His Unveiled Passion

"What do you mean I have a grudge against her? Tessa just slapped Jacqueline right in front of us! There was no evidence and explanation. And you, as her father, aren't even standing up for your daughter?

"Instead, you're saying I don't understand the situation? Who's the one really being unreasonable here?"

Caleb let out a sigh. "It was wrong of her to hit Jacqueline for no reason, but you were too harsh. Forget it. At this point, arguing won't change anything."

With that, he left as well.

Jacqueline, still sniffling, sat down beside Rowena, her voice trembling with feigned remorse. "Grandma, this is all my fault. I've always known that Tessa doesn't like me. I don't mind being slapped, but seeing you so angry over it breaks my heart. Please, don't let this ruin your health."

Rowena's expression softened with pity as she gently touched Jacqueline's reddened cheek. "Oh, my dear child, you didn't deserve this. Does it still hurt?" Jacqueline shook her head, tears glistening. "Not anymore, Grandma."

But Rowena's heart ached at the sight of the swollen mark. She immediately ordered a housekeeper for an ice pack to help reduce the swelling.

Meanwhile, Stephen called Lawrence, instructing him to investigate Jacqueline's and Zachary's recent activities.

Elsewhere, Tessa and Samuel headed straight to the hospital to visit Marianne after leaving the Jacobson residence.

Although she had regained consciousness, her emotions remained fragile. The moment she saw Tessa, her eyes welled up with tears.

"Your sister... your sister, she..." Marianne broke down, unable to continue.

Tessa's heart clenched. "James is using Seline as leverage to negotiate with Stephen. That means she's likely still safe. Please, don't be too upset. You need to take care of yourself first."

That was logical. James might be a heartless madman, but he was also a calculating one. Killing Seline would gain him nothing. Keeping her alive as leverage against Stephen was the smarter move.

Tessa took a deep breath, forcing herself to believe it.

Seline was still valuable. James won't kill her yet.noveldrama

...

After leaving the hospital, Tessa stopped at a nearby phone store to buy a new device and inserted her SIM card.

The moment it powered on, a flood of missed calls and unread messages overwhelmed the screen.

A quick scan showed most were from Stephen, while the rest were from Samuel, Marianne, and a handful of friends and colleagues.

Only now, after that harrowing night, did Tessa finally feel safe again. With the new phone in new phone in hand, she

f

Wmediately called Molly.

Molly's voice trembled with disbelief and tears. "Tessa, are you okay? When couldn't reach you last night, I-I panicked and called the police! Where are you? What happened?"

Not wanting to drag her friend into this or worry her further, Tessa avoided

mentioning James' abduction.

Tessa assured Molly, "I'm fine. An unexpected situation happened last night. Sorry for scaring you."

Molly exhaled in relief. "Thank goodness you're all right."

"Where are you now?" Tessa asked.

"At the hotel."

"Send me the address. I'll come to you."

Molly relayed the location.

Earlier, the Yates family driver had taken them from the Jacobson

residence to the hospital net

leaving, Tessa had kept the car for herself.

A glance at the navigation system showed that the hotel was only ten minutes

away.