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."

looking at the necklace, one of Jodie's friends spoke dismissively, "This necklace costs over 50,000 dollars. Tessa's just a

settled

to converge on

was clear they all shared the same opinion as

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

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

gift?" was what he wanted to

was clear to

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

silent,

louder than any words

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

a bogus gift. Please

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

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

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

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

thousand dollars a month. After passing her licensing exams a year

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

even going out of her way

was different from the others, but it turned out she, too, looked down on her. In hindsight,

consented to the arranged marriage, Samuel had reactivated her access to her bank account. 50,000 dollars now felt like little more than pocket

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

Tessa

necklace might be seen as disrespecting

it would imply she believed the necklace was fake. On the surface, it would humiliate Tessa, but since Tessa was Zachary's girlfriend, it

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

"Zachary, don't be too hard

his face

someone suggested they play

walked over, eager to join the

her way to a quiet corner and sat down

sat beside her,

didn't acknowledge him, her attention

tone low and measured. "If you were short on money,

would've

to me," she replied flatly, her eyes still

look bad. Don't you realize

closed her eyes, taking a few deep

opened them

exactly did I do to embarrass you? The receipt's in the bag. Can't you check it

a moment before lowering his head to look