Everyone was stunned by Stephen’s words.

Caleb’s expression darkened. “Everyone here is family, Stephen. What are you implying? Are you suggesting that someone in our family would leak information to outsiders and put you in danger?”

Rowena added, “Stephen, you made it very clear before you left that we weren’t to call the police. Even if I’m old and forgetful, I wouldn’t do that. None of us called the police, and we would never risk your life by leaking information to outsiders.”

Samuel added, “I assure you that Marianne and I didn’t leak anything. Tessa was still in their hands. If we had leaked the information, both you and Tessa could have been killed. We would never take that risk. Even after Seline went missing shortly after, we remembered your warning and didn’t call the police.”

Sophia also strongly disagreed with Stephen’s accusation. “There must be a misunderstanding here.”

Jacqueline added, “Yes. There must be a misunderstanding. Could it have been one of Tessa’s friends or colleagues who accidentally let something slip? Someone with ill intentions might have overheard and deliberately called the police to hurt you.”

Before Stephen could respond, Tessa suddenly laughed.

She scoffed and sneered, “Zachary called the police. Jacqueline, you leaked the information to him, didn’t you?”

Jacqueline’s face turned pale.”Tessa, what are you talking about? How could I possibly ”

Suddenly, a loud slap was heard.

Before Jacqueline could finish her sentence, Tessa slapped her across the face. The slap was so sudden and forceful that everyone in the room was stunned. Jacqueline covered her cheek, tears welling up in her eyes. “Tessa, I know you’ve never liked me, but you can’t just accuse me without any proof.”

As she spoke, Jacqueline covered her cheek and turned to Rowena. “Grandma, you have to stand up for me.”

Rowena’s expression darkened instantly. “Tessa, how dare you slap Jacqueline in front of us! You have no manners at all! Is this how your parents raised you? Do you resort to violence at the slightest provocation? How dare you call yourself a well-mannered young lady from a prestigious family? You’re nothing but a shrew!” Caleb’s face was equally stormy. After all, Jacqueline was his adopted daughter, a member of the Jacobson family. Tessa’s action was nothing short of an insult to the Jacobson family.

Caleb said in disapproval, “This is ridiculous. If you have something to say, say it nicely. There’s no need to resort to violence.”

“Tessa, calm down,” Sophia added.

Unlike the rest of the Jacobson family, Stephen’s first reaction was to step forward and shield Tessa, as if fearing Jacqueline might retaliate and hurt her.

Of course, given Jacqueline’s physical abilities, she was no match for Tessa. But even so, Stephen immediately positioned himself protectively in front of Tessa.

This gesture was like a knife to Jacqueline’s heart, and her face paled even further.

Samuel, who had been momentarily stunned, snapped back to reality upon hearing Rowena insult his daughter. He didn’t care about respecting the elders or maintaining decorum. Instead, he stepped forward and fired back.

“Mrs. Jacobson Senior, I’ve always respected you as the matriarch of the Jacobson family and treated you with courtesy. Yet, you’re publicly insulting my daughter, calling her a shrew? How dare you!

“If Tessa is a shrew, then what about Jacqueline? She slandered Tessa at the banquet. Without even hearing the full story, you took Jacqueline’s side and humiliated my daughter. When Tessa wanted to check the surveillance footage, you refused to look. Have you forgotten all that?

“Is this how the Jacobson family raises their children? Judging by the behavior of

your adopted daughter, Tessa must have had a good reason for that slap!”

Samuel continued furiously, “Tessa was kidnapped because of her connection, to your family. Seline has also been taken to Arcton by your illegitimate son, and we don’t even know if she’s alive or dead. Ifit turns out that your adopted daughter leaked the information, slapping her would be the least of my concerns. I’d want to kill her myself! Letting her off with a slap is going easy on her.”

“Samuel!” Rowena’s chest heaved with anger as she pointed a

over

trembling finger at him. “You’ve gone too far! How dare you threaten: to kill Jacqueline? Do you have any respect for the law? I’ll call the police right now and have you arrested!”

Samuel scoffed and retorted, “Call the police? Go ahead! Let them investigate thoroughly and find out exactly what happened with Tessa’s kidnapping!”

“You—” Rowena’s face turned pale, her breathing becoming labored as if she were on the verge of collapsing.