His Unveiled Passion

Chapter 9

Tessa woke up from her sleep naturally, and it was already 10:00 am when she opened her eyes.

"Ahh!!!" She stretched lazily. "Not having to go to work feels amazing."

She got up from bed, washed up, and went downstairs for breakfast.

The housekeeper, Emma Grant, had prepared breakfast for two. Tessa glanced at the empty seat across from hers but said nothing.

Emma, noticing that Tessa had come down, asked curiously, "Ms. Yates, isn't Mr. Gomez coming down for breakfast today?"

Tessa took a mouthful of her oatmeal porridge before replying, "He didn't come home last night, so he probably won't be eating."

"Oh," Emma said. She realized she had spoken out of turn and turned back toward the kitchen without further questions.

After finishing her breakfast, Tessa received a message from Stephen. He asked, "Tess, should we have the engagement gown custom-made or go with a brand's latest seasonal collection?"

Was it still possible to have a gown custom-made in time?

Tessa wasn't sure when the engagement date was, either. She asked through text, "When is the engagement date?"

Stephen texted back, "It's not set yet. We'll decide when you're done there and back in Rivertown." She messaged in response, "Okay, I should be done with everything here in nine days."

He said, "Alright."

Worried that a custom-made gown wouldn't be ready in time, Tessa replied, "Let's go with a brand's new season collection. I'll go pick one."

Stephen responded, "Okay, let me know once you have chosen."

Tessa was about to exit WhatsApp when a notification appeared from Zachary's chat. She pressed on it and saw there was a video.

In the dimly lit private room, a drunk Zachary leaned into Wendy's arms. He murmured, "Dee Dee, you're finally back. I... I knew you would come back... I've been waiting for you for five years..."

The background noise was filled with rowdy cheering. Tessa vaguely recognized several voices, some of which were Jodie and Zachary's friends.

They were all people she knew.

Wendy held Zachary with her head lowered. She smiled softly at

as his voice came in fragments. "I'm... I'm not drunk. I'm very much sober. You're Wendy Cox, and you're the one I love the most. I didn't misspeak, right? Look, I'm sober..." In the background, someone asked,

said, "Who's Tessa? I... I only love Dee

you." Jodie's voice rang out. "Look at him,

mockery flashed in Tessa's

being addressed as Jodie's sister-in-law

though. Those people never

The one who spoke was Jodie's best friend. She was the same woman who claimed that the necklace

quickly chimed in. "How could an ordinary woman like her ever let go of a

her lips curled into a cold sneer. Jodie would never say such things to her face. Tessa was now certain that the disdain she had seen

in reality, she was no different from the rest of them. She genuinely

Wendy. We're

like that Tessa, either. She should know her status and

about the domineering CEO falling in love. Her mind is full of marrying into a rich family. It's hilarious! She probably

not even in the same league as us. Zachary was just

was as calm as

had posted this video to assert her claim over Zachary. It was also to humiliate her, forcing her to face reality and leave Zachary

exactly what Wendy had in

would be heartbroken and cry uncontrollably after watching it. She pictured Tessa breaking up with Zachary afterward, then

the words of those people in the video had

still clinging to Wendy in the video, muttering sweet nothings. Tessa found it

across the screen of the phone as she typed a

saw the message, and her lips curled into a smirk. She quickly replied using Zachary's WhatsApp,

to one of the subsidiary companies under her family's empire. The profits

wealthiest and most influential families in the country.

never have imagined that Tessa's last name was the same Yates as

little incident didn't affect her

have a break, and Tessa didn't go anywhere today. Instead, she stayed in her room and spent the entire day browsing the official websites of major brands, selecting a gown for her engagement. Tessa

a champagne-colored base and light pink embroidery with diamonds scattered over it. The gown was decorated with three delicate pearl chains on each side. They started at the neckline, diagonally wrapping over the upper arm, and continuing to the back. The gown was dazzling and sweet, perfect

chest. It was cinched at the waist and hips, and the skirt was a mermaid style that trailed on the floor. The overall design was mature

cream-colored off-shoulder princess tulle gown. The outer layer was a delicate, white tulle. A few scattered blush pink rose petals adorned the skirt, giving it a romantic and graceful style. She posted pictures of

just ten minutes of posting, she received many