His Unveiled Passion

Chapter 316 Most of the deeds Jacqueline had done were aimed to ruin or even kill Tessa.

Therefore, Stephen specifically called Tessa over.

Rowena had hastily rushed to the Jacobson residence from the nursing hwhen she was informed that Stephen had something important to announce. She knew right then and there that Jacqueline was involved in the matter.

Caleb had also pushed his work aside just to hurry home.

Soon, the entire family congregated at the Jacobson residence's hall. They sat on the couches there, and the atmosphere was so heavy that one could cut it with a knife.

A flash of dislike flickered in Rowena's eyes when she saw that Tessa was there as well. Nevertheless, she played the pitiful elder card and asked, acting clueless, "Stephen, what's going on?" All eyes fell on Stephen.

Stephen wasn't fazed. Instead, he took his phone out and made a call, saying coldly, "Bring her over." Once he ended the call, he answered succinctly, "You'll know soon enough, Grandma." Rowena looked around the room, looking anxious.

Five minutes later, Lawrence walked in with Jacqueline in tow.

Rowena was caught off guard at the sight before she hobbled over. There was a look of abject disappointment on her face as she cried, "Jacqueline, what were you thinking?" Jacqueline's face was pale, her lips chapped, and her eyes sunken. She looked so frail, as if a mild breeze was enough to topple her.

Rowena's heartstrings tugged at the sight. She hesitated briefly before eventually asking, "Jacqueline, what have you been through these past few days? How did you end up like this?" "Grandma..." Jacqueline let out a pitiful whine as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Rowena's heart clenched. After all, she had raised Jacqueline ever since she was a little girl. Although Jacqueline had made mistakes, she couldn't bear to see her in such a piteous state.

All Rowena knew was that Jacqueline had been working for James, but she didn't know the nitty-gritty details. Therefore, she didn't know that Jacqueline had provoked Zachary into calling the cops, thereby making James attempt to kill Tessa. She also didn't know that Susan was following Jacqueline's orders by abducting Selina on Stephen's engagement day.

Rowena had absolutely no idea that her dearest granddaughter, Jacqueline, was the reason why Stephen had been stabbed at his engagement banquet in the first place.

In Rowena's eyes, James had played Jacqueline like a fiddle. That was why she had made mistakes. She believed there was still hope for Jacqueline.

She also didn't know that Susan was dead-and it wasn't just her. Jacqueline had also silenced Susan's father, as well as Garret and his mother, permanently.

Hope was far beyond Jacqueline's reach now.

Stephen parted his lips and intoned coldly, "Jacqueline, I shall say my piece before the entire family. I hereby renounce you as kin, and you are formally expelled from the family. Henceforth, you no longer have any ties to the Jacobson family." Jacqueline's eyes widened as her lips trembled.

Rowena furrowed her brows and barked in displeasure, "Stephen!" Stephen ignored her entirely. Instead, his sharp gaze never left Jacqueline. "You'll also grovel before Tess and apologize for your crimes." His eyes were so piercing that it felt as though they were blades threatening to tear Jacqueline apart. Jacqueline's complexion turned as white as a sheet, and she turned to look at Rowena pitifully. Then, she started sobbing, letting out broken cries, "Grandma..." Rowena felt her heart ache at the sight. So, she cast a slightly reproachful look at Stephen.

"Stephen, Jacqueline was in the wrong for falling for James' schemes. I'll punish her accordingly, but choosing to expel her from the family? Don't you think you've gone too far?" Tessa tugged her lips as a glint of mockery flashed in her eyes, but she remained silent as she watched the farce unfold before her eyes.

Caleb knew all the filthy details. So, he gently tugged Rowena aside and said sternly, "Mom, please." Rowena had a weak heart. As such, the Jacobsons all chose to hide Jacqueline's murderous deeds for fear that Rowena might collapse upon learning the truth.

Meanwhile, Stephen was already losing his patience. His expression was stony and severe. "I told you to beg for Tess' forgiveness, Jacqueline. Did you not hear me?"

"How could the Jacobsons' heiress grovel before another?" Rowena exclaimed with her nostrils flaring in offense while her chest heaved with anger. "Stephen, I've already told you that I'll punish her! Why are you making things so difficult for Jacqueline? She's your sister!" "My sister, you say?" Stephen sneered. "She's no longer a Jacobson."

Rowena raised her voice as she questioned Stephen, acting like a less, "How could you rampaging lioness, be sa be sq heartless, Stephen? You used to spoil Jacqueline. Why are you so determined to drive her out of the family?"

Stephen narrowed his eyes, exuding a dangerous air as he retorted, "Grandma, Jacqueline@ovets me, her brother she has committed numerous crimes, including murder! Are you going to persist in defending her after knowing all this?" Stephen's words caught Rowena off guard. She turned pale, and her eyes were wide as saucers. "What did you just say?" she blurted in shock.