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.

jail time was Cassidy's other option, she would much rather suffer online

immediately made her

and said, "Ms. Yates, I'll

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

media accounts. I'll even compensate you

at

the outrageous things Bruno

one of Bruno's peers in Sudmere interjected loudly in 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 one of his men to look

the venue. Stephen's eyes immediately

no time pinning Bruno down

Bruno cried, his face smushed to the ground. "I didn't know you were a Yates. If I'd known who

such things toward the common folk, then?" Tessa's voice was as

that's not what I meant!"

chimed in once more. "He meant it exactly like that! Bruno's notorious for having his way with women

right! Bruno has always loved abusing his power to oppress the weak. You can't let him go

Then, she looked down at Bruno, demanding icily,

Don't listen to them.

of backstabbers trying to kick me when

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

phone started ringing. He looked at the caller

person on the other end

solemnly, "Mr. Jacobson, Bruno Tatum, the third son of Sudmere's Tatums, has been investigating Ms. Yates. He

them her picture and paid a large sum to

contacted me the second he saw

silent, seemingly unsure of how they should

out of patience, so he

voice dropped as they tentatively continued, "That don told me that Bruno wants to hire

only dared

Still, judging by

their voice had turned toward the end of their sentence, it was obvious that they were terrified that Stephen would shoot the messenger

He lowered his gaze toward Bruno, who was still thrashing on the

eyes made it seem as