Chapter 621
Chapter 621:
Gabriela rose before dawn the next morning, her mind already racing with plans.
Today wasn’t just another day.
It was Farley’s sixty-first birthday, and she intended to make it unforgettable.
She spent the early morning shopping for fresh ingredients with Ken, and as they moved from stall to stall, she called Tessa and Tyler, asking them to join the birthday dinner that evening.
Later, she stopped at Apex Treasures, Okburg’s most renowned jewelry store.
A month ago, she’d placed a special order: a custom wristwatch, designed just for Farley.
He had given his whole life to the Haynes family, never marrying or having children of his own.
To Gabriela, he’d always been more than just a caretaker; he was family.
Now that she was earning well, with Lakeshore Building under her name, she decided to honor him properly.
Frugal as he was, he would never buy such a thing for himself. She had spent three million on the gift without hesitation.
𝖣i𝘴𝘤o𝘷𝖾𝗿 𝗻𝖾w 𝗌𝘵𝗼𝗋іеѕ оn
The clerk handed her the velvet box with practiced care.
Gabriela lifted the lid, and her eyes lit up at the sight.
The watch was breathtaking. Its polished lines and refined craftsmanship radiated elegance.
There was no denying the allure of something so fine.
Farley would surely appreciate it.
Gabriela was studying the wristwatch intently when a sharp voice cut in behind her. “Hey! Let me see that watch you’re holding p>
She turned and found herself face-to-face with Cindy.
Cindy had been combing the store for a suitable birthday gift for Matthew. She wanted something that would impress him, but her budget left her stranded.
After all, too cheap would look careless, and too costly was out of reach.
Then her eyes landed on the watch in Gabriela’s hands.
The moment she recognized Gabriela, resentment filled her eyes.
Her life had been in a downward spiral ever since Gabriela marched a hundred homeless people to Jasper’s doorstep. At home, her parents scolded her; outside, Rebecca hounded her mercilessly.
She was trapped, humiliated, and now, seeing Gabriela drove her mad with rage.
“Gabriela,” Cindy sneered, “what are you even doing here p>
Gabriela barely glanced at her. She passed the watch back to the clerk with calm finality. “Wrap it up, please p>
“Don’t wrap it for her!” Cindy barked, malice sparking in her eyes as Gabriela calmly ignored her. “I want that watch! Wrap it for me instead p>
The clerk’s professionalism didn’t waver. “Miss Howard, this watch was custom-made for Miss Haynes, who entrusted it to us half a month ago p>
She motioned toward another case. “These are also excellent pieces at a similar price p>
Cindy’s mouth twisted into a sneer. “I don’t want those. I want that one p>
Nothing else would satisfy her, not when this piece was custom-made.
Gabriela, in no rush and amused by the scene, folded her arms and leaned back. She had time before the party, and she wanted to see what Cindy was up to this time.
The clerk tried again, more firmly this time. “I’m afraid that isn’t possible. Miss Haynes commissioned this piece and placed a deposit p>
Cindy’s tone sharpened. “Do you have any idea who I’m buying this for? Rebecca’s father. And you’re just a clerk! So follow instructions p>
Then she turned her scorn on Gabriela. “How much did she put down? Refund it and sell it to me p>
The clerk froze, torn.
Store policy forbade it, but Rebecca was one of the store’s top VIPs, granted priority rights on any purchase.
Crossing her could easily cost the clerk her job.
Gabriela finally spoke, her voice calm but edged with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Cindy, are you really sure you want to play this game p>
Her smile rattled Cindy. She remembered all too well how Gabriela’s little maneuvers had backed her into corners before. A ripple of unease slipped through her bravado.