Mary sat there for a moment, stunned.
She just left…?
As the realization sank in, her expression darkened.
"Unbelievable! No manners at all!" she muttered angrily to herself. "I didn't even say I was leaving, yet she walked off first. Does she even have any respect for her elders?"
She had deliberately dressed in her most extravagant jewelry set today, hoping to intimidate Mia and make her feel the vast difference between their statuses.
Before coming here, she had imagined putting Mia in her place—making the girl cater to her, maybe even watching her break down and call Ben in tears.
But none of that happened.
Instead, Mia had remained calm, indifferent, and completely unbothered.
And worse, she left before Mary had the chance to feel victorious.
Furious and unwilling to stay any longer, Mary stormed out of Groove Heights, already plotting how to complain to Ben about Mia.
She had never been so dissatisfied with a girl in her life.
The driver was already waiting at the entrance.
Mary had just gotten into the car when her phone rang.
Seeing Cindy's name flash on the screen, she took a deep breath and softened her tone before answering.
"Cindy, my dear," she said sweetly, "I just met Ben's so-called ex-girlfriend, and let me tell you—she has absolutely no manners. It was truly an eye-opener. You know what they say: 'You can dress her up, but you can't teach her class.'"
A spark of delight lit up Cindy's eyes on the other end of the call.
Perfect.
Mia had managed to offend Mary.
Even if Ben still harbored feelings for her, there was no way she'd ever be accepted again.
Speaking in a soft, soothing voice, Cindy said,
"Mrs. Smith, don't let her get to you. She's just some classless nobody—not worth your time."
To Cindy, girls without wealth or pedigree were all the same—unsophisticated, embarrassing, and out of place.
Mary huffed.
"You're the one who's truly likeable, Cindy. At least that girl knows what's good for her. She said she'll be leaving in a few days and won't be coming back. So I suppose she has some self-awareness after all."
"She really said that?" Cindy asked, eyebrows lifting in delight.
"Of course." Mary scoffed. "And even if she doesn't leave, I'll make sure she does. After the way she treated me today, there's no way I'd allow her to be with Ben."
"That's wonderful news," Cindy said sweetly. "Mrs. Smith, are you heading to the estate now? I'll come by to keep you company."
*
(Mia's POV)
After leaving Groove Heights, I went straight to the law firm to resign.
I had worked here for over three years—starting out as an intern, and eventually becoming a practicing attorney.
This small firm had witnessed my evolution—from a fresh graduate to a capable professional.
My assistant, Tyla Mellow, had just graduated from college this year. At twenty-two, she was three years younger than I was.
When I told her I was leaving, her eyes instantly turned red.
"Mia, why are you quitting all of a sudden?" she asked, voice trembling.
"I have some personal matters to take care of back home."
I hadn't thought much about resigning. But seeing Tyla on the verge of tears left me feeling a little heavy-hearted.
Our relationship wasn't just that of ordinary coworkers.
A year ago, Tyla had gone through a rough breakup.
Her ex handed her an itemized bill, demanding repayment. According to him, he had sent her over $20,000 during their two-year relationship.
When she refused to pay, he sued her.
Desperate, she came to the law firm.
That day, all the lawyers were out at court. The only one left in the office was me.
*
"That's not how it happened at all," Tyla had sobbed, barely able to get her words out.
"We lived together for two years. From the beginning, we agreed to split the rent, utilities, and living expenses fifty-fifty. He sent me $500 a month, which covered his half, and I paid the other $500.
"I didn't think much of it back then, so I just went along with it. But now that we've broken up, he's demanding I pay everything back, claiming all those transfers were 'gifts' made with marriage in mind. And since we didn't get married, I have to return the money."
"But that was just normal cost-sharing! How is that a gift? The total value of the actual presents he gave me barely adds up to $200. How does he have the audacity to sue me?!"
"I'm still a student. My parents only give me enough allowance to survive. I don't have $20,000 lying around—and I can't tell them either. If my dad finds out I was living with a guy during college, he'll kill me! Mia, please help me. I don't know what else to do."
*
The whole situation was beyond ridiculous.
Of all people, a law student should have seen it coming. But even smart girls can fall into the wrong hands.
I let out a weary sigh, feeling nothing but sympathy for the crying girl in front of me.
Generally speaking, most lawyers wouldn't take on a case for a client who couldn't afford the fees.
But I was different.
Not only did I take the case—I lent Tyla the money to file it properly.
At the time, I had only recently been licensed. I was still on salary, earning just $1,500 a month.
But without hesitation, I transferred her the funds so she could formally retain legal services.
Once the case began, I dug deep, unearthed evidence, and managed to build a solid argument in her favor—leading to a clear victory in court.
From that moment on, Tyla had admired me completely.
She never forgot what I did for her.
So much so that when she graduated, she immediately applied to work at the firm—just to be my assistant.