His Unveiled Passion

Stephen tilted his head slightly, shooting a piercing glare at Cassidy. "I don't hear a single hint of sincerity in your apology."

Cassidy was so frightened that she immediately started crying, pleading to Tessa, "I'm sorry, Ms. Yates. I'm really, really sorry. Please have mercy on me. I shouldn't have humiliated you like that earlier. Please give me a chance to right my wrongs."

Tessa's eyes were ice cold. "I want you to write a public apology and post it on all your social media accounts. I want it pinned to your wall for a month. Naturally, you'll also be compensating me 10,000 dollars."

Cassidy turned pale upon hearing Tessa's conditions. She looked discomfited as she said hesitantly, "Ms. Yates, I have over 10,000 fans on my Instagram and Twitter accounts. I usually rely on those accounts to earn a living. It'll affect my image if I post that apology."

"So, are you saying you won't do it?" Tessa regarded her coldly.

Cassidy worried her bottom lip, deliberately turning up the pathetic look on her face. "I didn't say I won't do it. It's just that going about it will be challenging. You're threatening my livelihood by doing this."

Just then, someone in the crowd piped up. "Ms. Yates, she claims to be a highly educated heiress online."

Tessa's voice was cool as she said, "You can choose not to apologize."

A flash of glee appeared in Cassidy's eyes. "Thank you, Ms. Yates. I knew you'd

She hadn't even finished her sentence when Tessa interjected, "Then, I'll have no choice but to pursue legal action."

The smile on Cassidy's lips froze right then and there.

The onlookers started whispering amongst themselves once more.

"Ms. Yates is so kind. If I were in her shoes, I would've used this opportunity to humiliate Cassidy."

Someone muttered lowly, "Are you sure that's kindness? Personally, I think Ms. Yates is ruthless. You've truly underestimated just how shameless Cassidy can be. Once everything blows over, she'll definitely use that account to rake in the cash."

"I agree. It's exactly as she said. You know how forgetful netizens are."

Cassidy's eyes flickered as she considered her options.

Considering how powerful the Jacobson and Yates families were, there was a high chance this wouldn't end with just an apology and monetary compensation if they were to go to court.

There was even a chance that she'd end up in jail.

Cassidy remembered an influencer named Wendy Cox who was found spreading malicious rumors about someone. She later heard that Wendy was sued for slander and promptly sent to the slammer.

other option, she would much rather

made

the bullet and said, "Ms. Yates, I'll do as

way kinder than Stephen. So, he turned to Tessa and apologized, saying, "Ms. Yates, I'm very sorry. I'll

social media accounts. I'll even compensate you with 20,000 dollars for

at

remembered the outrageous things

an attempt to get into Stephen and Tessa's good graces, "Mr. Jacobson, Ms. Yates, don't listen to Bruno! You can't let him go just like that. Two days ago, he sent

across the venue. Stephen's eyes immediately turned

no time pinning Bruno down to the

This is all a misunderstanding! Ms. Yates, Mr. Jacobson, I swear none of that has ever happened!" Bruno cried, his face smushed to the ground.

to say such things toward

that's not what I meant!" Bruno

like that! Bruno's notorious for having

has always loved abusing his power to oppress the

their words. Then, she looked down at Bruno, demanding

himself, blurting, "No! Don't listen to them.

trying to kick me when I'm

lips into a frosty smirk. "I'll have someone

looked at the caller ID before answering the

person on the other end

Jacobson, Bruno Tatum, the third son of Sudmere's Tatums, has been investigating Ms.

gave them her picture and paid a

me

person on the other end of the line fell silent, seemingly unsure of how they should word their next

run out of patience,

voice dropped as they tentatively continued, "That don told me that Bruno wants to hire 10 men to rape her before... dumping her body into the sea to feed the

only dared to mention

Still, judging by

obvious that they were terrified that Stephen would shoot the

that report. He lowered his gaze toward Bruno, who was

made it