Chapter 3 Depending on One’s Mood

He paused for a moment, then finally turned and left.

The banquet hall fell into an eerie silence.

Everyone's eyes were like spotlights, all fixed on Tessa in unison.

Full of contempt and pity.

They had all witnessed that drama of being a homewrecker for love.

They had seen with their own eyes how Ethan doted on Lila.

And they had also seen how humble Tessa, the substitute, had been.

"Lila's already gone. What's Ms. Garcia still doing here? Waiting for Ethan to come back and give you severance pay?"

Willow said sarcastically, breaking the silence.

She held a glass of champagne and walked slowly up to Tessa, looking gleeful at her misfortune.

People nearby joined in the mockery. Evan snorted, "Tessa, don't do anything stupid. Ethan still cares about you."

"But honestly, Ethan and Lila are perfect for each other. Why don't you just back off? You can't monopolize Ethan's love."

"Why not consider me instead? We're not bad either. Sure, we're not as rich as Ethan, but I guarantee I'll treat you better than he does."

As he spoke, he reached out to touch Tessa's face.

Tessa frowned slightly, glanced at him like he was bad luck, and stepped aside to avoid him, her smile remaining perfectly in place.

She ignored Evan's harassment and instead looked at Willow, her voice clear and calm.

"Ms. Brown, since this is Ms. Johnson's welcome party, I assume you're paying for today's bill?"

Willow froze, clearly not expecting her to bring this up suddenly. She instinctively puffed out her chest, "Of course, I..."

"That's good."

Tessa interrupted her, took out her phone from her bag, and skillfully opened a page.

"Our custom clothing starts at six figures for the basic design. The final price depends on the fabric and design complexity. Since it's for Ms. Johnson, it certainly can't be too shabby."

"Ms. Brown, will you be paying through the company account or personally? Mr. Robinson has already paid the deposit. I'll send you the full payment amount later."

"Considering how busy you are, Ms. Brown, paying now shouldn't be too much of a problem."

Tessa's tone was flat, without a trace of grievance or anger.

As if she wasn't the center of this joke at all. Willow's face darkened.

"Tessa, I get that you're tight on cash, but this is ridiculous. Six figures for this little shop of yours?"

"Ms. Brown, watch your words."

Tessa put down her phone and glanced at her coolly. "Every piece I create is my heart and soul, clearly priced."

"If you think it's expensive, it means my designs don't match your spending level. I completely understand."

Her implication was clear: you can't afford it.

"You!" Willow trembled with anger.

"Also, sir, wasn't it you who just said we should celebrate Ethan and Lila's child coming soon?"

"I'll drink to that."

She picked up the unfinished glass of red wine from earlier, raised it toward the air, then drank it all in one go.

After finishing, she set the empty glass down heavily on the table with a crisp sound.

"I've had the drink, sent my blessing. Now I should be able to leave."

"I'm not interested in these wealthy family dramas." Tessa raised an eyebrow, looking at the man beside her.

"And I'm even less interested in idiots with no emotional intelligence or brains."

With that, Tessa gathered her things and turned to leave.

The whole process was smooth and effortless.

She was both composed and calm. Today's party had been a trap from the start. The client's request for her services was just to watch her become a laughingstock.

Everyone present was stunned.

Was this still the same Tessa who followed behind Ethan, docile as a cat, not even daring to speak loudly?

The flippant smile on Evan's face froze too. Looking at Tessa, he suddenly felt this woman was terrifyingly unfamiliar.

"Tessa, who are you trying to fool with this act?"

Willow wasn't willing to let it go and shrieked, "Don't think we don't know—the money you used to open that shop all came from Ethan. What right do you have to put on airs here?"

"A woman Ethan's used up and thrown away—I wouldn't want you even if you were offered to me."

Tessa zipped up her bag and finally looked at her directly, her lips curving into the faintest smile.

"First, I opened this shop with my own money. It has nothing to do with Ethan."

"Second, even if I did spend his money, that's between us. What right do you have to gossip about it?"

"Third, whatever's going on between Ethan and Lila is their business. You all seem to have nothing better to do than play matchmaker for them."

"What, are you their parents? Why so concerned?"

Tessa didn't spare them another glance. She turned and walked away, her back straight as an arrow.

Even after her figure disappeared through the doorway, the banquet hall remained deathly quiet.

Evan stared at the doorway for a long moment before finally cursing: "Damn, when did that woman get so badass?"

Meanwhile, Lila's stomach problems flared up from drinking, and it took a while before she finally fell asleep.

Ethan sat on a hospital bench and lit a cigarette.

His mind was full of Tessa's ice-cold expression when he left.

Calm. So calm it made him want to get angry.

For some reason, he felt inexplicably anxious. Ethan irritably stubbed out his cigarette.

Everyone knew Tessa was Lila's substitute, his plaything.

But Tessa didn't know that.

She thought they were true love.

For three years, Tessa had been completely obedient to him.

She would occasionally throw little tantrums like a kitten, but always within his tolerance.

Today's situation was indeed too ridiculous.

Ethan felt guilty and had some intention of placating her.

When this woman threw tantrums, all she wanted was some compensation.

He could buy her a bag or say a few nice words, and he'd be able to coax her back.

When Ethan returned to the villa, it was already ten at night, holding a bouquet of roses.

He opened the door to find the house pitch black and cold, completely lacking the warm atmosphere that usually greeted him.

No familiar dishes on the table.

No familiar face on the sofa.

"Tessa?"

He called out softly. No response.

Ethan frowned and turned on the lights. When he walked into the bedroom, that feeling of something being wrong grew stronger and stronger.

He pulled open the closet. The clothes that had filled it with a woman's presence were now completely empty.

Ethan's heart skipped a beat. In all these years, Tessa had never left this home.

He strode quickly back to the entrance and looked sharply at the shoe cabinet.

The spare key was lying quietly on the cabinet surface.

Ethan decisively pulled out his phone and removed that familiar number from his blacklist.

"Hello."

On the other end, Tessa's voice sounded somewhat distant, with a hint of impatience.

"Where are you?"

Ethan suppressed his anger, his voice tight.

"Is there something you need?"

Her indifferent tone completely ignited Ethan's fury.

"Don't make me ask you twice."

There was a moment of silence on the other end, then her light, airy voice came through.

"The company had an urgent business trip. I left in a hurry."

"Business trip?"

Ethan was skeptical. "You needed to take all your clothes on a business trip?"

"Not much stuff, just grabbed it on the way out. Why, worried I ran away?"

Tessa's tone was flat, revealing no emotion.

The man let out a breath. Thinking it over, Tessa was so dependent on him that she couldn't possibly leave.

It was just a business trip.

"Nothing. How long until you're back?"

"Depends on my mood."

The call was promptly and decisively disconnected, leaving only a busy tone in the receiver.