His Unveiled Passion

Chapter 283

"Tessa?" Wendy's internal alarms blared as her expression darkened. She strode forward, heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. "What are you doing

here?"

Seated elegantly on the couch, Tessa lifted her gaze slowly. A mocking smile played on her lips. "Well, well. If it isn't my doppelgänger. For a moment there, I thought some long-lost sister had appeared. Since when did you start playing the 'substitute' game?"

Wendy's face drained of color. Tessa had noticed?

Recovering quickly, she forced a scoff. "Copying you? Don't flatter yourself. Why would I need to imitate you?"

Tessa examined Wendy from head to toe. Then, she burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?" Wendy sneered.

"Just remembered an old tale." Tessa tilted her head, eyes glinting with malice. "Ever heard of it? Some knockoffs only highlight the original's superiority."

Wendy's manicured nails dug into her palms. Of course she knew the parable— the ugly peasant girl whose clumsy imitation of a beautiful woman became proverbial ridicule.

Wendy crossed her arms, looming over the seated figure. "You think you own this aesthetic? That no one else can possibly share your tastes without being a copycat?"

The identical hairstyle-pure chance. Even the

she could

was stunned to hear Zachary's pleasant voice, while Tessa stared at

Zachary? After all this time, you're still chasing after him? Are you that desperate

everyone mistakes

A flicker of pain crossed his features

knew all too well the

he'd

being called trash" was getting off lightly. He had no

just glad you're safe." Zachary stepped closer, his expression tender, eyes brimming with lingering

she rose from the couch and delivered a stinging slap

like a gunshot. A few scattered passersby whipped their heads toward the commotion.

at the front

gawked openly.

ladies in the company, including the receptionist, had a secret crush on

she weren't afraid of getting fired, the receptionist

The entiret