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

made

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

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

apology on all my social media accounts. I'll even

glared at

still remembered the outrageous things Bruno

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 into you and even told us he's

words echoed across the venue. Stephen's eyes

wasted no time pinning Bruno

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. "I didn't know you were a Yates. If I'd known who you were, I

that it's alright for you to say such things toward the common folk, then?" Tessa's voice was as frigid as

that's not what

exactly like that! Bruno's notorious for having his way with women

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

their words. Then, she looked down at Bruno, demanding icily, "Is

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

trying to kick me when

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

Stephen's phone started ringing. He looked at the caller ID before

the

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

picture and paid a large sum to

me the

the line fell silent, seemingly unsure of how they should word

had run out of patience, so he questioned sharply,

caller's 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

dared to

Still, judging

was obvious that they were terrified that Stephen would shoot the

knuckles turned white upon hearing that report. He lowered his gaze toward Bruno, who was

made it seem as