Tessa found his response amusing. “Alright, I’ll give you a spare key later.”

Stephen followed Tessa inside, the bodyguards trailing behind them, carrying the suitcases.

“Why wait until later? Just do it today. I’m worried you’ll forget.”

Tessa laughed. “I’m not that forgetful.”

Stephen received a call from Lawrence while he was having dinner with Tessa.

“Mr. Jacobson, Jacqueline has been captured. She’s at the base. When will you be coming over?”

Stephen’s eyes darkened. “Later.”

“Understood, Mr. Jacobson.”

Lawrence was left uncertain. How much later was “later”? But he didn’t dare to ask.

Stephen ended the call and resumed eating.

Tessa asked casually, “Do you have something to do later?”

Stephen looked up at her and asked, “Do you want me to stay?”

Tessa puffed her cheeks and bit down on her fork without answering. She was the

one who asked first, but he was turning it around on her.

Stephen’s eyes filled with a hint of amusement. “Tess, do you not want me to leave?”

Tessa pursed her lips and mumbled, “I was just asking.”

“Alright, you were just asking,” Stephen said with a low chuckle.

“It’s true, I was just asking. What’s so funny about that?” Tessa pretended to glare at him in annoyance.

Stephen curved his lips into a smile and looked at her earnestly. “Nothing. But if you don’t want me to leave, I can stay.”

There it was again. Why did it sound so cheesy?

Tessa turned her head away and said quietly, “No need. I’m not that clingy.”

Stephen’s eyes held a warm smile. “Being clingy isn’t bad. I like it.”

After dinner, Stephen stayed with Tessa, curled up on the couch as they watched a TV show together.

It was an engaging mystery thriller,

and Tessa was completely absorbed. She discussed the plot

with Stephen from time to time and even shared some legal insights.

Stephen paid close attention and participated in the discussions, sharing his

thoughts seriously, and never brushing her off.

When they finished watching the

two newly released episodes, Stephen looked at her with a more

serious expression. “Tess, there’s something I need to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“Jacqueline has been captured.”

Tessa was startled, her head snapping up. “When did that happen?”

“She was brought back to Rivertown today. The call I just got from Lawrence was

about that. Do you want to come with me?”

Previously, during the engagement,

Jacqueline had orchestrated Seline’s kidnapping, ordering Susan to use Seline as leverage against Tessa. Jacqueline had been on the run ever since. With her capture, Stephen saw no reason to keep it from Tessa.

Tessa fell silent for a moment.

“Can I go?”

“Of course,” Stephen replied immediately.

“Then, I’ll go with you. If she really is the mastermind behind the kidnapping, Seline and I are both victims. I have every right to see her.”

“Alright, I’ll take you there.”

On the way over, Tessa and Stephen sat quietly in the backseat of the car.

“What are you thinking about, Tess?” Stephen asked as he pulled her into his arms, his voice warm and gentle.

“What are you planning to do with Jacqueline? Are you going to hand her over to the authorities?” Tessa asked.