The room was brightly lit as if it were daytime. Outside the window, snowkes began to fall, drifting silently in the quiet atmosphere.


    Tessa sat on the bed, holding her phone and making a call. She lowered her gaze


    to her toes and said, "I... I had a disagreement with Stephen."


    She was reluctant to say they had broken up. In her heart, she and Stephen merely quarreled.


    Naomi replied, "Oh, is that all? I thought something serious had happened. It''s just a lovers'' spat. Don''t worry, all couples argue. For New Year''s Eve, I''ll have my brother invite Stephen over. We''ll get together and create an opportunity for you two to be alone. No conflict can''t be resolved with a hug and a kiss."


    Naomi paused, then added with a mischievous grin, "And if that doesn''t work, you know what to do. Go all out, and all your problems will disappear."


    Naomi had always been this uninhibited, speaking without filters and rarely being serious. Although Tessa knew this was just her carefree personality, she still blushed at her friend''s shameless words.


    Seeing Tessa remain silent, Naomi said, "Don''t be embarrassed. Men like that sort of thing. You can''t reason with them. They prefer a more direct approach."


    Tessa reluctantly listened to Naomi''s rtionship advice for about ten minutes. After hanging up, her mind was filled with indescribable images.


    Indeed, Tessa shouldn''t have mentioned her situation with Stephen to Naomi.


    At night, Tessa couldn''t sleep. She tossed and turned in bed, unable to drift off. Thus, she decided to review all the recent events in her mind.


    She concluded that Stephen must have suggested breaking up to protect the Yates family from


    James. Once Stephen dealt with


    James she and Stephen would likely reconcile. Tessa could pretend not to know about this and act unfamiliar with Stephen in public while still maintaining private contact.  swnovel


    Tessa wanted to call Stephen and speak with him. She really missed him and wanted to hear his voice. However, seeing it was already 2:30 am, she decided against it.


    Stephen had been busy and tiredtely, and Tessa didn''t want to disturb his rest. She''d call tomorrow instead.


    Tessa sent Naomi a message


    instead. "Let''s not arrange to meet


    Stephen for New Year''s. Things between us are a bitplicated. I''ll exin in detail next time we meet. It''s not convenient for us to see each other right now."  swnovel


    ...


    The next morning, Stephen informed Ralph that he had already broken up with Tessa. Ralph arranged for an borate gift, then gathered Caleb and his wife to apany him and Stephen to the hospital to apologize to Samuel formally.  swnovel


    The Jacobson family''s housekeepers neatly arranged thevish gifts, premium health supplements, and fresh fruit before silently exiting Samuel''s hospital ward.


    Many people crowded around Samuel''s bed. Aside from Rowena, who was recovering from a cold and unable to leave the house, everyone from the Jacobson family was present.


    Ralph was the first to speak. "Samuel, I heard you were injured. I requested permission to return to Rivertown so I could visit you in person. I hope you recover soon."


    Ralphmanded power and respect even from Rivertown''s top officials. Yet here he was, speaking with such humility,pletely devoid of any air of superiority.


    Samuel was taken aback by Ralph''s humility. He hurriedly propped himself up on the bed, leaning against the headboard. His expression carried a hint of unease.


    "Mr. Jacobson Senior, you''re too kind. It''s nothing serious. There was no need for you to go to all this trouble."


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!