His Unveiled Passion novel Chapter 278

Everyone was stunned by Stephen's words.

Caleb's expression darkened. "Everyone here is family, Stephen. What are you implying? Are you suggesting that someone in our family would leak information to outsiders and put you in danger?"

Rowena added, "Stephen, you made it very clear before you left that we weren't to call the police. Even if I'm old and forgetful, I wouldn't do that. None of us called the police, and we would never risk your life by leaking information to outsiders."

Samuel added, "I assure you that Marianne and I didn't leak anything. Tessa was still in their hands. If we had leaked the information, both you and Tessa could have been killed. We would never take that risk. Even after Seline went missing shortly after, we remembered your warning and didn't call the police."

Sophia also strongly disagreed with Stephen's accusation. "There must be a misunderstanding here."

Jacqueline added, "Yes. There must be a misunderstanding. Could it have been one of Tessa's friends or colleagues who accidentally let something slip? Someone with ill intentions might have overheard and deliberately called the police to hurt you."

Before Stephen could respond, Tessa suddenly laughed.

She scoffed and sneered, "Zachary called the police. Jacqueline, you leaked the information to him, didn't you?"

Jacqueline's face turned pale."Tessa, what are you talking about? How could I possibly—"

Suddenly, a loud slap was heard.

Before Jacqueline could finish her sentence, Tessa slapped her across the face. The slap was so sudden and forceful that everyone in the room was stunned.

Jacqueline covered her cheek, tears welling up in her eyes. "Tessa, I know you've never liked me, but you can't just accuse me without any proof."

As she spoke, Jacqueline covered her cheek and turned to Rowena. "Grandma, you have to stand up for me."

Rowena's expression darkened instantly. "Tessa, how dare you slap Jacqueline in front of us! You have no manners at all! Is this how your parents raised you? Do you resort to violence at the slightest provocation? How dare you call yourself a well-mannered young lady from a prestigious family? You're nothing but a shrew!"

Caleb's face was equally stormy. After all, Jacqueline was his adopted daughter, a member of the Jacobson family. Tessa's action was nothing short of an insult to the Jacobson family.

Samuel continued furiously, "Tessa was kidnapped because of her connection to your family. Seline has also been taken to Arcton by your illegitimate son, and we don't even know if she's alive or dead. If it turns out that your adopted daughter leaked the information, slapping her would be the least of my concerns. I'd want to kill her myself! Letting her off with a slap is going easy on her."

"Samuel!" Rowena's chest heaved with anger as she pointed a trembling finger at him. "You've gone too far! How dare you threaten to kill Jacqueline? Do you have any respect for the law? I'll call the police right now and have you arrested!"

Samuel scoffed and retorted, "Call the police? Go ahead! Let them investigate thoroughly and find out exactly what happened with Tessa's kidnapping!"

"You—" Rowena's face turned pale, her breathing becoming labored as if she were on the verge of collapsing.