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."

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 something so

uncomfortable silence settled over

converge on Tessa from

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

Tessa was just an unknown lawyer; they couldn't wrap their heads around how someone

on money, just tell

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

was clear to

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

remained silent,

spoke louder than

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

give me a bogus gift. Please stop saying

the situation, Tessa could still sense a subtle disdain in her eyes. Her heart

over 50,000 dollars on the necklace, hoping it would convey

with her family after refusing to go through with an arranged

and cutting off all financial support. With no family connections to lean on,

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 Zachary's social circle, she

her for being

stepped in, even

turned out she, too,

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

with a proper birthday gift later," Zachary interjected. "Tessa

between Tessa

necklace might be seen as disrespecting

surface, it would humiliate Tessa, but since Tessa was Zachary's girlfriend, it would also tarnish his reputation in

just give it to him," Tessa said, folding her arms and glaring coldly at Zachary.

don't be too hard on Ms. Yates.

face

ease the tension, someone suggested they play a

over, eager to join the drinking and

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

followed and sat beside her,

acknowledge him, her attention absorbed by

tone low

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,

bad. Don't you realize

her eyes, taking a few deep

moment, she opened them again and turned to

check it yourself, or should I take you to the store and have them confirm

a moment before lowering