Chapter 157
Chapter 157:
Gabriela remained blissfully unaware that Phyllis was once again scheming against her.
While staying at Wesley’s place, she felt nothing but radiant, unshakable happiness. With the kind of money she was making on the side, she had no trouble staying cheerful all year. Even better, Miriam and Loretta had finally stopped insisting she share a room with Wesley and had arranged a bright, spacious guest room just for her.
After a hot shower, she flopped onto the plush mattress, rolling across it like a carefree child and soaking in the luxury. The past two nights in Wesley’s bed had left her tense and uneasy, unable to truly savor the mansion’s soft linens. Now, with the space all to herself, her whole body loosened in quiet relief.
Eventually she tired of her rolling spree, grabbed her phone, and started scrolling—only to have it buzz in her hand with an incoming call from Aubrey.
“Aubrey? Is that really you? I assumed you’d be too preoccupied with your boyfriend. I’m surprised you’d even think to call me,” Gabriela said, ready to tease.
Aubrey’s voice cut through the banter with a sharp edge. “You’ve got enough trouble as it is, and you’re cracking jokes? Get on Instagram and Twitter right now—someone’s dragging your name through the mud p>
It turned out a high-profile Instagram influencer who went by Gem, with thirty million followers, had posted a scathing video. In it, Gem claimed Gabriela had been orphaned at eight, taken in by her uncle, and given every opportunity—financial support, a good home, even a graduate education. Now, Gem accused, Gabriela was repaying that kindness by trying to snatch her uncle’s house out from under him. The video went further: if Gabriela succeeded in taking the property, what would stop her from coming for the family business next?
The post was gaining momentum fast on Instagram—enough to stir trouble, though not yet enough to explode into an overnight sensation.
Claire’s repost was what turned a flicker into a full-blown blaze. She added her own remark beneath it, “A small favor earns gratitude, but an overly generous one often breeds resentment. In a world where good people are the ones who get hurt, this kind of behavior is chilling. Cut those ungrateful leeches out of your life p>
J𝘰іn 𝘁𝘩𝗲 𝗰о𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝗂ty 𝗮𝗍
Claire, the undisputed queen of entertainment, had many followers. Her devoted fans quickly echoed her stance.
Within hours, Gabriela’s name had been shoved into the number-four spot on the trending chart. The post drew wave after wave of condemnation. “People like her ruin it for everyone—the good ones give up, and the real needy get left with nothing.” “It’s parasites like Gabriela that have sucked every last shred of kindness from this world p>
The outrage swelled, and the mob’s determination to track her down and publicly shame her grew fiercer by the minute. Within thirty minutes, someone dug up an old video from her high school days showing her laughing with a pack of notorious delinquents at a bar. Soon after, her workplace was outed, and some people claimed they would confront her there once the holiday break ended. Some queried in disbelief, “Isn’t Apex Group the developer behind the country’s most popular game? How the hell could they hire someone as pathetic as her p>
Gabriela’s pulse quickened as she scrolled. Before she could decide whether to keep reading, her phone lit up—Aubrey again. “I just heard Phyllis is planning to go on Gem’s livestream tomorrow to squeeze sympathy out of the audience,” Aubrey warned, her voice brimming with indignation.
Though she didn’t know the full story of Gabriela’s family, Aubrey trusted her enough to believe she’d never scheme to steal her uncle’s home. In Aubrey’s mind, the real villain could only be that sly manipulator—Phyllis. “I’ve got a friend with over three million followers—should I ask her to step in and set the record straight?” Aubrey swiftly pressed on.
While her friend simmered with outrage, Gabriela stayed composed, a quiet instinct telling her this could be her best moment to tip the scales in her favor. She comforted Aubrey, “Don’t work yourself up over it. Let’s just get some rest and see where things stand in the morning p>
“Why wait until morning?” Aubrey’s temper teetered on the edge of explosion. “Do you have any idea just how much sway Claire holds? You’re already sitting at number four on the trending list—by tomorrow you’ll probably be number one! How can Claire be so blind? Those lies are transparent as glass! I’m disgusted I ever admired her p>