“Tess, it’s over. James is dead. It’s all over now.” Stephen’s voice was low and hoarse.

Tessa’s heart suddenly skipped a beat. “Are you… Are you alright?”

There was a brief pause on the other end. Then came Stephen’s calm reply through the phone. “I’m fine.”

Good. He was safe. Tessa exhaled, the knot in her chest beginning to loosen.

She had feared he might get hurt while handling James in Arcton.

“I’m going to hang up now. It’s dinnertime,” she said.

“Tess, wait for me.” Stephen’s voice turned gentle.

Tessa gave no response. She ended the call without another word.

Her mind was a tangled mess. Sure, the James matter was resolved. But what about Rowena?

And then there was her father, Samuel, who had deep grievances toward the Jacobson family.

She also could not simply ignore all the pain she had endured in the past. Restarting anything with Stephen wasn’t a decision she could take lightly.

“Tess, dinner’s ready.” Marianne’s voice called out, pulling her thoughts back to the present.

“Coming.” Tessa set aside her worries and walked toward the dining room.

…

Ever since learning Wendy was pregnant, Yanis had been glowing with joy, her happiness visible in everything she did.

Zachary had yet to tell her about the current state of Gomez Group. He still hoped to keep it from her and planned to break the news only if things reached a breaking point.

Thus, Yanis remained blissfully unaware. The fire was already at the doorstep, yet she still carried herself like a high-society matron, dressed in jewels and designer clothes, radiant as ever.

That afternoon, Yanis went shopping with the housekeeper, picking out all kinds of nutritional supplements for pregnant women. She also had the housekeeper visit

a members-only supermarket to buy the best organic vegetables and a free-range hen.

Her plan was to bring everything to Wendy’s apartment and personally prepare a nourishing chicken soup.

When they arrived at the apartment, Yanis held Wendy’s hand with a warm smile, fussing over her with one question after another.

Wendy, however, was visibly downcast. Her answers were short and half-hearted.

Yanis chalked up her moodiness to pregnancy hormones and didn’t think much of it.

She instructed the housekeeper to put the supplements away, then turned and said, “Wanda, go make some chicken soup for Mrs. Gomez.”

The housekeeper replied cheerfully, “Understood, Mrs Gomez.”

The title of “Mrs. Gomez” was something Wendy had once dreamed of hearing.

But hearing it now only stirred up frustration and unease within her.

Wendy didn’t know much about business, but she had heard whispers that Gomez Group was drowning in debt and teetering on the edge of bankruptcy.

If she were to marry into the Gomez

family on their massive debt. Her

life be effectively debem

t a time like this, she wou

be

ruined.

“What’s wrong, Wendy? Are you feeling unwell?” Yanis picked up on her mood and asked with concern.

Wendy gave a blank expression and responded with a soft hum.

“Pregnancy can be like this. Sometimes your emotions dip, and everything starts

to feel overwhelming. Some women even fall into depression.”

Yanis gently held Wendy’s hand, playing the role of the perfect mother-in-law.

With a cheerful smile, she said,

“When I was pregnant with Zachary,

I had those moments too.

Sometimes I’d just sit there, annoyed at everything. Why don’t

you move into our house for a while? With the housekeepers there, I’ll feel

much better knowing someone is always looking after you.”

“There’s no need, Mrs. Gomez. I’m used to living here. I don’t think I’d be

comfortable moving elsewhere.” Wendy pulled her hand back.

Yanis didn’t think much of it and nodded with a smile.

feel

in

“That’s fine too. Wherever you most comfortable is what matters. How about I send Wanda over every day to take care of you? Or if it’s convenient, maybe she can stay here with you for a while. It’ll give me peace of mind, especially since

Zachary’s too busy with the

company to take care of you

himself.”