Sophia demanded anxiously, “What happened? Is there any news about Tess?” “That was Stephen,” Caleb answered.

Caleb’s expression was grave. After a moment of hesitation, he finally spoke. “Tessa was abducted, and the person behind it was… James.”

“James? Sophia’s expression changed immediately. “Him again? Tess has never wronged him even once. Why did he abduct Tess? I’d understand if he abducted Tess as revenge on Stephen if they were still engaged. However, Stephen and Tess have long since broken their engagement!”

Sophia frowned deeply. “Stephen’s scandal with Nancy is still all over the news, and very few people are aware of who she truly is. James definitely wouldn’t have any idea about it. Plus, the Yates family has been left alone for a while now, so why would James abduct Tess all of a sudden?”

Sophia felt a headache coming on just trying to make sense of this mess, while Caleb listened to her with growing frustration.

He rubbed his temples in annoyance and grumbled, “How am I supposed to know? Stephen said he’d be back soon. Let’s discuss this with him later. Oh, right. I’ll call Samuel over too.”

Sophia was genuinely worried about Tessa’s safety. Therefore, the thought of James hurting Tessa made her glare at Caleb, muttering disparagingly, “James. James. James. It’s always James. Caleb, look at the mess you’ve made! If you hadn’t—”

Caleb became irritated by her bringing up old receipts and lost his patience, cutting her off in a harsh tone, “Enough! It’s been so many years since then. What’s the point of bringing it up now?”

Then, he added, “We should keep our heads cool right now and wait for Stephen to come home. Then, we can discuss how we’re going to rescue Tess.”

Sophia’s temper flared in response to Caleb’s agitation, and her voice rose a couple of notches.

“I’m bringing up old receipts? How am I bringing up old receipts? Caleb, ask yourself honestly. When have I ever wronged you? I’ve only ever devoted myself

to this family ever since I married into the Jacobsons-”

“Stop it!” Caleb interrupted her sharply. “This is not the time for us to argue.”

Then, he rose to his feet in a huff and stormed upstairs.

Sophia remained seated on the couch in the living room. Her eyes had turned red due to anger.

Caleb kept saying that she liked bringing up the past, but the truth behind it was that the issue between them had never truly been resolved. It remained a thorn in her heart It was a hurdle she could never overcome, even after all these years.

As her anger subsided, a well of grievance seemed to swallow her whole. Tears

pricked her eyes as she sat alone on the couch, silently crying.

The intense argument between the couple had caught the attention of a certain maid who was working nearby.

This maid had been working for

Rowena for over two decades. So, she would promptly report any trouble in the household to Rowena when she stumbled upon it.

Sure enough, Rowena was immediately informed about Caleb and Sophia’s spat the second it was over.

The maid relayed everything she had heard to Rowena without missing even the slightest detail.

Rowena was momentarily taken aback, unable to believe her ears. “Are you saying that James has abducted Tessa?”

The maid nodded. “Yes, Mrs. Jacobson Senior.”

Rowena’s expression turned thunderous as a flicker of anger blazed in her eyes. “How preposterous!”

Although Rowena disliked Tessa, her dislike did not extend to condoning illegal acts such as abduction, especially since lives were at stake. Moreover, even though James had not been welcomed into the family, he was still undeniably her grandson. The blood of the

Jacobsons ran in his veins.

Thus, she couldn’t tolerate her grandson engaging in such criminal behavior.

Rowena wasted no time calling Stephen, urging him to return home immediately. When Stephen answered, he said he would be home soon.

After she ended the call, she asked the maid, “And Jacqueline? Where is she?”