Chapter 59
Stephen’s expression softened, his voice steady and composed. “To cook for you, of course.”
Tessa tilted her head slightly, her curiosity evident in her tone. “Why?”
Stephen turned slowly, his gaze meeting her clear and beautiful eyes. “When Madam Somerton passed away, you stopped eating properly. I was worried about you.”
At the mention of Tyla, Helen’s face turned somber, and she sighed softly.
After a thoughtful pause, she said, “Not long after your mother got married, I fell ill. The doctor told me to rest and not overwork, so I retired and returned to my hometown.
“Later, when your mother was hospitalized, I visited her a few times. That’s when I met Mr. Jacobson. He was just a teenager back then, still very young.”
As she spoke, Helen’s gaze shifted between the two of them. “Mr. Jacobson really cared about you. When he saw how heartbroken you were, unable to eat, he came to me specifically to learn how to cook. He’s a bright young man and picked it up in just a few days.”
“Afterward, Mr Jacobson would visit me from time to time. He even arranged for my medical treatment and covered all the expenses, calling it his tuition for learning how to cook.”
A sudden realization dawned on Tessa, her eyes widened in disbelief. “The meals the housekeeper brought after my mom passed away… Did you cook them?”
“Yes,” Stephen replied simply.
That single word stirred a storm of emotions within her, sending waves through her heart and mind.
…
October’s cool autumn days slipped by in quiet serenity.
One day, Zachary dressed impeccably to attend an auction.
The highlight of the event was a pink diamond necklace, rumored to have been a treasure of the Brithar royal family. He planned to purchase it as an engagement gift for Uriah’s cousin.
Wendy, dressed to impress, accompanied him.
As soon as they arrived outside the venue, Zachary spotted Tessa. The man beside her was the same one he had fought with before.
Zachary’s expression darkened, and he strode toward them.
“Tessa, what are you doing here?”
Tessa had been in the middle of a conversation. The person she was speaking with politely excused themselves upon seeing Zachary approach.
“What do you think? Attending the auction, of course,” Tessa replied, her tone indifferent as she held onto Stephen’s arm.
Wendy, who had just caught up to them, let out a mocking laugh. “You? At an auction? What could you possibly afford to buy?”
Zachary shot her a sharp, cold glance, his displeasure evident.
Reluctantly, Wendy fell silent, though a disdainful snort still escaped her. Her eyes shifted to the man standing beside Tessa, and she froze.
He was strikingly handsome, exuding an air of refinement. His tailored suit, an exquisite wristwatch worth tens of millions, and commanding presence radiated authority. Even the polished and handsome Zachary seemed insignificant in his presence, utterly overshadowed.
Since when had Tessa been associating with someone like this?
The disdain on Wendy’s face quickly turned into jealousy.
Stephen, his demeanor cool and aloof, didn’t spare Zachary or Wendy a glance. Instead, he turned to Tessa and said softly, “Shall we, Tess?”
His tone was so tender that it seemed to wrap around her like a gentle embrace.
Wendy was stunned. It was clear from their interaction that the relationship between these two was far from ordinary.
Ignoring Zachary, Tessa followed Stephen as they walked away together.
Wendy stared at Stephen’s retreating figure, her expression thoughtful.
Without hesitation, Zachary moved to follow them, leaving Wendy rooted to the spot.