Chapter 10
Chapter 10:
A strange unease gnawed at Brenden’s chest. Wesley had looked him in the eye and promised a promotion—sworn he had a bright future. But why did it feel like there were landmines buried beneath every step from here on out? He didn’t dare voice his doubts. All he could do was grit his teeth and follow orders.
Gabriela, meanwhile, still hadn’t managed to retrieve her belongings. She trudged home, heavy-hearted, only to walk through the door and be greeted by a cheerful Phyllis.
“Guess what, Gabriela? Dustin asked me to marry him, and the wedding’s set for next month!” Phyllis lounged across the living room sofa, her hand outstretched to show off a monstrous diamond ring. The stone glittered ostentatiously as she gushed, “He absolutely insisted on getting me this one—ten whole carats! He must have dropped a fortune. Isn’t it gigantic? Do you think it’s too much to wear around p>
Phyllis loved to put on a sweet, innocent front for the world, but behind closed doors, she never bothered to hide her nastiest side from Gabriela.
The diamond perched on her finger was absurdly oversized, sparkling obnoxiously under the light.
Gabriela offered a bland smile. “It’s honestly way too much. If I didn’t know you, I’d assume you bought it just to flaunt. But that’s exactly your style. The bigger and flashier, the better for you p>
A𝖽𝖽𝗶c𝘵𝘪𝗏𝗲 𝘴tor𝘪𝗲s 𝗼n.с𝗈m
Phyllis’s lips twisted, her temper barely in check. “Are you actually jealous? Maybe you should focus on finding a boyfriend of your own, so I don’t have to worry about you making a move on mine p>
Gabriela fired back without missing a beat. “Please. The only one in this room desperate enough to steal someone’s boyfriend is you. Trust me, your guy is the last person I’d go after p>
Phyllis’s expression hardened, her tone growing icy. “Still pretending to be tough? From what I hear, your company’s crawling with single guys. They may not measure up to Dustin, but they’re enough for you. Just find anyone who’s halfway decent and call it a day p>
Phyllis gave Gabriela a once-over, her gaze sharp and full of hidden malice. “With your situation, Gabriela, you should really just settle for someone ordinary p>
Back in school, Gabriela had always attracted her share of admirers. Out of sheer envy, Phyllis had cooked up ugly rumors—accusing Gabriela of chasing money and even whispering that she secretly worked nights at a bar as an escort. Whispers like that, repeated over and over, always found someone willing to believe them.
Little by little, the decent guys who had once liked Gabriela started keeping their distance. The only ones left were the bold, predatory types—harassing her, ridiculing her for pretending to be pure while selling herself on the side.
For years, Gabriela had lived in Phyllis’s toxic shadow.
But now, with a coveted job at a top company, Gabriela finally had enough confidence to fight back.
She deliberately pulled out her phone—having recorded the entire exchange—and shoved it under Phyllis’s nose.
“If you don’t want Dustin finding out what a venomous snake you really are, I suggest you back off and stop messing with me p>