Chapter 118
Chapter 118:
Josh’s thoughts drifted back to the heated fight between Gabriela and Phyllis, replaying each accusation Gabriela had thrown. He parted his lips to speak, but shut them again. He still couldn’t say who was truly in the right. It was better to keep the two of them apart than risk another blow-up.
That night, Gabriela let go of her worries and slept more peacefully than she had in days.
By the time she stirred the next morning, the sunlight was already streaming across the room. Her energy felt completely renewed, the sparkle back in her eyes. Realizing it was already noon, she rushed through her wash-up, smoothing her hair and freshening her makeup until she looked effortlessly polished.
A sudden knock broke the quiet. “Miss Haynes, the styling team you booked is here. Should I send them in?” a hotel attendant called through the door.
Gabriela blinked, momentarily thrown. Last night, she’d chosen the cheapest single room they had—just eighty dollars a night. Yet somehow, the staff had upgraded her to the penthouse suite, claiming the first ten new guests each day received complimentary premium service. She had thought it odd at the time, but now the situation felt downright suspicious.
When the stylists swept inside, arms laden with cases of cosmetics, the scene felt almost unreal. They were the very team responsible for Claire—the reigning goddess of the entertainment industry. At their head stood Annie Wright, her warm smile lighting up the room. “Well, Miss Haynes… looks like fate’s brought us together again p>
а𝖽dic𝘵𝗂𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝘵𝘰𝗿і𝖾s 𝗈n
After exchanging pleasantries, Gabriela let Annie and her team get to work, still a little dazed by the turn of events.
For more than two hours, the stylists moved around her in a flurry of quiet efficiency before finally helping her into the white gown and fastening the ruby pendant at her throat.
Under the soft lighting, she looked even more breathtaking than she had on the night of the banquet, and Annie couldn’t help showering her with praise. When it came time to slip on the matching bracelet, Gabriela shook her head.
Annie tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
Gabriela brushed it off with a flimsy excuse. “I’ll have a coat on anyway, so no one will even see the bracelet p>
She certainly couldn’t admit that she didn’t want to take off the plain, unassuming bracelet already on her wrist.
Annie let the matter drop. “Well, there’s a natural elegance to your wrists. This bracelet may be simple, but on you, it looks effortlessly stylish p>
The compliment warmed Gabriela more than she expected. She’d been faintly annoyed that Wesley’s year-end gift had been nothing more than an unremarkable bracelet, yet hearing genuine admiration for it stirred an unexpected flicker of joy.
Annie kept her own observation to herself—that the ruby pendant at Gabriela’s throat was worth millions and would outshine everything in the room. Whether or not Gabriela wore the bracelet was irrelevant.
Once the makeover was done, Gabriela saw the team off, headed downstairs for a quick meal, and pulled out her phone to message Brenden, asking when he’d be there. His reply still hadn’t come, yet an unexpected calm settled over her. If he had arranged for the styling team to be here, he surely would show up. And even if he wouldn’t, she had a contingency ready.
Her hair was styled into a chic, effortless updo that lent a fresh, youthful air to her poised elegance. The moment she stepped out of the car, a ripple of surprise passed through the onlookers—several failed to recognize her at first and leaned toward one another in hushed speculation.
“Who is she? She’s breathtakingly gorgeous. Did the Haynes family hire a celebrity guest p>
“No clue. We’ll find out soon enough p>
Without so much as a glance at the murmuring crowd, Gabriela glided toward the entrance of the Deluxe Hotel. Josh had taken over the entire venue, and a gleaming row of luxury cars lined the driveway.
By the doors stood a towering wedding portrait of Phyllis and Dustin. The couple were stationed at the entrance, smiling as they welcomed arriving guests.
But the moment Gabriela neared, Dustin’s eyes locked on her, and his confident grin faltered, the smugness slipping from his face.