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."

over 50,000 dollars. Tessa's just a

silence settled over

glances began to converge on

same opinion as the person who had just

their heads around how

you're short on money, just tell me. I

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

to

"Zachary, do you think my gift to her is fake

remained silent,

spoke louder

laugh, attempting to ease the tension. "No way. Tessa and I are

Please

still sense a subtle

the necklace, hoping it would convey her gratitude for all

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

With no family connections to lean on, Tessa managed to land a job at a law firm purely through her own perseverance

her licensing exams a year later, her salary improved, but it was still modest.

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

chose to ignore it, Jodie had occasionally stepped in, even going out of her way

out

the arranged marriage, Samuel had reactivated her access to

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

Tessa and Zachary, clearly

necklace might

imply she believed the necklace was fake. On the surface, it would humiliate

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

suddenly spoke up. "Zachary, don't be

silent, his face set in

the tension, someone suggested

over, eager

her way to a quiet

beside

her attention absorbed by

tone low and measured. "If you were short

bought something more affordable. It would've been better

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

me look bad. Don't you realize

her eyes, taking

them again and turned

receipt's in the bag. Can't you check it

a moment before lowering his head to look for the