Tessa smiled and pressed her lips together. "I will be yours sooner orter, so why are you in such a hurry?"


    Stephen held her hand, his fingers gently stroking her palm in gentle motions. "I can''t wait even a single day longer. No, not even a single second."


    He smiled as he continued, "Before, I was afraid you would think getting married right away was too sudden, so I suggested to your father that we could get engaged first and then wait until our feelings matured before getting married. But looking back now, I was just digging my own grave."


    Tessa smiled and replied, "So, have those feelings matured now?"


    Stephen pinched her cheek lightly. "That''s for you to answer. My feelings matured a long time ago."


    Lowering her gaze with a faint smile. Tessa had the urge to tease him. "Then wait a little longer."


    Stephenughed indulgently and yed along. "So, may I ask when Ms. Yates wants to be Mrs. Jacobson?"


    "We''ll see," Tessa said with a yful tilt of her head, making a funny face at him. "It depends on my mood."


    As they chatted along the way, the atmosphere between them was lively.


    When they arrived at the estate, Stephen opened the car door and extended his hand toward Tessa.


    She ced her hand in his, stepped out of the car, and walked with him toward the estate.


    The estate was adorned with balloons and flowers everywhere. Thousands of fresh pink roses were arranged in a path leading from the gate to the main vi.


    Tessa, wearing high heels, stepped onto the petal-covered path and walked slowly into the banquet hall of the main vi.


    The meticulously decorated hall was filled with festive cheer and melodious music.


    Guests approached them one after another, offering their congrattions and well wishes.


    After greeting the guests, Tessa and Stephen headed to the backstage lounge to confirm the engagement ceremony process with the host. The Jacobson family members were all present.


    Even Ralph Jacobson, who rarely appeared due to his job in Jordanville, hade back from the capital. Dressed in a deep red suit, his kind and warm smile made him appear full of energy.


    Standing beside Ralph was Rowena


    Lae, who was adorned in a silk dress with exquisite jewelry,


    radiating elegance and vel


    Caleb and Sophia were also dressed formally, exuding an air of dignity and sophistication.


    The Yates family arrived shortly after.


    Seline greeted Marianne briefly before running off to y.


    The two families gathered together, chatting andughing as they went over the event details once more.


    As the ceremony approached, Stephen received a phone call.


    On the other end, a woman''s voice was filled with anguish. "Stephen, can you please not get engaged to Tessa?" The smile on Stephen''s face disappeared instantly.


    He stepped out of the lounge to take the call.


    "Who are you?"


    "Don''t you remember me, Stephen? It''s Susan Why? Just why are you getting engaged to Tessa? I have tried to make you fall in love with me for ten years! It''s been ten years!"


    Susan? Ten years?


    Stephen finally recalled.


    BUMS


    The woman was his high school ssmate and the campus belle of their year, Susan Mondez.


    Stephen''s expression darkened as he spoke coldly, "Susan, don''t call me again. There will never be anything between us. But when he was about to hang up, Susan quickly cried out, "Stephen, if you don''t cancel the engagement, I will kill myself." The sound of rushing winding through the phone made Stephen frown in displeasure.


    Over the wind, Susan''s voice trembled as she continued.


    "I am standing on the top floor of the


    vi where your engagement ceremony is being held. If you don''t cancel the engagement, I will jump right now."