His Unveiled Passion

Stephen pulled himself out of his swirling emotions and said seriously, "Tess, there's something else I need to tell you."

Tessa straightened up when she saw the look on his face. "What is it?"

Stephen said, "My dad's illegitimate son is named James Fullerton. Back then, my grandparents refused to let him into the Jacobson family. He had a rough time on his own in Arcton until a powerful gang leader took him in. Over the years, he built a base and gathered his own men. Now, he even has a private armed force."

Tessa immediately said, "That sounds dangerous for you! Stephen, you have to be really careful dealing with him."

Her concern caught Stephen off guard, sending a warmth through his chest.

He pulled her into his arms. "I'll be fine, but I'm worried about you. You mean everything to me, and I'm afraid that he'll come after you just to get to me."

Tessa repeated, "Come after me?"

Stephen said, "Yeah. Taking me down won't be easy, but you're my biggest weakness. If he targets you, I—"

Tessa wrapped her arms tightly around him. "You don't have to worry about me. I can take care of myself. Plus, you've already assigned two extra bodyguards to me, so I'll be fine.

"Besides, we're in Orkford. James has no real power here, and he can't pull anything off."

Stephen frowned. "Jacqueline is his accomplice in Orkford."

Tessa's head snapped up, and her eyes filled with shock. "What? Jacqueline? But she's your sister! How could she-"

James-I'm still looking into it. She has

Speaking of which, Jacqueline didn't come to our engagement party, did she? She's your sister, so she

words reminded Stephen of the incident. On the day of

he didn't even notice Jacqueline was missing. Susan had kidnapped Seline that day,

piece of advice. "Anyway, wherever you go, make sure you have your bodyguards

Tessa nodded. "I will."

on the couch, the

up. "That must be our

order it? The timing is

"Ten minutes

"You've got

tapped her nose affectionately. "I know you better than I know

dishes from

she gave Stephen a puzzled look.

the dishes neatly. "If you want

at him, even

her-the delivery was only

prestigious people like Stephen.

her face, she sat at the table

starving. She had overslept and missed breakfast. By the time