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."

one of Jodie's friends spoke dismissively, "This necklace costs over 50,000 dollars. Tessa's just a small-time lawyer-how much could she possibly make in a month? There's no way she could afford

silence settled over the

began to converge on Tessa from all

clear they all shared the same opinion as the person who had

lawyer; they couldn't wrap their heads around

short on money, just tell me. I could've helped with the gift. I don't understand

he wanted to say, but he couldn't bring himself to finish

unspoken accusation was clear to everyone in the room,

she met his gaze. "Zachary, do you think my gift

remained silent, his

louder

a nervous laugh, attempting to ease the tension. "No way. Tessa and

bogus gift. Please stop saying things like that-it's

to defuse the situation, Tessa could still sense a subtle disdain in

necklace, hoping it would convey her gratitude for all the kindness

go through with an arranged marriage. She walked away from everything,

off all financial support. With no family connections to lean on, Tessa managed to land

month. After passing her licensing exams a year later, her salary improved,

always looked down on her for being "poor". They'd deliberately leave her out when they went

it, Jodie had occasionally stepped in, even going out of her way to strike up a

out she, too, looked down on her. In

consented to the arranged marriage, Samuel had reactivated her 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

glanced between Tessa and Zachary, clearly

to hand over the necklace might be seen

would humiliate Tessa, but since Tessa was Zachary's girlfriend, it would also

said, folding her arms and glaring coldly at Zachary. With that,

up. "Zachary, don't be too

remained silent, his face set

ease the tension, someone suggested they play

eager to join the drinking and

in the commotion, Tessa made her way to a

sat beside her, his expression

didn't acknowledge him, her attention absorbed

spoke, his tone low and measured. "If you were

something more affordable. It would've been better than

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

bad. Don't you realize

closed her eyes, taking a

moment, she opened them again and

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

moment before lowering his head to