His Unveiled Passion

At that moment, Marianne entered the ward, carrying a thermos with her.

Marianne froze when she saw the charm in Lester's palm.

She recognized that charm. She also knew how much it took for someone to succeed in obtaining that charm from Lacroix Summit.

When Tessa's mother, Tyla, had been gravely ill, Samuel had gone to Lacroix Summit just to obtain a charm like that one.

Unfortunately, Tyla still died in the end.

Marianne's lashes fluttered when she thought of that, her heart twisting in pain.noveldrama

She looked somewhat astonished when she called out to Lester, asking, "Lester, did you get this charm yourself?"

Her eyes remained fixated on the charm. It was as if her mind was a thousand miles away as she reminisced about the past.

Lester continued to gaze at Tessa before responding quietly, "Yes."

Marianne was shocked. Still, she quickly snapped out of it and began to scrutinize Lester closely.

Lester had visited the Yates residence with Cassandra quite often. Hence, Marianne naturally knew who he was.

She had suspected that he might have feelings for Tessa at the time. There was just something about the way he looked at her.

Yet, Tessa insisted they were friends and nothing more. So, Marianne didn't say her suspicions aloud.

However, there was no use pretending that Lester's feelings for Tessa were platonic now. Not after he had gone all the way to Lacroix Summit for a charm.

Lester's feelings for Tessa went far beyond just mere friendship. He was clearly deeply in love with her.

Tessa couldn't find it in herself to reject his gift, especially since it was a sincere gesture.

Regardless, she instinctively avoided Lester's gaze when she accepted the charm. She lowered her eyes and murmured, "Thank you."

Sienna and Naomi exchanged a glance.

They both saw the surprise and realization on their faces.

Even the usually bubbly Naomi fell silent. She had once said that Lester and Tessa would make for a good couple.

Nonetheless, now wasn't the time for jokes.

Tessa had barely survived her ordeal under James' and Jacqueline's less-than- tender ministrations.

She couldn't help but think sadly, "It seems that Stephen and Tessa will never ever get back together."

She had been Tessa's best friend for years. So, she could tell that Tessa was still deeply in love with Stephen.

She also knew that Tessa had to be hurting after everything that had happened so far.

Fate was truly a cruel mistress sometimes.

Naomi and Sienna both sighed inwardly, quietly mourning a romance that just wasn't meant to be.

Another ten days came and went. Caleb's health deteriorated by the day. He had become so frail that every physical change he was experiencing was visible to the naked eye. He had nearly gone bald and was little more than skin and bones. It wouldn't be an understatement to call him a

walking skeleton.

Rowena was already past her prime now. When she learned about Jacqueline's betrayal, she fell into depression. Coupled with her weak heart, it seemed as though she had aged at least a decade in just half a month.

She was now barely hanging on by a thread. It was likely that she would pass on

if Caleb were to die.

A sense of gloom had enveloped the Jacobson residence. The very building seemed to be emanating a suffocating air of death.

None of the staff dared to make a peep for fear that the slightest mishap would cost them their jobs.

Ralph had only stayed in Rivertown for three days before returning to Jordanville. He had to make a trip abroad the day after.

He had a diplomatic job assigned to him months in advance. He couldn't afford to reschedule or have someone replace him at the very last minute. Although Ralph was a powerful man, his power also came with sacrifices.

One of them was his failure to be there for his family, even while they were on

their deathbeds.

In the meantime, a nanny was serving lunch at the hospital.