After dinner, Stephen and Tessa headed to the underground parking lot.

Tessa walked met to the blue Bentley

Suddenly, Stephen asked, “How does it feel to dilve?”

She smiled, tucking a straid of hair behind her ear. “I drove it last night, it’s amazing. Thank you, Stephen.”

“Well, I’ll be off then. “Tessa raised het keys, about to leave, but then pased “oh, wall, I have a gift for you too. I should have given it to you last night, but t completely torg.”

“Really? What is it?-

“It’s in my suitcase at the hotel. I’ll grab it for you when we get back.”

Stephen opened the driver’s side door. “Let’s go together, and I’ll drive.”

“Huh?” She was momentarily stunned before quickly catching on. “We can go together, but let me drive. You should rest.”

He had flown all the way from Rivertown to see her the night before and then drove 12 miles to buy her breakfast this moming. He must be exhausted, and she didn’t want to burden him any further.

“Alright. Stephen smiled, touched by how considerate Tessa was being. Without hesitation, he walked around the passenger side and climbed in. “Your wish is

As they drove along the highway, they chatted casually.

“Can I attend the court case you’re in today?” he asked.

“Sure, it’s a contract dispute case, No trade secrets are involved. Would you like to come?”

“Yeah, cant?” Stephen’s voice was soft, a trace of hesitation in it. I’ve never seen you in court before.”

“Of course.” Tessa assumed they were already close enough to share that experience. “Do you have your

ID? You’ll need it to fill out an application form and get a visitor’s pass.***

“I have it,” he replied. He had packed it with him for his flight the night before, and today, thinking he might want to attend the hearing, he had checked and made Sure to bring his ID

“Great, I’ll take you there later”

“Alright.”

Tessa lupt her focus on the road, unaware of the tenderness in Stephen’s eyes as he watched her.

The car sped down the highway, and a comfortable silence settled between them,

After a long pause, Tessa finally broke the silence. “Stephen, why did you agree to marry into my family?”

It was a question she’d warded to ask for three years.

The Jacobson family was one of the most powerful in Rivertown, not just any ordinary family.

Stephen’s grandfather held a prominent position in polities. Logically, he should have been marrying someone from a family of equal influence. So, why marry

hers?

The Yates family was well-known and respected in Rivertown, but as a business family, they couldn’t compare to the Jacobsons power. Marrying into the Jacobson would have been seen as a way to climb the social ladder.

Having grown up in a wealthy family, Tessa was well-acquainted with the unspoken rules of arranged marriages between powerful familles.

She could tell that he had many more advantageous options.

Stephen’s gaze darned as he replied after a long pause, “Actually, by my generation, there’s no need to rely on arranged manages to secure the family’s position.”

The answer was vague, leaving Trusa confused.

“Then, why don’t you marry someone you love?”

His voice was low and steady. “No one can force me if I refuse to

The words made Tessa’s heart skip a beat

De forced herself not to tank too deeply, wonted her heart might start racing uncontrollably.

Suddenly, the malized just bow charming Stephen was Hase dated many girls before? the seemed so experienced at winning them over.

Ever since she agreed to the marriage, she had felt stephen’s case and attention to detail. It is kept up, she teated she might end up falling for him Before long, it was tiene for the court hearing.