Zachary appeared to be listening and even nodded as if he understood before leaving.

In reality, he had not listened to a single word. Telling him to stay away from Tessa was impossible for him.

…

As night fell, Zachary suffered from insomnia.

He was still living in the apartment next to Tessa’s, but she had already moved out.

The night was silent.

Zachary lay in bed. The room was dark, and the lights were turned off. He closed his eyes, and Tessa’s face repeatedly resurfaced in his mind.

Suddenly, an unpleasant face forced its way into his thoughts. Stephen flashed a provocative smile as he cupped Tessa’s face and kissed her passionately.

“No. Stop it! Don’t touch her. Get away.” Zachary shouted suddenly.

In the darkness of his room, he screamed like a madman. He kept tormenting himself, replaying scenes of Stephen and Tessa together, even envisioning their intimate moments.

“No… Tessy… No…” Zachary curled up on his bed as his suppressed sobs echoed in the darkness.

“Ugh… Please… No…”

This tall, grown man curled into a ball, sobbing uncontrollably.

The truck finally came to a stop, and Jacqueline was violently dragged out of the vehicle.

She looked up and recognized the place. It was Stephen’s base. She had been here before but had never been allowed inside.

This was a place where no one could enter without Stephen’s permission-not even Ralph Jacobson.

Did arriving at Stephen’s base mean she was about to see him? The day had finally come.

Jacqueline was thrown into a basement. There was no heating or access to sunlight, and it was damp and cold.

Before long, Lawrence walked in.

“Ms. Sanders, it’s been a long time.” Lawrence narrowed his eyes.

His tone was icy as he said, “You really made me search everywhere for you.” Jacqueline’s body trembled as she stammered, “W-What are you going to do?” Lawrence grinned. “What am I going to do? My task was to capture and bring you back. My mission is done. What happens next is up to Mr. Jacobson.”

“Is he… Is he here?” Jacqueline bit her bottom lip, a hint of hope appearing on her pale face.

Seeing her expression, Lawrence couldn’t help but laugh. “Ms. Sanders, don’t tell me you did all of this for Mr. Jacobson. Do you have some kind of improper feelings toward him?”

Even when facing death, Jacqueline refused to admit it. “It’s none of your business.”

“You’re right, it’s none of my business. You should focus on what’s going to happen next. Mr. Jacobson won’t let you off easily.”

“That’s impossible. Steve would never be so cruel to me. He used to spoil me. You’re just trying to scare me. Steve treated me so well. How could he possibly punish me?”

Lawrence’s expression turned

strange. “Should I call you naive or

just plain stupid? Mr. Jacobson was nice to you because you were the Jacobson family’s adopted daughter, his sister in name.

“But now? You helped James, and you’re responsible for several deaths. You became an enemy of the Jacobson family. Do you think Mr. Jacobson will show you any mercy now?”

He paused briefly before continuing,

“Besides, Mr. Jacobson only cares about Mrs. Jacobson. Who do you think you are? You previously ordered Susan to kidnap Mrs. Jacobson’s sister. Mr. Jacobson hasn’t even settled that score with you yet.”