Tessa quickly ryed the full details of the knife attack incident.


    The assant, Jason Howard, was the owner and legal representative of a privatepany. He had been sued by anotherpany over a contract dispute. Tom had represented Jason''s opponents in thewsuit, securing a victory.


    Following the court ruling, Jason was held liable for breach of contract and ordered to pay significantpensation. During the enforcement phase, the court froze hispany''s ounts.


    Shortly after, Tom uncovered evidence ofmingled personal and corporate assets as well as financial misconduct by Jason. After filing anotherwsuit, the court seized Jason''s real estate and impounded movable assets of equivalent value.


    At the same time, Jason''s wife had an affair and eloped with another man, absconding with the family''s money.


    This chain of events left Jason desperate and without options. He med thewyers at Shelton Law Firm for the downfall of his life and decided to take revenge with the knife attack.


    Fortunately, Tom was rescued in time and was no longer in critical condition.


    In response to the incident, thew firm specifically converted a room into a security office. Two tall and muscr security guards were stationed there.


    Tessa recognized them as the bodyguards Stephen had arranged for her.


    ...


    Meanwhile, Zachary spent two weeks recovering in the hospital.


    During this time, he repeatedly borrowed his assistant''s phone to call Tessa, but she never answered. She didn''t visit him either.


    Zachary found himself constantly staring at the hospital room door. Each time it opened, he held his breath, hoping it would be Tessa. But every time, he was left disappointed.


    He tormented himself daily by reying scenes of Tessa with Stephen, his heart twisting in agony with every thought.


    After enduring two weeks of physical and emotional misery in the hospital, Zachary was finally discharged. Since Tessa refused to see him, he decided to go to her instead. He couldn''t wait any longer. On the day of his discharge, Zachary walked ahead, his assistant and Wendy following closely.


    "Has everything been arranged with Somerton Group?" he asked the assistant while heading toward the parking lot.


    During his hospital stay, the shareholders of Gomez Group had constantly pestered him about the progress of securing new investments.


    The assistant replied, "Mr. Gomez, Mr. Somerton will attend a banquet at 8:00 pm next Friday. I''ve already secured an invitation."


    "What kind of banquet?" Zachary asked as he opened the car door and got in. The assistant followed, taking the front passenger seat.


    "It''s a banquet hosted by Mr. Somerton for his cousin. I heard that his cousin just returned to Rivertown. This banquet is both a wee home party and an introduction to Mr. Somerton''s social circle," the assistant replied.


    In the backseat, Wendy clung to Zachary''s arm affectionately. Zachary nced down and quietly withdrew his arm without a word.


    Wendy froze, her face stiff. He hadn''t behaved like this before.


    Since her return to the country, Zachary had clung to her constantly, indulging in their passion on multiple asions. Each time, he had been eager and consumed by desire.


    Why wouldn''t he even let her hold his arm here in Rivertown? Could he still be thinking about Tessa? "Zachary, why are you-"


    Before she could finish, Zachary interrupted her. "How old would Mr. Somerton''s cousin be?"


    "I believe she''s in her 20s. A young woman," the assistant replied.


    "Do we have any detailed information on her?" Zachary pressed further.


    "I''m sorry, Mr. Gomez. I couldn''t find any detailed information on her," the assistant replied. Zachary didn''t ask any more questions.


    If Uriah wanted to protect someone''s privacy, it would be impossible for them to dig up any information. Moreover, as Uriah''s cousin, the youngdy was clearly from an elite family and likely a prominent socialite.


    "However, I did hear a bit of news about her. It seems that Mr. Somerton''s cousin is getting engaged in two weeks. Mr. Somerton values her highly. A generous engagement gift for her might be enough to win his favor," the assistant added.


    Zachary lowered his gaze in thought.