Stephen smiled and said, "Oh, is that so? I don''t see it that way. In my opinion, someone who has rejected you once will only reject you again. If feelings aren''t involved, then there''s nothing you can do about it.


    "However, if someone loves another, they can always fall back in love again. Because love is love, and when there''s no love, it will remain that way."


    "Are you really that confident, Mr. Jacobson? How should a broken heart heal after it''s been hurt?


    "If someone had loved their partner with everything they had only to end up getting hurt, would they still be stupid enough to give that certain someone another chance to hurt them again?"


    The smile on Stephen''s lips faded, and he quickly fell silent.


    Soon, they arrived at the basement, and the elevator door opened. Stephen walked out, and so did Lester, who had a dark expression on his face.


    Lester thought, "Stephen, just you wait and see."


    ...


    After getting off work on Friday, Tessa had finished packing up and was leaving her office when she ran into Lester.


    Lester''s expression remained calm andposed as he said, "Ms. Yates, there''s a few things I would like to rify with you. I''d feel ufortable if I waited until after the weekend."


    "What is it?" Tessa asked.


    Lester responded, "This isn''t a good ce to talk. Why don''t we head over to the park for a stroll? We can talk as we go."


    Seeing how Lester seemed to genuinely have something important to speak to her about, she hesitated briefly before nodding. "Alright."


    It got dark early, considering it was already April. The sun was setting at around 6:00 pm, and the air felt warm around them.


    Tessa wore a gray suit with her hair draped behind her. The wind blew, causing the few strands of hair tucked behind her ear to flutter along the evening breeze, making her look particrly stunning.


    Lester watched and felt his breath get caught in his chest.


    They were walking side by side, and Tessa was focused on looking ahead.


    Hence, she missed the affectionate look in his eyes.


    "Mr. Cooper, what did you want to talk to me about?" Tessa asked calmly.


    "I wanted to talk to you about how Lyanna tried to set us upst time." Tessa froze.


    Unperturbed, Lester continued,


    "Honestly, I don''t feel that way. Lyanna was just ying cupid for


    fun. I was afraid that her actions


    might have made you


    ver


    ufortable. I only see you as a business partner and a good friend."


    "I don''t want the situation to cause a rift in our rtionship. So, I decided it was best that I rified the


    situation with you," Lester added apologetically.


    Tessa let out an unnoticeable sigh and said, "I''m d you feel that way. I was worried that..."


    "What were you worried about?"


    Her voice rxed as she said, "It''s nothing. We''re on the same page as I also see you as a business partner and a good friend."


    Lester''s voice remained calm and gentle as he added, "If Lyanna tries to set us up again and invites you out to meet, you can just reject her."


    "Alright."


    "Ms. Yates, do you have a sister who''s about the same age as Cassie?"


    Tessa asked, "How old is Cassie?"


    "She''ll be seven next month."


    "Oh, then she''s about a year younger than my sister."


    Lester brightened up. "That makes them almost the same age. Do you want to let them meet and be friends? It''s always good for kids to have friends.


    "After all, we''re adults, and there''s a generational gap between us and our siblings. Our rtionship with them can''tpare to friends their own age." Tessa agreed with Lester.


    Seline was currently receiving therapy. Would a friend help with her recovery?


    "I''ll talk to her about it. My sister''s going through a rough patch right now, so I need to ensure that she''s open to meeting new friends before I


    can give you an answer," Tessa


    replied.


    "Alright, then."