Chapter 112
Chapter 112:
Gabriela accepted it with a subtle, knowing smile. “Thanks p>
Vivian’s lips curled in a sneer. “What’s there to be so smug about? Spend all you want—your boyfriend might not even be yours alone p>
“Sounds like you’re jealous.” Gabriela’s tone was almost playful, but her words cut clean. “My man’s tall, attractive, and full of ambition. He doesn’t mooch off women like certain losers. Spoiling him is my choice, and I enjoy it p>
Vivian barely flinched. But Phyllis? The color drained from her face. Dustin might have looked perfect on paper, but his modest family background was his one glaring flaw. Gabriela had never let that slide, often tossing barbs about him being a freeloader—a humiliation Phyllis couldn’t stand.
She cursed Gabriela under her breath. In high school, Gabriela had been the perfect punching bag for every petty insult. When had that woman learned to bite back so sharply?
Forcing down her ire, Phyllis curved her lips into a practiced smile. “I can’t wait to meet your boyfriend at my wedding, Gabriela p>
At that, Vivian’s mood shifted. Her irritation melted into a smug anticipation. They’d already set the stage for some chaos—and she was eager to watch Gabriela squirm when the curtain rose.
Gabriela had barely stepped out with the suit when Vivian’s voice rang out behind her, pitched just loud enough for every passerby to hear. “Phyllis, your family took her in and gave her everything without expecting a thing back. And how does she repay you? By obsessing over your boyfriend p>
“Come on, don’t say such things,” Phyllis muttered in a voice dripping with false concern. “She has a boyfriend of her own p>
Vivian let out a derisive laugh. “Oh, you mean that so-called secret boyfriend? Please. She probably invented him out of spite—and now she’s dropping a hundred grand on a suit p>
𝖳𝗵𝗼𝘶𝘴𝗮n𝖽s o𝖿 𝗿𝖾𝖺𝖽е𝗋𝘀 𝗈𝗇
Gabriela inhaled slowly, willing herself not to waste another ounce of breath on those two worthless scumbags.
Still, one thing had to be clear before the wedding—Brenden’s parade of exes was absolutely forbidden from appearing.
She was paying a hundred thousand for a pretend boyfriend. Keeping a few women from causing a scene at the wedding was hardly an unreasonable demand.
Just as the thought formed, Gabriela’s phone buzzed with a message from “NotASaunders.” “Take the suit to company HQ tomorrow and hand it to Mr. Moss p>
Brenden’s antics rarely surprised her anymore, but this one made her pause. Had he actually made peace with Wesley? And now he was bold enough to rope Wesley into running his errands?
Her thumbs moved quickly over the screen. “Your exes won’t be showing up at the wedding, right p>
Several minutes ticked by before his answer popped up. “Rest assured p>
The next morning, Gabriela tucked the suit into an elegant, ribbon-tied box and carried it to the office. When she finally placed it in Wesley’s hands, a flicker of reluctance pricked at her. This wasn’t just fabric and thread—it was over a hundred thousand dollars in silk and tailoring. She’d never in her life bought something so extravagantly priced.
Noticing the flicker of reluctance in her gaze, Wesley’s lips curved in quiet amusement. He reached for an elegant box beside him and extended it toward her. “This is for you p>
The sleek packaging betrayed nothing of what it held.
“For me?” Gabriela froze for a beat, blinking at him in surprise. Could this unexpected present be Wesley making amends for that pitiful year-end gift?
A low chuckle rumbled from his chest. “Consider it a return gift p>
Her anticipation collapsed in an instant. A return gift from Brenden was hardly appealing to her in any way.
She accepted it with a faint smile and set it down on her desk without much thought.
“Aren’t you going to open it?” Wesley urged.
“I’ll check it out at home later,” she replied, her voice flat.
Without another word, she moved off toward the kitchenette to make coffee.
During the process, an idea lit in her mind. Her step picked up, and she returned with the steaming cup in hand, placing it in front of Wesley. “Mr. Moss, the gifts you handed out this year were incredible. Everyone’s been showing them off online, praising how generous you are p>
As she spoke, Gabriela eased her sleeve back, exposing the plain bracelet at her wrist, letting it catch the light as she casually gave it a small wave. Wesley had more money than he knew what to do with. With the right nudge, maybe he’d suddenly feel like giving her another gift.
Wesley caught the cue instantly, his gaze lingering on the simple piece. A faint smirk played at his lips as he decided to toy with her. “That bracelet really does look good on you p>