Chapter 129
Chapter 129:
Sensing the sudden heaviness in the car, Gabriela bit back whatever she’d been about to say.
The vehicle slipped free of the city’s noisy streets, gliding down a broad stretch of asphalt. Towering plane trees arched overhead, their rain-slick leaves catching the faint glimmer of streetlights. With the drizzle gone, the night air felt still, almost watchful. Little by little, the noise faded, leaving the streetlights to bathe everything in a soft, golden haze.
Gabriela’s brows drew together—was her boss seriously giving her a late-night scenic drive? But with the simmering force radiating from him in the seat beside her, she decided it was wiser to keep that question to herself. She felt like a mere afterthought in his world, powerless to change whatever plans he had for her. Wherever he meant to take her, the safest choice was to follow without a word.
As the road curved, the skyline opened up, revealing a towering building ahead, its facade crowned with gleaming letters that read “Moss Manor.” Only then did it dawn on Gabriela—this was Wesley’s private estate.
Two massive iron gates guarded the entrance, their dark metal both forbidding and sleek with a modern design. At the first glimpse of Wesley’s car, the gates stirred to life, parting in a slow, deliberate sweep. Without breaking stride, Wesley steered through the grand opening, the drive winding for several minutes before the car finally rolled to a stop before the mansion’s main entrance.
Gabriela guessed the sprawling estate had to stretch across several thousand acres. Her awe hadn’t even peaked when her gaze caught on two immaculate lines of servants outside, each dressed in neat blue-and-white uniforms, standing at attention to welcome Wesley home.
Startled, she leaned toward him and murmured, “Mr. Moss, your place could pass for a five-star hotel p>
From the poised staff to the endless manicured grounds, the gleaming facilities, and the fountains spilling into elegant gardens… even the most extravagant hotel might struggle to match this level of opulence.
J𝘰𝗶𝘯 𝘵𝗁o𝘶sa𝗻𝗱ѕ 𝗼𝗳 𝖿𝗮𝘯ѕ on 𝘨а𝘭ո𝗼𝗏el𝘀.со𝗺
Thinking her compliment might coax some warmth from him, she glanced over hopefully. A deeper shadow crossed his features. “So, you think my house isn’t homely enough p>
Gabriela found herself tongue-tied, her mind blank in the face of his unreadable mood. Wesley, as always, seemed to interpret reality through some private lens no one else shared.
When her silence stretched, he stepped out of the car with a glacial air. A uniformed servant approached at once, bowing slightly as he reached for the keys. This servant, used to nothing more dramatic than parking Wesley’s car, froze when Wesley strode around to the passenger side and, without a word, lifted a striking young woman into his arms. For a heartbeat, the servant simply stared.
Cradled against Wesley’s chest, Gabriela stiffened, her voice edged with embarrassment. “Mr. Moss, please—put me down. I can walk just fine p>
His reply came low and clipped. “If you’d prefer not to limp by the end of the night, stay still p>
Gabriela, unwilling to risk upsetting Wesley, instantly went slack against him, nestling into his arms without the slightest resistance.
Even after Wesley’s tall frame vanished through the grand entrance, the servant remained rooted to the spot, clutching the car keys, his mind spinning in disbelief. In all his years of service here, he had never once seen Wesley bring a woman home—let alone carry one inside. Wesley had never been linked to any romance. Whispers among the staff even claimed he might not be interested in women at all.