Chapter 142
Chapter 142:
“With that injured foot of yours, how are you even planning to get there? Stay another night, and leave tomorrow once you’ve had more rest.” Loretta’s eyes grew misty with theatrical sorrow. “If you walk out now, it’s as good as saying you are upset with me p>
With Loretta’s voice brimming with earnestness, Gabriela felt cornered into agreeing. “Fine, I’ll give it one more night p>
Miriam exhaled in quiet relief and headed to the kitchen to arrange dinner.
Knowing she’d be staying, Gabriela pulled out her phone to call her uncle. She spoke softly into the phone. “Yes, I’m not coming back tonight. My ankle’s still sore, so I’ll stay over at a friend’s place… No, it’s nothing serious—no need for the hospital p>
From the side, Loretta observed her. Wesley had said Gabriela had been locked out late at night, yet here she was, still speaking to her uncle with unshakable respect. Gabriela truly seemed a rare find. Loretta’s affection for her deepened—after all, here was a young woman who treated everyone with genuine courtesy.
Gabriela, however, felt a prickle of unease beneath Loretta’s suddenly adoring gaze, sensing an odd shift in her demeanor.
Dinner was soon served, drawing everyone to the long, gleaming table. Loretta’s gaze sharpened when she noticed how closely Gabriela attended to Wesley’s tastes. When a platter of spicy shredded vegetables landed near him, Gabriela leaned in and murmured, “Mr. Moss, maybe go easy on this one. Or I can take out the chilies for you—how about that p>
As his secretary, she knew his preferences by heart. Wesley couldn’t handle too much heat because of his heart, yet he still craved a faint burn of spice. He gave a quiet “Okay,” and though his face remained composed, the faint curl at the edge of his lips betrayed the lift in his mood.
Loretta found the change in him astonishing. Her grandson had always been stubborn, brushing off nearly everyone’s advice—yet Gabriela could move him without effort. She cast a sidelong glance at Miriam, who met her gaze with a serene smile that wordlessly said, “Told you she was remarkable p>
Once dinner was cleared away, Loretta and Miriam drew Gabriela into a round of cards. Laughter and lighthearted banter carried them past ten o’clock, until at last they let her slip away to her room for the night.
Gabriela climbed the stairs, her gaze sweeping over the sprawling master bedroom with quiet reluctance. “Miriam, would it be alright if I stayed in a guest room tonight p>
𝘉е 𝘱a𝘳𝗍 o𝗳 o𝘂𝗋 𝖼𝗼𝗆𝘮𝘶𝗇𝘪𝗍𝗒 оո.с𝗼𝘮
With practiced ease, Miriam offered a smooth excuse. “We ended up playing so late there wasn’t time to ready a guest room. Just spend another night here p>
A faint discomfort prickled at Gabriela. “And… what about Mr. Moss p>
Loretta cut in before Miriam could speak. “He can keep sleeping in the study p>
Gabriela found it a bit improper, yet Miriam gave her a gentle push through the doorway. “That’s settled—Loretta and I are far too old to be staying up late. Good night p>
Once she was nudged into Wesley’s bedroom, Miriam and Loretta made their way toward the study to track down Wesley.
He had just stepped out of the shower, a faint curl of steam clinging to him as he worked a blow-dryer through his damp hair. The moment he spotted Loretta and Miriam entering together, a ripple of unease crossed his face.
“Grandma, Miriam—what brings you both here p>