Chapter 171
Chapter 171:
Wesley’s tone carried that familiar imperial chill. “I specifically ordered the finance department to work overtime calculating your compensation. Now that you’ve received it, you can’t return it p>
Gabriela’s breath caught in her throat. A decade’s salary now sat in her account—a windfall that should have thrilled her. But Wesley’s icy tone sent dread pooling in her stomach.
“I’m generous enough to waive interest on this ten-year advance. In exchange, during your annual leave periods you’ll provide cooking services at my residence. Unpaid, naturally.” Gabriela’s thoughts came to a halt.
Her mind raced through the calculations. Apex Group provided at least half a month of paid vacation annually. Using Loretta’s previous offer as a baseline, she’d forfeit forty-five thousand dollars each year. The realization crushed her spirit.
Wesley had lived up to his ruthless reputation. No matter how gentle or approachable he appeared, beneath that disarming exterior lurked the same calculating businessman—only wearing a more attractive mask. She should never have mentioned the advance payment.
Wesley observed Gabriela’s thunderstruck expression with barely contained amusement. Fighting back laughter, he delivered the final blow. “Additionally, since you’ve accepted this ten-year advance, you’re forbidden from leaving my supervision during business hours. Any leave requests require my personal authorization p>
Gabriela stood frozen. For the next decade, not only would she receive no additional compensation, but she’d essentially become Wesley’s indentured servant. Life truly wielded a double-edged sword—joy and misery dancing together as eternal partners.
She’d just orchestrated Phyllis’s downfall, only to deliver herself completely into Wesley’s clutches. With this crushing realization weighing on her shoulders, Gabriela lost all desire to admire the surrounding flowers. Even if those blooms were worth fifteen million dollars, they held no meaning for someone trapped in golden chains.
Listless and defeated, she dragged herself back into the living room, steeling her resolve to assist in the kitchen despite everything weighing on her spirit.
𝘙o𝗆𝗮nсе ո𝗈vel𝗌 𝘰𝗻
Loretta’s heart twisted at the sight of Gabriela’s dejected posture. She yearned to confront every soul who had ever tormented this girl, forcing them to crawl back with groveling apologies.
Dinner hour arrived with merciless punctuality. Gabriela had crafted a dish and presented it before Wesley like an offering.
They all settled into their seats as the evening meal commenced.
“Mr. Moss, I prepared this barbecue pork belly specifically for you,” Gabriela announced, her voice bright with forced enthusiasm. “No artificial seasonings. It’s wholesome and captures the pork’s pure, rich essence. Please, taste it p>
Wesley found her earnest pride thoroughly entertaining. With elegant precision, he selected a generous piece and deposited it onto her plate. “Thank you for your kitchen efforts. You should sample it first,” he declared.
Gabriela stared at the glistening ivory chunk of fat-marbled meat occupying her plate, and her stomach revolted.
Loretta, thrilled to see Wesley showing concern for Gabriela, chimed in enthusiastically, “Gabriela, please eat up. You’re far too slender p>
Gabriela longed to protest, but under Loretta’s nurturing gaze she could only force down the fatty pork. The moment she swallowed the last morsel, she craved nothing more than to flee to the opposite end of the continent from Wesley.
As Gabriela discreetly shifted her chair away, her attention snagged on Brenden, who sat across from her, methodically devouring his fish with singular focus. The longer she observed him, the more confusion prickled at her consciousness.
During their WhatsApp exchanges about meal preferences, Brenden had explicitly rejected numerous dishes. His dietary restrictions had mirrored Wesley’s with uncanny precision. Yet the Brenden before her possessed an adventurous palate that defied all logic. Not only did he consume bland fish daily, but he devoured onions, celery, and even cilantro with apparent relish.