The skincare products and cosmetics on the table were all from brands Tessa liked to use.

Yet, Stephen said that these were hastily bought, so she would have to make do with them for now.

Although he had made it sound like those things would be replaced with better ones, she had also found a wardrobe filled with branded goods. They were from this season and were worth at least several hundred thousand dollars.

Hell, even the silk nightgown she was wearing right now was worth at least 500 thousand dollars.

Tessa took a sip of her warm milk and asked out of nowhere, “I’ve never been here before, so why do your subordinates recognize me?”

She was referring to the startling moment when the men training outside had all greeted her in complete unison. They’d chorused, “Good day, Mrs. Jacobson!”

Stephen curled his lips into a smile. It seemed that he was in a good mood as he drawled, “Guess.”

“Leaving me in suspense, are you?” Tessa took a couple of sips from her milk, inadvertently staining her lips white. It made her look utterly irresistible. “Well, I’m not guessing.”

Suddenly, Stephen lowered his head and kissed her, licking the milk off her lips.

It was just a fleeting peck.

However, he still smiled like the cat that ate the canary. “You taste sweet.”

Tessa felt her face flush as she retorted, “There’s no way milk would taste sweet.” There was an undeniable trace of mirth in his tone, which made his voice all the more alluring. “You know I wasn’t talking about the milk.”

The atmosphere turned ambiguous once those words were dropped.

The heated air in the room brushed against her skin, making Tessa feel as though her body was burning up.

She had just finished her glass of milk when Stephen abruptly picked her up in his arms.

Tessa was so caught off guard that she instinctively exclaimed, “Hey! What are you doing?” Her voice was one of playful reproach.

Stephen smiled. “Join me for a bath,”

“I’ve already taken one. You should take one alone,” Tessa protested softly.

Alas, he headed to the bathroom, heedless of her protests. Then, he added nonchalantly, “It’s dark, and I’m afraid of taking a shower alone.”

“You? Scared? Please.” Tessa huffed in exasperation.

Stephen brought her to the bathroom while they were conversing. Tessa might as well be a lamb brought to the slaughter at this point.

Tessa was baffled about how Stephen could possess so much energy at night after working himself to the bone during the day.

Naturally, she was referring to her current situation. Her muscles were already sore, and she assumed that she could finally rest. Unfortunately, Stephen wanted to go another round after their bath.

In the end, the couple lost themselves in their passion. As a result, their barely muffled groans only subsided after midnight.

Meanwhile, Wendy was sulking because of Zachary.

Zachary had attempted suicide

because of Tessa, after all. To make

matters worse, the first thing he did

upon waking was ask about Tessa’s whereabouts, which broke Wendy’s heart into pieces.

The bar was crowded, and neon lights flashed while the ravers danced madly with the beat.

Wendy sat in a booth as she enjoyed her drink with her best friend, Jodie.

Jodie swirled her drink. “I never imagined that Tessa would be an heiress. The Riverton’s Yates family heiress, to be specific. I never saw that coming.”

Wendy let out a bark of self-deprecating laughter. “Jodie, do you think I’m a joke too?”

Jodie tugged her lips into an awkward grin.

Frankly, Wendy did seem like a laughingstock right now.

Jodie and her posse had been gossiping about Wendy behind her back after they heard about Tessa’s true identity.

Still, she wasn’t about to say this to Wendy’s face. After all, she had to keep the peace even though they were, at best, “frenemies”.

So, Jodie patted Wendy’s arm and said in consolation, “Wendy, don’t put yourself down. In my opinion, Tessa’s the real joke here. We’ve all seen just how much Zachary doted on you when you returned to the country. Tessa got cheated on so many times. It’s just…

“Anyway, my point stands. Tessa’s the real joke here!”

Wendy smiled. It seemed like Jodie’s words put her in a slightly better mood. “You’re right. Tessa’s a joke indeed.”