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

made

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

So, he turned to Tessa and apologized,

all my social media accounts. I'll even compensate you

at

still remembered the outrageous things Bruno had said at

Bruno! You

words echoed across the venue. Stephen's

guards wasted no time pinning Bruno down

his face smushed to the ground. "I didn't

things toward the common

what I

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

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

upon hearing their words. Then, she looked

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

backstabbers trying to kick me when I'm

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

looked

the other

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

so. He gave them her picture

me the

on the other end of the line fell silent, seemingly unsure of how they

patience, so he questioned sharply,

continued, "That don told me that Bruno wants to hire 10

only dared

Still, judging

it was obvious that they were terrified that Stephen would shoot the messenger if they went into

He lowered his gaze toward Bruno,

eyes made it seem