Chapter 306
Chapter 306:
Seeing her prolonged hesitation, Wesley glanced briefly at her before turning away with glacial indifference.
“I don’t care for him,” Gabriela said quickly, though her heart fractured. “I’ve always considered him my employer, and I hold him in deep respect p>
“Not even slightly?” Loretta persisted. “Wesley is attractive and wealthy. How could you feel nothing toward him p>
Miriam added, “Last time you injured your ankle, Mr. Moss carried you home. I could see immediately that you cared for him p>
Wesley felt genuinely surprised. That day, after Gabriela’s rejection, he had been too devastated to observe her expression. What kind of look had she given him then?
“And…” Miriam remembered how, during New Year’s celebrations, while the two decorated the house together, Gabriela had watched Wesley with unmistakable affection.
р𝘰𝘱𝘂𝗅a𝗋 s𝗍𝗈𝗋𝘪eѕ 𝗈n
Gabriela felt overwhelmed by Loretta’s and Miriam’s persistence. She hastily fabricated a lie. “Actually, I already have someone I care for.” She lowered her head, unable to face Wesley’s reaction.
Wesley’s features hardened into an expression of bitter cold. So that was it. Her heart belonged to someone else. No wonder she had stopped him from crossing the line the other day when they were intimate in his bed.
Loretta felt shaken to her core. “Who is he? Have I met him? Is he superior to Wesley p>
A single lie demands many more to shield it.
“No,” Gabriela fibbed. “He’s simply an ordinary man. How could he ever measure up to Mr. Moss? But affection isn’t determined by someone’s exceptional qualities p>
Miriam pressed further. “What’s his name p>
Gabriela reached her breaking point. This man didn’t exist. How could she maintain such an elaborate fabrication?
“Gabriela doesn’t wish to discuss it. Stop pressuring her,” Wesley suddenly interjected, his tone arctic. “It’s late. You should all retire for the evening p>
He clung to his composure, refusing to let his pride crumble before them. Since Gabriela had made her feelings clear, pursuing her further would only diminish his dignity.
Loretta felt hollowness expanding in her chest. “But p>
Even Fiona hadn’t captured Wesley’s attention. The mere fact that he chose to remain at Gabriela’s house demonstrated he harbored genuine feelings for her. Yet Gabriela didn’t reciprocate Wesley’s affection. What a disappointment.
Wesley sensed Loretta’s thoughts and declared coldly, “I don’t care for Gabriela either p>
Gabriela felt startled hearing his declaration and experienced a sharp stab of sorrow. But upon reflection, a man of Wesley’s caliber could claim any woman he desired. Why would he persist in caring for her after enduring repeated rejections? Perhaps it was a good thing for both of them. At least she wouldn’t feel such crushing awkwardness when facing him in the future.
When Wesley observed that Gabriela appeared untroubled and even seemed relieved, his frustration intensified. Did she really find his affection so unbearable?
“I prefer intelligent, sophisticated women,” he declared. Fury made him careless with his words. “Gabriela is too immature in her speech and behavior. I only consider her a friend p>
Even after returning to her room, Gabriela couldn’t banish those words from her thoughts. Though he lacked romantic feelings for her, she reassured herself that gaining a powerful ally like Wesley was a worthwhile outcome.
Caressing her still-flat abdomen, Gabriela whispered tenderly, “Sweetheart, no matter how difficult circumstances become, I will never abandon you p>