter, Ruby, and the kids, and said icily, “Hunter, I spared your kids seeing the worst. Consider it a favor.”
Hunter liked to cheat, but Erin wanted to see if Hunter could stomach it in the future now
that Ruby was gang-raped.
“Daddy.”
“Daddy.”
As Hunter moved to strike Erin, the little ones tugged at his arms, pleading, “Daddy, stop it. Don’t hit people.”
The two little ones pleaded on behalf of Erin. Janie’s eyes became even redder, and even in her moment of anger, she had to admit that these two children were innocent.
Ruby wiped her tears and pulled Hunter away, Hunter, let’s just go.” She couldn’t bear to stay another second in Erin’s presence, every moment a nightmare.
As Ruby passed Erin, she halted and said, “I’m sorry, Erin, and thank you for not hurting my babies.” But the humiliation she suffered at his hands was something she would never forget or forgive.
Erin, hands in his pockets, remained unmoved until Hunter, Ruby, and the kids had completely left. Only then did he stir.
Janie snapped back to reality and approached Erin, calling out, “Erin.”
11:30
Erin was known for his calm but ruthless ways, which Janie was well aware of, but she hadn’t expected him to go so far with Ruby, so far that she hadn’t dared to ask how many men he’d summoned.
Erin looked at Janie and calmly said, “Mom, I’ll have the driver take you home.”
Soon after the driver took Janie away, Erin instructed his assistant to sell the apartment, then drove off himself.
Hunter’s affair was a slight not easily overlooked by him or his mother, and Erin was determined that Hunter’s days ahead would be anything but easy.
Erin wanted Hunter’s share of the company back, and certainly, a divorce was likely on Hunter’s mind. Erin would make sure Hunter’s life was anything but joyous.
Tossing his half-smoked cigarette out the car window, Erin floored the accelerator, speeding away.
The midday sun beamed gloriously as Estrella stepped out of the courthouse, victorious over Jo’s case, her face radiant in the sunlight. This morning’s court battle had been a resounding win for Estrella.
“Ms. Estrella, thank you so much for helping me secure such a generous settlement,” Jo caught up with Estrella as she descended the courthouse steps.
Estrella replied with a professional smile, “Just doing my duty.”
The middle-aged woman sighed deeply, gratitude resonating in her voice, “Ms. Estrella, I know everything. I know my ex-husband’s lawyers approached you, offering a bribe to go easy on the case. But you didn’t take it.”
pack
Estrella’s smile widened as she slipped her hands into her trouser pockets. “Jo, you’re well-connected to have such private information.”
The woman chuckled, “After thirty years of marriage to that man, I know him too well. But I never expected him to act on a divorce so soon.”
Despite receiving half of her husband’s assets, the sentiment of years gone by weighed on her. “If only he hadn’t been swayed by the outside world, we could have spent the rest of our lives together.”
Sensing her client’s melancholy, Estrella patted her arm reassuringly, “Jo, we’ve come this far, and we’ve fought hard. No regrets. Your kids are grown. Take care of yourself from now on. You’re the priority.”
Touched by Estrella’s consolation, Jo looked at her gratefully, “Ms. Estrella, you’re a friend worth having. Are you free for lunch? Let’s dine together.”
Glancing at her watch, Estrella responded, “It’s getting late, and I have matters at the firm.
11:30
Maybe next time?”
As Jo was about to reply, her newly divorced ex-husband emerged from the courthouse. Seeing the two women together, his face darkened with displeasure. He passed them, his eyes lingering on his ex- wife before turning to Estrella with evident dissatisfaction.
The man, in his fifties, neither short nor slim, was dressed in a loud shirt covered by a casual black blazer. His flashy gold necklace and wristwatch, along with his distinctive beard, revealed wealth, though not on par with people like Jason.
Passing by, he said with a hint of recognition, “Young lady. you are quite impressive. You take your work seriously. If I ever have a case, you’ll be my first call.”
Damn, that little firecracker was impervious to bribes. He had people approach her with an offer of a cool $8 million to just let this case slide, but she dug up every last penny of his hidden assets, including the wealth he’d been shuffling around for years, and laid it all out to split with his ex-wife.
His ex-wife walked away with over $300 million of his fortune! She was already hitting fifty; a few million for a cushy retirement would’ve done just fine. What did she need all
that cash for?
The man suppressed his anger, while Estrella nonchalantly smiled and said, “Well then, I suppose I should thank you, Richie.”
Estrella, with her nonchalant grace and an air as light as a summer breeze, watched as the man pulled out his shaking right hand from his pocket, waved it at her in a futile gesture, and then stormed off, teeth clenched in anger.
As soon as the man and his cronies were out of sight, Estrella turned to give Jo a casual wave, promising to catch up for dinner next time. With that, Estrella hopped into her Audi
and drove off.
Estrella had nailed this lawsuit, and the buzz in the legal community started humming almost the moment she stepped out of the courthouse. After snagging the legal representation for Nelson International, and now nailing this divorce case, the newcomer at Justice Guardians LLP was making waves. Rumor had it she was a real knockout too, with a figure to die for.
Gripping the steering wheel with both hands, Estrella hummed a tune, feeling on top of the world, when suddenly her phone rang.