Chapter 473

Chapter 473:

Gabriela gave a calm shake of her head. “It’s fine p>

Rebecca laced her fingers through Gabriela’s with an air of intimate warmth. “By the way, I heard from Wesley that when you were his secretary, you often cooked for him. I’d really love to learn some of your techniques, if you wouldn’t mind sharing p>

Gabriela let out a quiet laugh. “My cooking is just simple home-style food. You definitely have access to chefs far more skilled than I am p>

“No chef can compare to you,” Rebecca said sweetly.

𝘕𝖾𝘸 c𝗵𝗮𝗉t𝘦𝗿𝘴 ev𝘦𝘳y w𝗲𝘦𝘬 𝗈𝗇 𝘨𝗮𝗹ոo𝘃e𝗹𝘴.сo𝗆

She sat beside Wesley’s bed and looped her arms through his, resting lightly against his shoulder. “Wesley always tells me your cooking suits his taste better than any professional chef’s. Since I’m going to marry him, I want to take care of him properly. I hope you’ll teach me. You wouldn’t refuse, would you p>

Wesley subtly shifted away from her touch, nausea stirring under his ribs.

But Rebecca knew about his heart condition — a truth he was determined to keep from Gabriela at all costs.

So he said nothing.

His face remained controlled, closed, giving nothing away, even as Rebecca performed for the room and he fought the urge to look toward Gabriela.

Gabriela finally understood the real reason Rebecca had called her in such a panic.

This wasn’t concern. It was theater.

Rebecca had summoned her here only to flaunt her intimacy with Wesley.

Disgust rolled through Gabriela. She despised nothing more than someone parading their relationship in front of her.

Her smile sharpened. “Miss Howard, my schedule is packed lately. The company my mother left me may be small, but my time is extremely valuable p>

Contempt flickered in Rebecca’s eyes.

Greedy woman. Money is all you care about, isn’t it?

Rebecca softened her tone into something sweet and helpless. “Gabriela, why don’t you just name your price? Whatever you want, I’m willing to pay p>

Gabriela answered coolly, “As I mentioned, my cooking isn’t anything special. But my time is, which is why I must decline p>

“One hundred thousand dollars,” Rebecca cut in. “One hundred thousand per dish. Teach me one recipe and I’ll transfer it immediately p>

“I still have to refuse,” Gabriela said evenly. “What if it takes you several months to learn a single dish p>

Rebecca’s smile stayed polished, but irritation sparked in her eyes. “Then let’s handle it monthly. One hundred thousand dollars per month. Is that acceptable to you p>

Gabriela gave a thoughtful nod. “That is workable. However, I’m unavailable during the day or at night. I can only spare you from five to seven in the afternoon p>

For Rebecca, that money was nothing. But being maneuvered into those terms left a bitter sting in her pride.

Her lips tightened. “Gabriela, isn’t that a bit unreasonable p>

“Take it or leave it,” Gabriela replied without hesitation. “And I don’t work weekends. Since Mr. Moss is fine, I’ll be going p>

She turned toward the door and added, without looking back, “Miss Howard, consider my terms p>

Then she walked out.

Brenden was waiting in the hallway, and from the look on his face, it was obvious he’d heard everything.

Incensed by Rebecca’s attempt to humiliate Gabriela through financial manipulation, he announced loudly, “Gabriela, teach Fiona culinary skills instead, and I’ll compensate you one million dollars for your expertise p>

Fiona stared at him in complete bewilderment. “How does this concern me in the slightest?” She had never so much as touched a cooking pot in her entire life and harbored no intention of learning such domestic skills!

“Didn’t you express a desire to make amends with me?” Brenden challenged. “Learn from Gabriela, prepare my meals personally, and I’ll forgive you p>

Fiona recoiled at the suggestion. If those were his terms for reconciliation, she would gladly forgo his forgiveness entirely! However, she refused to squander this golden opportunity to antagonize Rebecca.

She adopted an air of disdainful superiority. “Miss Howard, Gabriela commands respect as a company CEO. You can’t seriously expect her to consider such a paltry offer—a hundred thousand a month? Don’t waste her time p>