The answer to Lester''s confession seemed like a foregone conclusion.


    Stephen held his breath without realizing it, and his fingertips slowly clenched as a dull ache spread through his chest.


    However, Tessa''s response took everyone by surprise.


    "Sorry, but I can''t say yes."


    The smile at the corner of Lester''s lips faded. The night wind tousled his dark hair,


    and the dim lights couldn''t chase away the disappointment on his face.


    "May I know the reason?" His voice trembled slightly as if his emotions had slipped beyond his control.


    Tessa pressed her lips together in a calm and distant expression as she answered a tone devoid of any ripple, "Because I''m not interested in dating right now. I don''t have time for a rtionship, so I''m sorry-I can''t ept your confession."


    The crowd burst into a new wave of chatter.


    Stephen raised an eyebrow, and a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth He was quite satisfied with that answer.


    After speaking, Tessa turned and left without ever epting the bouquet of roses.


    Stephen knew that Tessa had countless admirers during her university days. Confessions like this probably happened a dozen times a year, so it was only natural that she wouldn''t remember the names or faces of every guy who professed his love.


    But he remembered every single one-what they looked like and what their names were.


    That was why a very real sense of crisis crept over Stephen when he saw Lester with Tessa at the restaurant on Valentine''s Day.


    As the memory faded, his eyes darkened. "After all these years, you still haven''t given up, huh?"


    Lester chuckled and answered in a calm tone, "I should be thanking you, Mr. Jacobson, for giving me the opportunity."


    Stephen narrowed his eyes in warning. "Stay away from her."


    Lester raised an eyebrow. "And what gives you the right to say that?"


    Stephen let out a cold scoff. "You don''t stand a chance. Tess'' heart belongs to me."


    Lester remained as gentle and refined as ever. "Well then, let''s wait and see."


    That night, Tessa had a nightmare.


    In her dream, she was running across a vast, deste in with no one in sight. Behind her, vicious criminals gave chase.


    She ran with att her might, but the scene abruptly shifted. The next moment, rough hands gripped her throat, cutting off her air. Suddenly, James face loomed before he eyes. His cold, sinister smile made him look like a demon from the depths of hell who came to im her life.


    It was getting harder and harder to breathe. Just when she thought she was about to die, the scene changed again. This time, she saw her


    younger sister, Seline, tied to a chair. James stood beside her, grimming as he poured gasoline over her trembling body.


    "No! Don''t! Please leave her alone!" Tessa screamed at the top of her lungs.


    Suddenly, James'' face began to twist and contort, morphing into the face of that man with sses.


    "Go to hell!" His face distorted with fury as he hurled a bucket of sulfuric acid toward her.


    "Ah!" Tessa bolted upright in bed, screaming as she broke free from the nightmare. Her body was drenched in cold sweat.


    The nighty still and silent. In the darkness, her ragged breathing echoed in the quiet room. It took a long time before she returned to her senses.


    Her phone screen lit up.


    She picked it up and nced at the time—3:30 am.


    She received a text message from an anonymous number.


    "If you want your sister alive, do exactly as I say."