Nancy casually ran her fingers through her hair, then slipped her arm through Stephen’s with a clear declaration of ownership. “You must be Ms. Yates, right? Nice to meet you. I’m Nancy, Steve’s girlfriend.”

Steve. Girlfriend.

Tessa lowered her gaze, and her eyes fixed on Nancy’s hand resting on Stephen’s arm. A sharp sting pierced her chest.

Stephen stood still and briefly looked down at the hand hooked around his arm. His Adam’s apple bobbed as if he wanted to say something, but the words wouldn’t come out.

Naomi couldn’t take it anymore. She stormed over and yanked Nancy’s hand away. “Get your hand off him!”

“If you want to show off your affection, do it somewhere else! This isn’t the place for your PDA!” Naomi’s face flushed red with anger, her big eyes blazing. “What? The great heir of the Jacobson family can’t afford a hotel room?”

That one hit below the belt.

Quentin’s eyes widened. He quickly stepped in to mediate.

“Come on, calm down. There’s no need to make such a scene. We’re all friends here. Let’s not get ugly.”

Naomi struggled against him. “Let go! Don’t hold me back!”

Quentin tightened his grip and frantically shot her warning looks.

Nancy, however, remained unfazed. She simply smiled and turned to Stephen to talk in a soft voice. “Steve, it seems like your friends don’t really welcome us. How about we get a room for just the two of us?”

She truly lived up to her title as a movie queen—every smile and glance was perfectly executed, capturing the delicate balance between innocence and manipulation.

Tessa’s chest tightened painfully at those words. Her doe-like eyes quickly welled up with tears, and her nose tingled with the urge to cry. But she refused to let herself break down in front of Stephen and Nancy.

Her gaze stubbornly clung to Stephen’s. Her voice trembled a little, but she tried to sound calm. “Stephen….. You must have your reasons, right? Tell me. I can understand. Don’t do this-it hurts so much… Can’t we just talk things through?”

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, her voice catching with a faint sob. “Didn’t you say that you’d never leave me as long as I never asked to break up?”

Stephen’s dark eyes were as deep and unreadable as the ocean’s depths. After a pause, the corner of his mouth lifted into a faint, mocking smile. “Ms. Yates, we’re adults. Did you really believe something that childish?”

Color drained from Tessa’s face.

Her eyes brimmed with anguish. Her lips moved as if searching for words, but no sound came out.

Stephen couldn’t bear the look on

her face. He averted his gaze and

said in a cold voice, “I’ve made myself clear. Stop clinging to something pointless. Let’s keep things dignified.”

Tessa seemed to deflate like a

balloon losing air. Her shoulders

vnet

sagged, her body swaying unsto

as she took a few steps to the side, making way for them at the door.

Sienna quickly stepped forward and gently wrapped her arms around Tessa. “It’s okay, Tess… You’ve got us. It’s going to be okay…”

“Stephen, you’ve gone too far!” Naomi shouted, ready to charge at him, but Quentin clung to her.

“Naomi, don’t do anything stupid!” Quentin was extremely worried.

While Sienna held Tessa and tried to soothe her, she shot a glance at Henry, silently urging him to step in.

Henry walked over and whispered something to Stephen.

Without a word, Stephen turned and left with Nancy.

“They’re unbelievable! Absolutely unbelievable!” Naomi was pissed off, and her face flushed with rage.

Quentin held onto her tightly, feeling like his head might explode.

Suddenly, Naomi spun around and glared at him.

“Oh crap.” Quentin’s stomach dropped.

Sure enough, Naomi swung a punch at him. “You get out too!”

“Come on, I didn’t do anything!” Quentin cried out, feeling more wronged than anyone in history.

“If you hadn’t stuck your nose in and

invited Stephen, none of this would’ve happened! Tonight was supposed to be about cheering Tess up, but before we even got the chance, she got hurt all over again! Get out, get out-just go!”

She shoved at him, trying to push him toward the door.

Sienna glanced at Henry. “Henry, you should leave with Quentin. Naomi and I will stay here with Tess.”

Henry didn’t argue. He simply nodded and pulled Quentin toward the door.