Chapter 198
Chapter 198:
Gabriela’s words cut like glass. “I refuse to recognize a shameless thief as family. You stole what was mine and squandered it on your gambling addiction p>
Marie’s face darkened at the jab. Fury flared, and she spat, “You little bastard. Don’t think you are untouchable. Since you refuse to settle this peacefully, then be prepared for what’s coming p>
With a sharp snap, Gabriela hung up. She had no intention of enduring Marie’s senseless scolding.
Marie, blinded by rage, seemed to lose all reason. Right in front of Josh, she hurled the word “bastard” at Gabriela.
Josh froze in shock before snapping, “Marie, how could you say that to Gabriela p>
Marie sneered with disdain. “Calling her a bastard was generous. If not for her, we wouldn’t be in this mess p>
Gabriela’s revelation of their scandals had left scars. Because of her, not only was Phyllis dragged through the mud online, but even the company’s business had taken a hit.
Several clients canceled projects right before the holiday, leaving Marie with painful losses.
All of it, she believed, was the fault of that wretched girl, Gabriela.
By now, Marie had completely lost her composure, unbothered to hide her disdain for Gabriela in front of her husband.
рo𝘱𝘶𝗹а𝘳 𝘴t𝘰𝘳i𝗲𝗌 o𝗇 ѕ.с𝗈𝗆
Josh was struck by a surge of anger. He stammered “you” repeatedly, unable to form a complete sentence.
When he remembered the trusting gaze of his sister before her death, guilt twisted through him—and he raised his hand and struck Marie across the face. “Don’t you dare insult Gabriela like that. She is my niece! Everything we enjoy now was left behind by my sister p>
The slap landed with such force that blood appeared at the corner of Marie’s mouth.
Phyllis stood frozen in shock.
Her father, who had always bent to her mother’s will and obeyed without protest, had just hit her mother—for Gabriela’s sake!
“Dad, you’ve gone too far!” Furious, Phyllis glared at Josh before rushing to help Marie back to her room.
Mother and daughter locked themselves away and did not emerge again for the rest of the day, leaving Josh alone in the vast hall, hollow and lost.
He felt the weight of guilt pressing down on him—toward his sister, toward Gabriela. Yet he also knew violence against his wife was inexcusable. A man should never raise his hand against his wife.
The villa fell into a heavy silence, the cold of resentment hanging in the air.
But over at Moss Manor, warmth and joy thrived. Gabriela joined Loretta and Miriam in the kitchen, rolling out pastry dough for savory hand pies and simmering spiced cider.
She noticed Loretta preparing an unusual version—chicken pot pies filled with celery.
Meanwhile, Miriam entered with a plump pumpkin in her arms, announcing she was making a hearty pumpkin stew.
When Gabriela glanced at the ingredients, she spotted artichokes, chanterelle mushrooms, and smoked ham.
She asked curiously, “Mrs. Larson, who are the celery pies for p>
She knew well that Wesley never touched celery.
“We have a guest arriving later. She loves these,” Loretta said, her tone softening, eyes warm with tenderness. “After dinner, I’ll pack all the celery pies for her to take home and enjoy p>
Gabriela’s interest was piqued.
She had been living at the estate for some time but had never met anyone from the Moss family apart from Brenden.
Who could this guest possibly be?
Around five in the evening, a quiet, young woman arrived.
She looked to be no more than twenty, delicate and sweet in appearance. She was blind and used a white cane to guide her way.