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."

at 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 she possibly make in a month? There's no way she could

settled over the

converge

shared the same

wrap their heads around how someone like her could

if you're short on money, just tell me. I could've helped with the gift. I

fake gift?" was what he wanted

unspoken accusation was clear to everyone in

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

remained silent, his expression

silence spoke louder

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

give me a bogus gift. Please

Tessa could still sense a subtle disdain in her eyes. Her

it would convey her

to go through with an arranged marriage. She walked away from

freezing her bank account and cutting off all financial support. With no family connections to lean on, Tessa managed to land a job

lawyer, earning only four thousand dollars a month. After passing her licensing exams a year later, her salary improved,

down on her for being

ignore it, Jodie had occasionally stepped in, even going out of

the others, but it turned out she, too,

arranged marriage, Samuel had reactivated her access to

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

Tessa and Zachary,

hand over the necklace might be

if she complied, it would imply she believed the necklace was fake. On the surface, it would humiliate Tessa, but since

her arms and glaring coldly at

suddenly spoke up. "Zachary, don't be

remained silent, his face set in

someone suggested they play a

eager to join the drinking

made her way to a quiet corner and sat down on the

and sat beside

her attention

a long silence, he finally spoke, his tone low and measured. "If you were short

something more affordable. It would've been better than

just give it back to me," she replied flatly, her eyes still focused

bad. Don't you realize

closed her eyes, taking a few

them again and turned to face

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

moment before lowering his head to