Chapter 435
Chapter 435:
Exhausted from the nonstop chaos of the past few days, Gabriela felt a sudden urge to lean on Wesley. She typed a long message, spilling everything — the pressure, the anger, the fear — but in the end, she couldn’t bring herself to send it.
Maybe, to Wesley, that night between them had meant nothing. Maybe it had been nothing more than a momentary distraction, like idly teasing a stray animal on a boring afternoon.
Maybe that was why he still messaged her while pretending to be someone else, using Brenden’s name.
Gabriela deleted the draft, put her phone away, and headed to the restroom.
After sending his message, Wesley stared at his phone. The “typing” bubble appeared and stayed on his screen for a long time — and then vanished. No reply.
Why wasn’t she responding?
He almost texted again, almost asked her if she needed anything. But as he looked up at the Lakeshore Building, he leaned back in his seat and forced himself not to send another word.
𝘋oո’𝘁 𝗺𝗂𝘴𝘀 𝘯𝖾w 𝗋е𝗅𝖾𝗮s𝖾𝘴 𝘰ո
From her stall in the restroom, Gabriela overheard voices outside just as she was finishing up.
“Isn’t Miss Haynes getting a little too full of herself, sticking her nose into someone else’s marriage p>
“Honestly, I used to admire her. She’s young, gorgeous, capable — not like those arrogant socialites. But this time, she’s gone too far getting involved in Tessa’s divorce p>
“With GD about to pull out and no other company willing to work with us, we should probably start job hunting p>
“Let’s give it a few more days p>
Their voices weren’t even especially cruel. Just practical. Realistic. That somehow stung more.
Gabriela washed her hands in silence. A cold thought crossed her mind: would she really have to ask that person for help?
When work ended, she grabbed her bag and headed out immediately. Farley had told her that Truett had been fussy all day and might be coming down with something.
Gabriela hurried toward the building’s exit.
The moment she stepped out, a crowd closed in around her.
“There she is!” someone shouted. “The homewrecker who ruins other people’s marriages p>
Rotten eggs and wilted vegetables flew toward her.
She froze for a moment as an egg burst against her clothes, soaking into the fabric and ruining the expensive outfit she had bought to maintain her professional image.
Rage shot through her. That outfit wasn’t just clothing — it was an investment in credibility. And now it was ruined.
Near the entrance, a red car idled by the curb. Inside, Rebecca lounged comfortably, watching with satisfaction as Gabriela was pelted.
Her driver held up his phone, recording every second.
“Make sure the video is clear,” Rebecca said, eyes gleaming. She was thrilled at the thought of publicly humiliating Gabriela.
Once this footage hit the internet — once Wesley saw it — would he still look at Gabriela the same way?
Not far away, Wesley’s car sat parked along the curb as well.
When he saw Gabriela standing there, not even dodging, just silently taking it, his jaw tightened. His hand went to the door, ready to get out.
But after a beat, he stopped himself. His expression cooled, and instead he turned to his bodyguard.
“Go break up that crowd p>
“Yes, sir p>
Just then, someone else reached her first.
Stewart.
He had rushed over the moment he heard that GD had cut ties with the Haynes Group.
He tore off his jacket and threw it over Gabriela’s head and shoulders, trying to shield her from the incoming hits as he pulled her toward him.