Chapter 90
"Teresa, we just spoke a few days ago, remember? About the dress?" Unity scrambled to regain her composure, hoping Teresa would throw her a lifeline and save face by playing along with the charade.
"Sorry, I really don't recall that at all," Teresa replied, the smile fading from her face, offering not an ounce of the dignity Unity was desperately seeking.
No matter what, Unity's past meddling, when she craftily took Teresa's place in Gabriel's room, made it clear that any semblance of friendship wasn't worth preserving. Perhaps Unity had never truly seen her as a friend in the first place.
"Teresa, you…"
"Miss Hayden Bush has arrived!"
Just when Unity was at a loss for words, trying to wriggle her way out of the awkward situation, a clear voice announced the new arrival.
"The Bush from the capital city? Cynthia really is prestigious; with the Bush family's presence, this event just leveled up," someone in the crowd commented.
Teresa too, grew curious and glanced towards the grand entrance.
Sure enough, who else could it be but Hayden herself?
Hayden was the epitome of grace and elegance in her pale teal dress, looking absolutely gorgeous. Coupled with her notable status, she instantly became the center of attention.
"Ah, Miss Bush, what an honor to have you here — your arrival truly brightens this event," Aaron greeted her, his eyes warm with a welcoming smile.
"Come on now, stop it, here's the birthday gift for Cynthia," Hayden said, grabbing the present from someone behind him and putting it into Aaron's arms. Glancing around the room, she then inquired directly, "Have the Bennett siblings arrived?"
"The Bennetts?"
"Yep, right over there!" Aaron was briefly taken aback but quickly recovered with a smile, pointing towards where William and Teresa were.
"Thanks!" Hayden said with a grin, making her way toward William and Teresa's location.
At that moment, William was engaged in conversation with a group of business folks, enjoying a drink. Catching sight of Hayden approaching out of the corner of his eye, he addressed the group with an amiable excuse, "Excuse me for a moment."
With that, he picked up his drink and slipped out through a side door, heading for the hall outside.
"Teresa." Hayden glanced at William's retreating back before walking up to Teresa with a friendly smile.
Seeing Hayden's approachable demeanor with Teresa, everyone held her in higher regard, smiling and greeting Hayden warmly.
Yet, in truth, not many among them truly knew Hayden, considering she was a top socialite from the capital, with different circles than the River North elite.
"Hayden, good to see you again," everyone chimed in cheerily, Teresa included, especially since Hayden had been so openly warm towards her.
"Indeed, great to see you again. Seems like fate keeps bringing us together," Hayden said as she picked up a glass of brandy from a passing housekeeper's tray. She clinked it gently against Teresa's glass, took a delicate sip, and asked with a smile, "Where's William? Didn't he come with you?"
Everyone watched as Hayden chose to clink glasses only with Teresa, seemingly indifferent to the rest, naturally assuming that Teresa and Hayden were quite close.
"Well... Hayden, it's a pleasure. I'm Unity, Teresa's best friend. I've been looking forward to meeting you," Unity said, slightly surprised by how familiar Hayden seemed with Teresa, but quickly reaching for her own glass to toast with Hayden.
Hayden glanced at Unity and then asked Teresa nonchalantly, "This a friend of yours?"
She knew about Unity and Gabriel's situation, yet if Unity really considered herself Teresa's friend, she'd afford her some dignity.
Teresa glanced at Unity, took a delicate sip of her wine, then shook her head with a smile, "We used to be friends, but it's been years with no contact. We're not friends anymore."
"Hmm," Hayden's gaze drifted over Unity once more, nodding significantly, "I thought there was something off about her. She's wearing the same dress as you, but while it makes you look like a fairy, on her it's just tragic. It must be your beauty and figure."
Teresa hadn't expected Hayden's warm and friendly demeanor toward her, which left her feeling pleasantly surprised. She chuckled softly, raised her glass, and clinked it with Hayden's, "Thanks!"
Hayden returned the smile, "That’s alright!" she replied, lifting her glass to drink.
Unity stood to the side, seething so intensely, her face turning almost green with rage. However, she had to suppress her anger amidst the cold, mocking stares surrounding her, and with great annoyance, she turned and walked away.
"The Garcias have arrived!"
Having heard the announcement, Unity immediately turned to look, and seeing Gabriel enter without a female companion, her eyes lit up. Quickly changing her expression to one of beaming delight, she moved toward Gabriel.
Raymond and Katherine had arrived, and naturally, Aaron wasn't enough to greet them on his own. His father and uncle had come forward to personally welcome them, sharing laughs with Raymond and Katherine, while Gabriel headed inside with Aaron.
Upon entering the hall, Gabriel's sharp, eagle-eyed gaze scanned the crowd, searching for Teresa.
Spotting Teresa laughing with Hayden, surrounded by a group of women, his decision was instant. He strode purposefully toward her, leaving his buddies behind.
"Gabriel!"
But before he got close to Teresa, a cloyingly sweet voice cut through the air, enough to raise goosebumps, and then Unity emerged from behind the crowd, stretching out her arm to ensnare Gabriel, cooing with a dripping sweetness, "Gabriel, there you are!"
Just as the arm reached out, almost touching Gabriel's sleeve, he swiftly raised his arm and shoved the offending limb aside. Pausing in his stride, he shot Unity a frigid, piercing glance, “Unity, I don’t think we're close."
It was true that the arrival of a member from the Garcia family always turned heads, especially when it was Gabriel. Although his divorce from Unity two years ago wasn't publicized, it was common knowledge in their circles that he was single again.
