Tessa had been swamped with work for the past few days. She had to attend court on a daily basis, while making time to apany Lucas for his workce injury assessment and work capacity evaluation.


    The weather report announced that a cold wave was about to hit the city. The temperature would drop drastically tomorrow and would reach a low of 24.8 degrees Fahrenheit.


    Tessa had arranged for the Grangers to be transferred to a private ward in a tertiary-level hospital. She also asked Jasmine to buy down jackets, thick quilts, and electric nkets for the siblings.


    Jasmine''s eyes were red-rimmed when she was done delivering the items to them.


    She sniffled, voice thick with tears as she said, "Ms. Yates, I''ve done everything you''ve asked of me."


    Tessa had been hard at work typing on theputer. She nced at Jasmine after hearing how choked up she sounded. "Why are you on the verge of tears?"


    Jasmine pressed her lips together as her teary eyes shone. "Anne hasn''t been doing welltely. The doctor said that if a suitable bone marrow isn''t found soon, she won''t live through the winter..."


    Tessa''s fingers froze above the keyboard. Tears welled in her eyes, wetting hershes. Her voice trembled slightly when she assured Jasmine, "Just wait a little longer. I''ve already sent people to find a suitable bone marrow. They''ll find one... They''ll definitely find one."


    Tears spilled down Jasmine''s cheeks. She looked at Tessa with bloodshot eyes. "Ms. Yates, if Anne really—"


    Tessa swiftly cut her off before she could finish her sentence. "It won''te to that! Anne will be okay!"


    Jasmine swallowed her sobs, pursing her lips and forcing her tears back.


    Tessa wasn''t able to focus for the rest of the afternoon. She made some time to ce a call. "A suitable bone marrow still hasn''t been found?"


    "Ms. Yates, we''re trying our best to locate a suitable one. You''ll be the first to know if we have good news for you," the person on the other side of the line replied.


    That night, Stephen picked Tessa up after work to have dinner together. He brought her to a high-ss Lospian restaurant. The melodic sounds of the piano floated soothingly around the ce.


    With the red wine and steak being of the highest quality, the roses and


    candlelights also added to the restaurant''s romantic ambiance. Yet, Tessa was still


    distracted, leaving her steak untouched and letting it go cold.


    Stephen looked at her with concern. "Tess, is something on your mind?"


    Tessa snapped back to the present.


    She returned Stephen''s gaze, murmuring,."I took on a case a couple of days ago. The client is a young man who just turned 19 His parents have both passed and his younger sister is the only family he has left."


    She let out a sigh. She was mncholic as she continued, "To pay for his sister''s school fees, he left school a long time ago to work Yet, God yed a cruel joke on him. His sister was diagnosed with leukemia. She''s only 11 years old. The doctor said that if we don''t find a suitable bone marrow soon, she might not live through the winter."


    "Have you tried putting out a high-value reward? Having a lucrative incentive is usually helpful in these types of situations. You''ll be able to find a suitable bone marrow quickly," came Stephen''s suggestion.


    Tessa flexed her hand resting on the table. She shook her head, frowning. "I thought about it, but I''m worried it would backfire. Some people mighte up with a heinous n if there''s a reward. You know how it is.


    The people involved in the ck


    market would do anything for money."


    He reached over and gently held her hand, promising in aforting voice, "Leave this to me. I promise you that I''ll find a suitable bone marrow that doesn''t involve hurting the donor."


    Hope bloomed in Tessa''s eyes. "Really?"


    Stephen caressed her hand. "Yes. Trust me, Tess. But first, you have to eat." The warmth of his hand eased her nerves. "Okay."


    Tessa suppressed the sadness in her eyes and showed Stephen a genuine smile from the bottom of her heart. It was true that Stephen could help out in this case. She wasn''tcking money, but money wasn''t the solution for everything. Sometimes, what was needed was power.


    Stephen sent Tessa back to Marina Apartment after dinner. He apanied her for a while longer before taking his leave.


    By the time he got back to his vi, it was already 10:00 pm. He received a call from Lawrence just after he parked his car and stepped into the hall.


    "We got a lead, Mr. Jacobson. I''m outside now. Can Ie in and report it to you?"


    "Come in then."