Chapter 323
Chapter 323:
Gabriela nodded eagerly. “Of course p>
That evening, Bradly took the model home and couldn’t stop admiring it. The craftsmanship, the precision, the texture — every detail left him in awe. Trading a project for it? Worth it.
As he was still marveling at his acquisition, Fiona’s voice rang through the phone, tinged with curiosity. “Bradly, I heard you signed the contract with Gabriela p>
Bradly, still mesmerized by the model, responded absently, “Yeah p>
Fiona’s voice sharpened. “I thought you promised p>
Bradly cut in smoothly, tone dripping with practiced calm. “You know how business works. I came back to find a partner I could trust, and Gabriela’s proposal outshined every other offer. I need to make money, so naturally, I went with her.” He paused, then added with a light chuckle, “Come on, Fiona. You and Gabriela are both women. Why make things harder for her? Honestly, she seems like a good person to me. Why would you hate her p>
Fiona was fuming with frustration. Was Gabriela some kind of witch? Every time she plotted to put Gabriela in her place, it somehow backfired. And now, it sounded as though Gabriela had climbed higher in Bradly’s esteem than Fiona herself. Unbelievable. First Wesley, and now Bradly?
Gabriela had a talent for bewitching men, and Fiona wasn’t about to let her get away with it.
Bradly, refusing to engage any further, ended the call without another word. His attention drifted right back to the model. The more he studied its intricate design, the more it captivated him.
The next morning, he brought it along to the club, eager to show it off. A few members were already gathered when he arrived, Stewart among them.
𝘓at𝖾𝘴𝗍 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝗉𝘵𝖾𝗿ѕ 𝗼n
With a grin, Bradly strode over. “Mr. Williams, take a look at this beauty. It’s a model that fuses steampunk with traditional architecture. What do you think? How does it stack up against yours p>
Until now, Stewart’s deep-sea city model had been the unrivaled centerpiece of the club, and the bridge model Bradly had once splurged on never quite measured up. That had always irked Bradly. Now, with the perfect chance to show off, Bradly seized it.
Stewart’s gaze shifted to Bradly’s model, his pupils narrowing before widening in surprise. His previously detached expression faltered as he stepped forward, drawn in to examine the architectural piece up close.
“Mr. McCoy, where on earth did you find such a beautiful piece p>
Stewart was no casual admirer; he was a seasoned collector. Years ago, Gabriela’s deep-sea city model had impressed him so much that he agreed to her request to develop accessibility software for the visually impaired.
Bradly’s lips curved into a cryptic smile. “You won’t believe it. This was crafted by a young woman. Pretty little thing, with delicate hands, and yet she managed to create something this extraordinary p>
Admiration laced his tone, and Stewart’s curiosity sharpened. “What’s her name p>
“Gabriela Haynes,” Bradly replied with an almost boastful ease. “I heard she’s just taken over her family’s business. She’s trying to land a big project to secure her footing. Honestly, I wasn’t planning to get involved at first, but who knew she’d be this talented p>
As Bradly spoke, Stewart arched a brow, recognition dawning. “I had a feeling that it might be her p>
Over the years, Stewart had seen countless so-called master craftsmen. Their models were flawless — exquisite, even — but they lacked the spark, the breath of life. Only Gabriela’s creations carried that rare magic: grand yet full of vitality.
“You know her?” Bradly asked, intrigued.
“I do,” Stewart replied with a faint, knowing smile, his gaze drifting somewhere far away. “I’ve known her for a few years p>