Mark felt a wave of awkwardness wash over him as he realized the predicament he was in. Jessica had just given him a scarf, which he had promptly unwrapped and draped around his neck. Now, Shirley had gifted him an identical one. Obviously, he couldn''t wear both, so he had no choice but to pack the second one away.


    The atmosphere in the room grew increasingly tense, yet Jessica seemed oblivious, her tone still innocently cheerful.


    "Shirley, I think we''re going to be great friends, seeing as we have simr tastes and all."


    Shirley chuckled lightly. "Oh, is that so? What else do you like?"


    Jessica''s face stiffened for a moment, looking quite pitiful. "Are you upset with me?"


    Mark took a deep breath and pulled Shirley closer. "Are you really upset? Jessie didn''t mean any harm. Who could''ve guessed you''d end up buying the same gift? I can take hers off and wear yours, if you like?"


    Shirley was on the verge of losing her temper, but then she thought of Mr. Davis and held back.


    "It''s fine. Making a fuss over it would just make me seem petty. Aren''t we in the middle of a song? Why stop now?" She sat down, though her intentions were unclear.


    Everyone else in the room was no fool. With Shirley, the official girlfriend, present, Mark singing a love song with another girl was bound to cause issues.


    Before Mark could speak, Jessica wisely put the microphone down.


    "Shirley, I was just warming up the crowd. Why don''t you take the next song?"Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    Her offer seemed thoughtful, easing the tension slightly.


    Shirley should''ve taken the opportunity to step down gracefully, given her nature. But instead, she nced at Jessica and said, "No need. You sing quite well. If you stop now because I''m here, it means you know it''s not appropriate to sing such songs with someone who''s taken."


    The room felt the tension rise. Shirley continued, maintaining herposure despite her anger.


    "Mark, today''s your birthday. Let''s keep things pleasant," she said, but her words were cutting. "The biggest mistake here is yours. Knowing you have a girlfriend yet singing love songs with someone else. Put yourself in my shoes-if you found me doing the same with a younger guy at my birthday, how would you feel? Mark, our values just don''t align."


    She stood up gracefully, exuding ss.


    "Plus, your little protégé came looking for me at my ce, iming you left some documents with her. Instead of calling you or leaving them at theb, shees to me. What does that tell you about her intentions?"


    The silence in the room was deafening, and Jessica began to cry.


    Some felt Shirley was being too harsh, embarrassing someone in front of a crowd.


    When Paul tried to defend Jessica, Shirley''s gaze shifted to his girlfriend.


    "Really? You''d be okay with this situation?"


    The targeted girl snapped back, "Of course not! Who''d tolerate such maniptive behavior?"


    With that remark, the mood shifted again.


    Shirley had hoped to keep herposure, considering all the factors at y. But from the


    vel


    moment she entered, Jessica had been provoking her.


    Refusing to back down, Shirley raised her ss to Mark.


    "We''ve only just gotten back together, and we haven''t had the chance to catch up properly. Now, it seems unnecessary. Our issues stem from your inability to maintain proper boundaries with other women. Please, don''t goining to my father again. Mark, the world doesn''t revolve around you. It''s inappropriate to keep involving him. You hardly called me today, didn''te to pick me up, but here you are, serenading your dear student. Let''s end this on a good note. I was about to say this sooner, but now it seems even more awkward for you."


    She finished her drink with a slight smile.


    "Here''s to your happiness."


    With that, she headed for the door.


    Jessica, still crying, pleaded, "Shirley, you''ve got it all wrong."


    But the other girls weren''t fooled. Going to someone''s ce to stir trouble was clear enough.


    "Always clinging to Mark, knowing he has a girlfriend. Unbearable."


    "Can''t men see through these tricks?"


    "Please, they know exactly what they''re doing. They just enjoy the attention."


    The whispers continued among the


    group, though the men seemed


    more forgiving toward Mark, ming Shirley for not reading the room and embarrassing him on such an asion.


    Mark himself thought she was making a mountain out of a molehill.


    But as she walked away, he panicked and chased after her.