His Unveiled Passion

Chapter 2

Zachary instinctively shrugged the woman's hand off his arm, and her expression instantly hardened. "I'm also friends with Jodie. Is it really so odd that I'm here at her birthday party?" Tessa asked, a faint, almost mocking smile on her lips.

"No, it's just that I thought you weren't a fan of parties like this, so I didn't bring it up," he explained. Tessa couldn't help but sneer inwardly. Was that honestly the reason he hadn't mentioned it?

It felt more like he'd deliberately left her out, planning to bring someone else instead.

Zachary scanned the room, his eyes icy and probing, as if silently asking, "Who let her in?"

Unnerved, Jodie quickly looked away, acting as though it was none of her concern.

"Hi, you must be Tessa Yates. I'm Wendy Cox," the woman who had arrived with Zachary said, stepping forward to introduce herself. "I'm sure Zachary's mentioned me."

So, this was Wendy-the woman who had been Zachary's first love.

Tessa's heart ached, a heavy weight pressing down on her chest. After all, she had been in a relationship with Zachary for three years, and emotions weren't something that could just be erased in an instant.

Luckily, Tessa was good at masking her feelings. She gave a faint, polite smile and nodded toward Wendy. "Ms. Cox, it's a pleasure to finally meet you."

Wendy flashed a bright smile. "Ms. Yates, has anyone ever told you we look a little alike?"

The moment the words left Wendy's mouth, Zachary's expression soured.

Tessa couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of him. With a subtle smile, she shifted her gaze to Wendy, meeting her provocative stare.

"What? Really?" Tessa blinked her large, dewy eyes, her voice carrying a hint of innocence. "I don't see it. You're just not as pretty as I am."

The onlookers were left in stunned silence.

Wasn't Tessa always the quiet, well-behaved one? Why did everything she said today feel so tense? Sensing the shift in the atmosphere, Jodie quickly stepped in to redirect the conversation.

"Okay, enough standing-let's sit down," she suggested.

Wendy quickly pushed aside her irritation with Tessa. Forcing a smile, she handed her gift to Jodie. "Happy birthday, Jodie. I got you something."

As Jodie took the gift, she couldn't help but notice the bag was exactly like the one Tessa had given her earlier.

Surprised, Jodie pulled the gift box from the bag and opened it. "Wow, I've been eyeing this necklace for ages. Thank you so much, Wendy."

Tessa's eyes widened. How could this be the same necklace she had bought?

Jodie then reached for the gift Tessa had given her earlier, pulling it from the bag again. "Wow! Tessa, yours is the same necklace too!"

"It must be a fake."

50,000 dollars. Tessa's just a small-time lawyer-how much could she possibly make in a month?

uncomfortable silence settled

glances began to converge on Tessa from

shared the same opinion as the person who had just

Tessa was just an unknown lawyer; they couldn't wrap their

darkened. "Tessa, if you're short on money, just tell

would you give a fake gift?" was what he wanted to say, but he couldn't bring himself to

unspoken accusation was clear to everyone in the

his gaze. "Zachary, do you think

silent, his

spoke louder than

to ease the tension. "No way. Tessa and I are close

never give me a bogus gift. Please stop saying things like

Tessa could still sense a subtle disdain in her

dollars on the necklace, hoping it would convey her gratitude

Tessa had cut ties with her family after refusing to go through with an arranged marriage. She walked away from

support. With no family connections to lean on, Tessa managed to

her first year, she worked as a trainee lawyer, earning only four thousand dollars a month. After passing her licensing exams a year later, her salary improved, but it was still modest. To those in

being

stepped in, even going

Jodie was different from the others, but it turned out she, too, looked down

access to her bank account. 50,000 dollars now felt

necklace. I'll replace it with a proper birthday gift later," Zachary interjected. "Tessa didn't know

glanced between Tessa and

over the necklace

On the surface, it would humiliate Tessa, but since

give it to him," Tessa said, folding her arms and glaring

the side, Wendy suddenly spoke up. "Zachary, don't be too hard on

his face set

tension, someone suggested they

walked over, eager to

commotion, Tessa made her way to a quiet corner and sat

followed and sat beside her,

acknowledge him, her

tone low and measured.

bought something more affordable. It would've been better than gifting

you're so sure it's fake, then just give it back to me," she replied flatly,

look bad. Don't you

taking

opened them again

embarrass you? The receipt's in the bag. Can't you check it yourself, or should I take you to the store and have them

froze for a moment before lowering his