Chapter 613
Chapter 613:
Caught under Matthew’s simmering glare, Stewart jolted back to reality.
As a Howard, Matthew’s family wielded the second-most daunting influence in Okburg after the Mosses, far surpassing Stewart’s family.
How could he have been so reckless, lacing his words with sarcasm toward Matthew?
If his father caught wind of this, he’d be livid.
Desperate to smooth things over, Stewart extended the lunch with a conciliatory smile. “Mr. Howard, why not share this meal here with me p>
Matthew eyed him critically.
This young man was trouble—nowhere near Wesley’s caliber. “I’ve got matters to handle at home, so I’ll take my leave. Enjoy your meal, Stewart,” Matthew said.
With that, he turned and left.
Stewart sighed, realizing he’d unwittingly crossed the Howard family. Resigned, he carried the lunch downstairs.
Erik, curious, glanced at him. “Mr. Williams, didn’t Gabriela like the lunch p>
Stewart shot him a sharp look and shoved the lunch into his hands. “You eat it p>
𝖱𝘦а𝘥 𝗳𝗿𝗈𝗆 𝘺𝗈𝘶𝗿 p𝗁𝘰𝗇𝗲 𝗈𝗇
Erik stared at the stack of lunch boxes, his stomach sinking.
“Mr. Williams, I just ate p>
“You ordered this yourself,” Stewart snapped. “Don’t waste it p>
Erik fell silent.
Why did Stewart always take out his frustrations with Gabriela on him?
With a grimace, Erik opened the boxes.
As Gabriela had feared, word of Matthew’s visit to her company spread like wildfire.
Cindy, ever the embellisher, regaled Lauren with a dramatic tale. “Gabriela’s a total vixen! She didn’t just steal Rebecca’s fiancé—she’s got Uncle Matthew wrapped around her finger too. He brought her breakfast, arranged for an air conditioner installation, and even clashed with Mr. Williams before Gabriela kicked him out p>
The more Cindy spoke, the wilder her exaggerations grew, turning Lauren’s expression thunderous.
Lauren could guess Matthew’s repeated visits stemmed from his lingering attachment to Alanna. She knew Cindy’s words were overblown.
But her deep-seated resentment toward Alanna spilled over to Gabriela.
If Cindy said it happened that way, then so be it.
It was the perfect chance to let Cindy’s loose lips paint Gabriela as a homewrecker.
Cindy, sensing an opening, offered eagerly, “Aunt Lauren, Gabriela’s using her charm to toy with men left and right. Should I teach her a lesson for you p>
Despite her fury, Lauren recalled Cindy’s fiasco with the homeless at Gabriela’s hotel and dismissed her as a fool.
She’d handle this herself.
“Come with me to Haynes Group,” Lauren commanded.
Cindy, thrilled to have swayed her, scurried after Lauren, carrying her bag and opening the car door with fawning devotion.
Lauren regarded Cindy with disdain—a distant, impoverished relative who’d wormed her way into Rebecca’s circle, incapable of anything worthwhile.
How could her parents have raised such an incompetent?
They soon arrived at Haynes Group.
Lauren, draped in an elegant dark green dress, radiated refined poise.
The young receptionist, flustered by the parade of high-profile visitors today, politely requested Lauren to register.
Cindy snapped instantly, “Do you even know who she is? This is Mrs. Howard! It’s an honor for your pathetic little company that she’s here, and you dare ask her to sign in p>
The receptionist, freshly rewarded with a raise and fiercely loyal to the company, bristled at the insult. Her tone cooled. “I’m sorry, but per company policy, all unannounced visitors must register,” the receptionist said firmly.
It was Gabriela’s rule, and she’d uphold it.
Lauren’s expression darkened as she reached for the guest log. Her eyes landed on the name of the last visitor: Matthew Howard.