Nancy yfully tossed her hair. She then wrapped her arm around Stephen''s, clearly staking her im. "You must be Ms. Yates. Nice to meet you I''m Nancy Lloyd, Steve''s girlfriend."


    Steve.


    Girlfriend.


    Tessa''s gaze dropped to Nancy''s hand resting on Stephen''s arm. A sharp, painful twist ran through her chest.


    Stephen stood motionless, his eyes flicking briefly to Nancy''s hand. His throat tightened, the urge to exin building inside him, but the words stayed stuck.


    Naomi had seen enough. She marched forward and tore Nancy''s hand off Stephen''s arm. "Take your hands off him!


    "If you want to unt your rtionship, do it somewhere else! This isn''t the ce for your public disy of affection!" Her face flushed with fury, her eyes burning with rage. "What''s the matter? Mr. Jacobson, can''t you afford to book a hotel room?"


    Her words were like a knife, cutting deep.


    Quentin was taken aback and quickly stepped in, attempting to diffuse the escting tension.


    He pulled Naomi back, urging, "Alright, alright, calm down. We''re all friends here. Let''s not make a scene."


    Naomi struggled against him, pushing him away. "Let go! Don''t stop me!"


    However, he held firm, his gaze pleading with her to calm down.


    Unfazed, Nancy shed a graceful smile. In a soft, coaxing voice, she turned to Stephen. "Steve, it looks like your friends aren''t too happy with us. Why don''t we get a room and have some time to ourselves?"


    Nancy, ever the actress, spoke with perfect poise. Every movement was intentional, embodying the sweet, innocent persona with an undercurrent of calcted charm.


    Tessa''s heart clenched at those words. Her doe-like eyes filled with unshed tears, her nose tingling with the weight of emotion. She struggled to keep herposure, determined not to cry in front of Stephen and Nancy.


    With a quiver in her voice, she forced herself to meet Stephen''s gaze. "Stephen, you have your reasons, don''t you? Just tell me. I''ll understand. Please, don''t do this... It''s really hurting me. Can we talk about this?"


    Her eyes shimmered with tears, and her voice faltered as she spoke, a choked sob escaping. "Didn''t you promise that as long as I didn''t ask for a breakup, you''d never leave me?"


    Stephen''s gaze was as cold and unfeeling as an abyss, his lips curling into a bitter, mocking smile. "Ms. Yates, we''re adults here. Do you really still believe in such naive promises?"


    The color drained from Tessa''s face.


    Her eyes burned with pain, and her lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but the words caught in her throat.


    Stephen''s heart tightened at the sight of her agony, and he couldn''t bring himself to look at her. Turning away, his voice was as cold as ice. "Ms. Yates, I''ve already made myself clear Please, stop this pointless drama. Let''s all maintain some dignity."


    She sagged like a deted balloon, her shoulders heavy with defeat.


    Her body wavered, barely able to stay upright. She took a few steps to the side, making way for the door.


    Seeing her distress, Sienna rushed


    over,


    Pulling her into a prot


    embrace. "It''s okay, Tessa.


    still


    have us. Everything will be alright...."


    II


    "Stephen, you''re going too far!" Naomi cried out, rushing toward him. She was ready tosh out, but Quentin grabbed her, holding her back.


    "Naomi, don''t do something you''ll regret!" he pleaded.


    As Siennaforted Tessa, she cast a discreet nce at Henry, who silently


    moved toward Stephen, whispering something in his ear.


    Momentster, Stephen and Nancy were on their way out.


    "I''m absolutely furious! How dare they?" Naomi fumed, her voice shaking with anger.


    Quentin tried to hold her back, clearly overwhelmed by the situation.


    Without warning, she spun around and shot him a fiery re.


    His heart sank, sensing the storm was about to hit.


    Sure enough, Naomished out, throwing a punch in his direction. "You can leave too!"


    "Naomi, it''s not my fault!" Quentin eximed, feeling more misunderstood than ever.


    Naomi''s anger red even more. "If you hadn''t brought Stephen here none of this would''ve happened! I came tofort Tessa, but before I could even do that, she ended up hurt again! Just leave! Get out!"


    With that, she forcefully shoved him toward the door.


    Sienna turned to Henry. "You and Quentin should go. I''ll stay with Naomi and Tessa. We women can take care of this."


    Henry didn''t argue, simply nodding in agreement. He pulled Quentin along, ushering him out of the room.