Chapter 215
The next day arrived in no time.
It was New Year’s Day, and Tessa returned to the Yates residence.
Both Marianne and Samuel were there.
As soon as Tessa walked in, Marianne greeted her with a warm smile. “Tessa, you’re back! Lunch is almost ready. Go wash up first.”
Tessa had woken up with a pounding hangover from the night before, not managing to get up until 11:00 am. After quickly showering, dressing, and driving home, she arrived just in time for lunch.
Seline came running over in her leather shoes, throwing her arms around Tessa’s legs. “Hey, Tessa!”
Tessa smiled, reaching into her bag to pull out a gift. She handed it to Seline, saying, “Happy New Year, Seline.”
Seline’s face lit up as she took the gift, planting a kiss on Tessa’s cheek.
Samuel then handed her a bag. “Here’s your New Year’s gift. Go ahead and open
it.”
Intrigued, Tessa took the bag and opened it.
Inside was a key and a property deed.
Samuel spoke casually, “Tessa, this place is close to your office, so it’ll make your commute easier. I know you young people love celebrating New Year’s, so consider this your New Year’s gift from me. The car was chosen by Ms. Connors, and it’s in the garage. You can check it out after lunch.”
Tessa’s eyes sparkled, and warmth filled her heart. “Thank you, Dad. And thank you, Ms. Connors.”
She was truly touched by their kindness.
After lunch, she scrolled through her phone absentmindedly and noticed a new message on WhatsApp.
Her heart skipped a beat.
She held her breath as she opened the message request, only to be hit with a wave of disappointment as it wasn’t from Stephen.
Zachary’s contact had long been blocked and deleted, but now he had created a new account to reach her.
At first, Tessa couldn’t recognize the number, but the message attached was unmistakable.
“Did you break up with Stephen? I told you all men are the same. You just wouldn’t listen. Tessa, come back to me.”
Reading those two messages made Tessa feel sick to her stomach.
She quickly blocked his number.
The car Samuel had gifted her was a white Rolls Royce Phantom. She parked the blue Bentley that Stephen had given her in the Yates residence’s underground garage, where it would simply collect dust. Instead, she drove the new car.
The apartment was situated in a
prestigious neighborhood, ideallet
located near Everbright Law
Group-an area where every inch of space was highly coveted
Spanning over 2,000 square feet, had been fully renovated with
high-end appliances. The decor was exactly what she’d hoped
for-elegant and minimalist.
Tessa called Michelle, instructing her to clear out everything that belonged to her at Grandview Garden.
Michelle agreed on the phone, but her gaze flickered toward Stephen, who was seated on the couch.
Once the call ended, Michelle spoke cautiously, “Mr. Jacobson, Ms. Yates asked me to dispose of all her belongings-“
Stephen cut her off, his voice tired. “Don’t throw anything away. Keep everything just as it is. Her room should be cleaned daily. She’ll be back soon.”
“But… I…” Michelle hesitated, unsure how to continue.
He had hired her specifically to cook for Tessa, but now that Tessa wasn’t living there anymore, who would she cook for?
Was she about to lose her job?
He remained quiet for a moment before explaining, “She’s moved to a new place.
I’m not sure if the housekeeper there will be able to cook to her liking.”
15 minutes later, Tessa’s phone rang. It was Michelle.
“Ms. Yates, Mr. Jacobson has let me go. I don’t have a job anymore. Would you like me to cook for you?”
Tessa was momentarily taken aback but quickly pieced everything together.
Stephen had hired Michelle specifically to cook for her. Now that she had moved out, it made sense that he had decided to let Michelle go.
Every time Tessa thought of Michelle, she was reminded of the lengths Stephen had gone to ensure she ate well.
He had even gone so far as to learn cooking from the Somerton family’s housekeeper before hiring Michelle to prepare meals tailored to her tastes.
Stephen had cared for her deeply back then.
Although Tessa initially wanted to refuse, the thought of Michelle losing her job and livelihood made it hard for her to say no.