The room was warm and inviting, and Sienna had already removed her coat. She walked over to the couch, picked up Naomi’s coat, and hung their coats on the rack.

With a bright, beaming smile, she turned back, explaining, “This place is perfect for a New Year’s Eve party-watching fireworks and enjoying the night view.” “Right?” Naomi grinned. “I definitely made the right choice picking this place.”

Sienna nodded eagerly. “Mm-hmm!”

“Wait, why isn’t Tessa here yet?” Naomi glanced toward the door and pulled out her phone. “I’ll call in and check on her.”

Just as she was about to dial, the door swung open.

Naomi looked up with a smile. “I was just about to call you, and wait, what the hell?”

It wasn’t Tessa who walked in, but Stephen and Nancy.

Naomi’s smile immediately disappeared, replaced by a hint of annoyance. “Who invited them?”

Sienna shook her head, her expression a picture of innocence.

Henry also looked completely unaware.

Quentin cleared his throat awkwardly, saying, “Didn’t you say you were celebrating New Year’s? How can it be a proper celebration without Stephen here?”

“Are you seriously an idiot?” Naomi snapped, her temper flaring. “Don’t you know he cheated on Tessa? Now he’s with Nancy!

“Do you realize I organized this whole thing to support Tessa and help her through this mess? How could you bring Stephen here what were you even thinking?”

“What?” Quentin looked utterly confused. “You didn’t tell me not to invite him! He’s been my best friend for over ten years…”

He scratched his nose and let out a heavy sigh. “Come on, don’t get so worked up. So what if they broke up? We’re all in the same circle, and we’re bound to run into each other sooner or later. Are we really supposed to cut ties with one of them just because they split up? That’s not how it works.”

Naomi scoffed sharply. “And why can’t we? I honestly can’t bring myself to

associate with Stephen. If cutting ties is what it takes, then so be it!”

Seeing the seriousness in Naomi’s eyes, Quentin began to panic. “Wait, don’t say

that. It’s really not that big of a deal. Just hear me out—”

“Shut up!” She interrupted. “Get them out. Either they leave, or I will!”

Sienna wanted to step in and calm Naomi down, but as her eyes fell on Stephen and Nancy standing together, unease settled over her Tessa was her close friend, and there was no question where her loyalty lay. sŵnovel

Stephen was a friend too-her brother’s childhood buddy-but no matter their

history, she couldn’t overlook the fact that he had cheated.

Without hesitation, Sienna stood beside Naomi, both of them firmly opposing Stephen and Nancy’s presence.

“Come on, let’s not argue,” Nancy suggested with a placating smile “Mr. Jacobson only got together. with me after he and Ms. Yates broke up. There was no cheating involved.”

“Shut up!” Naomi snapped, offering no mercy.

Quentin let out a sigh, yanking Naomi aside. “Naomi, please stop interfering. This

is just a misunderstanding.”

She had no idea about the full extent of Stephen and Nancy’s relationship, but Quentin did.

When the rumors first surfaced, Stephen had come clean to both Quentin and Henry.

It was no surprise-without Stephen’s approval, the media wouldn’t have dared to publish those stories.

Henry had even warned Stephen back then, saying outright-if Tessa got hurt, she might never return.

Seeing Naomi’s reaction, Quentin nearly spilled the truth, but before he could, Stephen shot him a warning glance, silently telling him to keep quiet.

Naomi was too outspoken and

incapable of keeping a secret. If she found out, it wouldn’t be long before Tessa did too, undoing all their efforts in an instant.

Just as the argument was about to escalate, the door swung open.

“Sorry, I got held up,” Tessa apologized as she stepped inside.

The moment her gaze locked onto Stephen’s, her heart skipped a beat.