Quentin let out a sigh and said, “There’s only so much wool we can pull over their eyes before we run out, Naomi. They’ll find out about us sooner or later.”

Naomi’s lashes fluttered. Her usually lively voice became laced with sadness as she said, “Quentin, I can’t do it. Maybe we should just end things now.”

“There’s no way I’m going to allow that to happen,” Quentin said firmly. Then, he softened his tone and continued, “Naomi, trust me, okay? I’ll take care of this.”

Naomi looked utterly forlorn. “How are you going to do that? Are you going to make them get a divorce just so we could stay together?”

Quentin immediately fell silent, his brows knitting together in dilemma.

Tessa was not mused by the predicament they got themselves in.

Eventually, she sighed in resignation and conceded, saying, “I’ll keep my lips sealed about this, but you two had best deal with it as soon as possible. You’re lucky that I was the one who caught you two red-handed.

“You’d be in for it if some of those nosy tongue waggers found out. They’d snap a picture of you two and sell it to the paparazzi before you could even blink. When that happens, you both will be on the headlines first thing tomorrow.”

She then looked at Naomi and advised earnestly, “Naomi, Quentin’s right. The truth will come out sooner or later. Besides, it’ll be better for you to tell them yourselves rather than let your parents hear it from a stranger.”

Noami kept her head down, fixing her eyes to the ground. She didn’t say a word in response.

Quentin couldn’t bear to see her acting in such a manner. So, he reached out and pulled her into his arms. “I’m here, Naomi. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

…

Tessa drove back to the Yates residence after leaving the restaurant.

She didn’t have work tomorrow as it was a Sunday. So, she wanted to spend some time with Seline.

Her phone lit up when she was waiting for the traffic lights to turn green.

She had a new message on WhatsApp, so she clicked on the notification.

Lester had texted her, asking, “Are you home?”

Tessa replied, “I’m on the way back. What’s up?”

Lester responded almost instantly, “Drive safe. We’ll talk when you get home.”

Tessa answered, “Okay.”

Meanwhile, Stephen received a phone call.

It was a call from his friend and Jacobson Corporation shareholder, Atlas, who had called to get his

hands on the latest gossip. He

asked Stephen, what’s going

on

with you and Tessa? Are you two not back together?”

“What is it?” Stephen’s voice was cold and stony, utterly devoid of warmth.

“Guess who I bumped into tonight?” Atlas drawled playfully.

Unfortunately, Stephen wasn’t in the mood for games. So, he said, “I’m hanging

up.”

Atlas hastily blurted, “Wait! I saw Tessa!”

Stephen’s grip on his phone tightened as he demanded, “When? Where?”

Atlas chuckled before saying

teasingly, “Goodness. I distinctly remember someone getting all impatient earlier. Look at you now. You’re so concerned with what I have to say the second I bring Tessa up.” sŵnovel

Stephen’s tone was icy. “Get to the point.”

“Oh, alright. I’ll tell you,” he said huffily. Then, Atlas took on a more serious tone, saying sternly, “Still, you’d better brace yourself. This isn’t exactly good news for you.”

Stephen didn’t say a word to that.

Atlas dropped the jokes and continued solemnly, “I was having dinner with a client today. I happened to see Tessa and Lester leaving a private room together.”

The look Stephen was sporting was so frigid that it could freeze the sea.

Atlas paused briefly before adding, “I even saw Cain and his family. Oh, his in- laws were there too. Here’s a little background information for you. Cain’s in-laws are Lester’s maternal grandparents.

“Lester’s parents have been in Astor these past few years. So, the only family he has in the country are his maternal grandparents and aunt, Lyanna. I’m sure you know Lyanna. She’s Cain’s wife.”

Stephen inquired, “Why do you know so much about Lester’s family?”

Atlas chortled “I’ll have you know that I put my ear to the ground for your sake. It seems that Lester has been Tessa’s suitor ever since they attended Rivertown University е together. He even confessed to her right under your nose, too. Of course, I had to keep an eye on him.”

Finally, Stephen asked flatly, “And so? What are you trying to say?”