First Love's Return, Heiress Strikes Back

< Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Taryn took the gift and politely thanked her.

arm

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with a woman who Mariela was unfamiliar with.

As they exchanged pleasantries, Jaarrived late, arm in

When their eyes met, Jawas stunned.“Marie? Why are you here?”

Jainstinctively brushed away the hand of the Woman on his arm, and her expression stiffened.

“I am friends with Taryn, too. Is it strange forto cto her birthday party?” Mariela looked at Jawith a

half-smile. “No, | didn’t mean that. | thought you didn’t like attending such parties, so | didn’t tell you in

advance,” he said. Mariela sneered, thinking, “Really? You big liar.

“You didn’t tellbecause you wanted to bring someone else.”

After Jafinished explaining, he coldly scanned the room.

The look in her eyes seemed to be asking who invited her here.

Taryn averted her gaze nervously, pretending it wasn’t her doing.

*Hello. You must be Mariela, right? I'm Juliette. You must have heard aboutfrom Jay,” the woman who came

with Jaapproached Mariela, greeting her.

Mariela thought, “So, this is Juliette, Jaime’s first love as well as his beloved.”

She still felt a pang in her heart, her chest tight. After all, she had been seeing Jafor three years. She

couldn't just stop loving him overnight. But she masked her emotions well. With a smile, she nodded and said,

“I've heard a lot about you, Ms. Murphy.” Juliette smiled and looked at her, “Ms. Logan, has anyone ever told you

that we look a bit alike?”

Jaime’s expression immediately darkened.

Amused, Mariela glanced at him and then turned her gaze away to meet Juliette’s slightly provocative eyes.

beg to differ. I'm

“Oh? Is that so?” Mariela blinked. Then she said

The onlookers were shocked.

innocently, “1

prettier than you.”

“They all thought that Mariela was the gentle, sweet type. What had gotten into her today?

As the atmosphere was becoming awkward, Taryn changed the subject.

“Hey, guys, why are you all standing there? Cand have a seat.”

Juliette suppressed her annoyance with Mariela, forced a smile, and handed Taryn her gift.“Happy birthday,

Taryn. This is a gift for you.” Taryn took it and was surprised to see it was identical to the gift bag Mariela had

given her. I've liked this necklace for a long time. Thank you, Juliette.”

was too much of a coincidence.

She took out the gift box from the bag and opened it with surprise.“WowG

Mariela paused. It was the snecklace she got for Taryn. Taryn opened the gift bag

gift bag that Mariela had just given her.“Wow! Marie, you gavethe snecklace!”

“It must be fake.”

One of Taryn’s friends behind her said without glancing at the necklace, “This necklace costs almost 10,000

dollars. Mariela is just a Z-list lawyer, and her monthly incisn’t enough for her to buy such a pricey necklace

for you.”

< Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Menu

The scene instantly fell silent.

Everyone looked at Mariela, their gazes strange.

Apparently, they agreed with Taryn’s friend.

Mariela was just an unknown lawyer. Of course, she wouldn't spend that much on a

Japulled a long face.“Marie, if you need money, you can

How could you give Taryn a fake?

tell me.

And h

gift for Taryn. The necklace must have been fake.

Jacouldn't bring himself to say the words that followed, but “uld have helped you with the gift. How could

Velen”

Mariela looked at him coldly and asked, “Jaime, do you also think

Jaremained silent with a sullen face.

neckla

is

His answer was obvious.

Mariela was disappointed.

Though she said that, Mariela could see a hint of disdain in her eyes.

Taryn smiled awkwardly, trying to mediate, “How could that be? I'm friends with Marie. She her feelings.”

wouldn't

me

a

fake. Don't say that. It'll hurt

The reason why she spent almost 10,000 dollars buying this necklace for Taryn was to thank Taryn for taking

care of her.

Three years ago, Mariela ran away to Los Angeles because she refused an arranged marriage and had a fallout

with her family. Deandre Logan, her dad, froze her bank account and cut off her financial resources. Without

using any of her family’s connections, she found a job at a law firm through her own efforts.

In her first year, she worked as an intern lawyer, earning only 4,000 dollars per month. After one year, when she

obtained her lawyer's license, her salary increased, though only slightly in the eyes of these people, she was

broke.

a few

Jaime’s rich friends had always looked down on her, seeing her as a “pauper”. They often subtly excluded and

isolated her during outings.

Jaturned a blind eye, but Taryn helped her out

times and even initiated conversations with her.

Marie thought that Taryn was different from others, but it turned out Taryn looked down on her, too.

How ridiculous.

The night she agreed to the marriage, Deandre restored her bank account access.10,000 dollars was nothing to

her.

“Givethe necklace. I'll get you another birthday gift,” Jasaid.“l apologize for Marie's mistake.”

Taryn glanced at Mariela and then glanced at Jaime, caught in a dilemma.

If she didn’t give him the necklace, he'd feel embarrassed.

If she gave it to him, it'd mean she also believed the necklace was fake. Though it seemed to embarrass Mariela,

since Mariela was Jaime’s girlfriend, he’d be the one being embarrassed anyway.

“He wants

it. Just give it to him then.” Mariela crossed her arms and looked coldly at Jaime.

Taryn could only hand over the necklace to him.

Juliette, who was aside, suddenly spoke, “Jay, don’t blMs. Logan. She meant well.”