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."

the necklace, one of Jodie's friends spoke dismissively, "This necklace costs over 50,000 dollars. Tessa's just a small-time lawyer-how much could

uncomfortable silence settled over

to converge on Tessa from all

shared the same opinion as the person

unknown lawyer; they couldn't wrap their heads around how someone like her could afford such an

money, just tell me.

was what he wanted to say,

clear to everyone in the room,

as she met his gaze. "Zachary, do you think my gift to her is fake

remained silent,

louder than any

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

Please stop

tried to defuse the situation, Tessa could still sense a subtle disdain in her eyes.

convey her gratitude for all the kindness Jodie had shown her in

with her family after refusing to go through with an arranged marriage. She walked away from everything, moving to Haverford

to lean on, Tessa managed to land a job at a law

month. After passing her licensing exams a year

and heiresses in Zachary's world had always looked down on her for being "poor". They'd deliberately leave her out when they went out, making her feel

had occasionally stepped in, even going out of her way to strike up a conversation with

was different from the others, but it turned out she,

Samuel had reactivated her access to her

it with a proper birthday gift later," Zachary interjected. "Tessa didn't know any better. Sorry

glanced between Tessa

to hand over the necklace might be seen as disrespecting

the necklace was fake. On the surface, it would humiliate Tessa, but

folding her arms and glaring coldly at Zachary. With that, Jodie reluctantly handed the necklace over to

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

his face set in a

ease the tension, someone suggested they

and walked over, eager to join the drinking

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

followed and sat beside her,

acknowledge him, her attention absorbed by

long silence, he finally spoke, his tone low and

affordable. It would've been

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

bad. Don't you

her eyes, taking a few deep

a moment, she opened them again and

did I do to 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 confirm it

a moment before lowering his