The room was warm from the central heating. Sienna had also taken off her coat. She walked over to the couch, picked up Naomi’s coat, and held her own coat in one hand and Naomi’s in the other, hanging both up before turning back with a bright smile.

“This place is perfect for a New Year’s Eve party. What a nice spot to watch the fireworks and city lights.”

“Right? Pretty great choice for New Year’s, huh?” Naomi grinned.

Sienna nodded with a smile. “Yeah, yeah!”

“Why isn’t Tess here yet?” Naomi glanced toward the door and pulled out her phone. “I’ll give her a call.”

Just then, the door opened.

Naomi looked up with a smile. “I was just about to call you, and you—what the hell?”

It wasn’t Tessa who walked in-it was Stephen.

And Nancy.

The smile on Naomi’s face froze instantly, replaced by a flicker of anger. She snapped, “Who invited them?”

Sienna shook her head. “Not me.”

Henry also shrugged. “I have no idea.”

Quentin rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. “Didn’t you say you wanted a New Year’s party? What’s a New Year’s party without my best friend?”

“You’re such a goddamn idiot, aren’t you?” Naomi exploded. “You know he cheated on Tess, right? He hooked up with a freaking celebrity! I threw this party to cheer Tess up and to help her get over him! What the hell were you thinking, inviting Stephen?”

“Huh?” Quentin blinked, completely dumbfounded. “You didn’t tell me not to invite Stephen! He’s been my best friend for over ten years…”

He rubbed his nose, sighing. “Come on, don’t get so worked up. They broke up, so what? We’re all in the same circle. It’s not like we can just cut someone off forever just because they split up, right?”

“Oh, please.” Naomi scoffed. “Why the hell not? Mr. Jacobson is way out of my league. If cutting ties is what it takes, then so be it!”

Seeing that Naomi was serious, Quentin started to panic. “Hey, come on, it’s not that deep. Don’t go making it a whole ‘let’s never talk again’ thing. Just hear me out—”

“Shut up!” Naomi cut him off sharply before he could finish. “Either they leave, or I do!”

Sienna considered stepping in to

calm her down, but when her eyes landed on Stephen and Nancy

standing together, a wave yel

of

frustration bubbled up inside her as well.

Tessa was her best friend, after all. She had to take Tessa’s side.

Sure, Stephen was her friend and her brother’s childhood buddy, but a cheating scumbag was still a cheating scumbag. No excuses.

Without hesitation, she stood firmly beside Naomi, both united in their protest against Stephen and Nancy’s presence.

“Oh, come on. Stop arguing.” Nancy

chimed in with a sweet smile. “Stephen and I only got together after he and Ms. Yates broke up. There was no cheating involved.”

“You should shut up, too!” Naomi snapped, showing zero patience.

Quentin let out another sigh and grabbed Naomi’s arm before pulling her aside. “Come on, give it a rest. This is all just a big misunderstanding.”

Unlike Naomi, Quentin knew exactly what was going on between Stephen and Nancy.

When the scandal first broke, Stephen had come clean to both Quentin and Henry right away.

After all, the Jacobson family heir’s romantic scandals wouldn’t have hit the headlines unless he’d allowed them to.

Henry had even warned Stephen to be careful and not hurt Tessa so badly that she’d never come back.

Now, seeing how furious Naomi was, Quentin nearly blurted out the truth, but Stephen shot him a look that stopped him cold.

Naomi was too straightforward; she

couldn’t keep a secret to save her life. If she found out the truth, Tessa would know within a heartbeat. And all their efforts would’ve been for nothing.

As the argument heated up, the door opened again.

“Sorry, I got held up. Hope I’m not too late.”

Tessa stepped inside and locked eyes with Stephen.

Her heart seemed to stop beating.