In the enclosed basement, dim yellow lights spilled down, making the madness and obsession in Jacqueline’s eyes clearly visible. At this moment, the twisted thoughts she had hidden for over a decade were laid bare.

After she finished speaking, a deathly silence fell over the basement.

Stephen stood tall and imposing in front of Jacqueline, looking down at her coldly. He exuded a chilling aura, and a faint scent of blood seemed to linger in the air.

Tessa stared at the screen, her heart feeling as if it were clenched by an invisible hand. A sense of suffocation washed over her. She was desperate to know Stephen’s response, but at the same time, she was afraid that his answer wouldn’t be what she wanted to hear.

After all, they had spent so much time together; some feelings must be involved, right?

What if Stephen softened after Jacqueline’s confession? What would she do then?

There was a brief silence. Stephen suddenly let out a laugh.

“Love me?” he asked. His dark eyes were deep and unfathomable like a bottomless abyss.

Jacqueline stared at Stephen, watching as he curled his lips in a mocking smile, his expression cold and his gaze icy.

“You think you’re worthy?”

Four simple words, each dripping with scorn. In an instant, all the color drained from Jacqueline’s face. She bit down hard on her lower lip, and tears rolled down her cheeks.

Tessa hadn’t expected Stephen to respond this way. She thought he would lecture Jacqueline in the tone of an older brother.

“Steve… how can you be so cruel?” Jacqueline cried, her voice full of accusation.

Stephen stood there, coldly looking down at Jacqueline, his eyes filled with faint impatience.

“Jacqueline, from this moment forward, you are no longer part of the Jacobson family.”

Jacqueline’s gaze became vacant, her eyes lifeless as she muttered, “I never wanted to be your sister.”

Stephen nodded slightly. “Then it’s time for you to apologize for what you did.” “Lawrence, take her outside,” Stephen called out, his tone calm and measured. “Yes, Mr. Jacobson.”

“Where are you taking me?” Jacqueline asked.

Stephen did not answer. He turned away indifferently and walked out with unhurried steps.

Tessa did not know what Stephen planned to do next. She sat on the couch, waiting for him.

A short while later, Stephen returned.

“Tess, let’s go outside.”

Tessa had a feeling that he was about to punish Jacqueline.

“Alright.”

“Wait.” Stephen pulled a thick, long, dark gray coat out of a cabinet. “It’s cold outside. Put this on.”

Tessa stood still as Stephen draped the coat over her shoulders. With his height close to six feet three inches, the coat was a bit too long for Tessa, nearly brushing the ground.

After making sure the coat was wrapped around her properly, Stephen took Tessa’s hand and led her outside.

At some point, snow had begun to

fall in large, fluttering flakes, and et

temperature seemed even colder than before.

There was a large open space

outside, and the people who had et

been training earlier were nowhere to beseen. A helicopter was parked in the middle of the clearing.

Tessa stood under the eaves, turning to Stephen in confusion. “Why is there a helicopter here?”

“You’ll find out in a moment.”