Chapter 158
Chapter 158:
Though she was once a devoted fan of Claire, Aubrey chose to put her faith in Gabriela rather than a stranger’s smear.
Gabriela’s lips curved faintly as she assured her, “Relax. I’ve got a plan p>
She reasoned that Claire hadn’t bought the influencer’s story. This was likely payback for that banquet incident with the styling team—a grudge Claire clearly hadn’t let go of.
Gabriela’s unshaken demeanor gradually eased Aubrey’s temper. “For real?” she asked, still worried.
“I mean it. Trust me,” Gabriela replied, her tone calm and laced with quiet conviction.
After years of swallowing her pride, she felt as though fate was finally sliding a weapon into her hand. Tonight, she needed Phyllis to fan the flames until the drama boiled over. A flicker of anticipation warmed her chest as she imagined Phyllis pushing things further; the scandal would spread like wildfire.
If all went perfectly, the entire internet would know by morning.
With that thought, Gabriela set her phone aside and settled in, ready for a full night’s rest. Tomorrow, the counterattack would begin. Even under the weight of malicious stories, she drifted into a deep, untroubled sleep.
𝘑𝗈𝗂𝘯 𝘵𝗁𝗲 𝖼𝘰𝗺𝗺𝘶𝗻𝗶𝘵𝘺 a𝘵
Claire, meanwhile, faced her manager’s sharp rebuke for reposting on Twitter. “Claire, you’ve worked so hard to reach this point. One careless post from you can set the internet ablaze. Mind your words and actions before they blow up in your face p>
Claire leaned back, utterly unfazed. She had already dug into Gabriela’s past and knew her high school reputation was far from spotless. This was her chance to let Wesley see the real Gabriela. The influencer’s damning video was a gift—why wouldn’t she make the most of it?
The manager pressed on with gentle words of caution. “Stay out of these messy disputes. They can drag you down before you even realize it p>
Claire waved him off with an impatient flick of her hand. “Gabriela’s nothing but a pest. I could crush her whenever I feel like it. And if you keep nagging, I’ll skip the SK Elite Boutique endorsement altogether p>
The manager decided it was wiser to say nothing more.
The endorsement—once well beyond Claire’s grasp—had been won through backdoor ties to the CEO of the Vasquez Group.
The uproar online grew so deafening that even Marie caught wind of it. One after another, ladies from high society called, their voices dripping with sympathy and polite concern.
Keeping her tone as serene as still water, Marie offered the same line to each of them, “Gabriela’s a good person deep down, just a little too stubborn for her own good p>
They gushed over her supposed graciousness, but behind the mask, Marie’s lips curled in a sharp, disdainful smile. There was nothing gracious about her intentions.
Now that the matter had spiraled, she was content to sit back and watch. If Gabriela’s reputation crumbled under this storm, she would sleep easy knowing the house and company would remain securely in her hands.
That night many tossed and turned in restless sleep. But Gabriela—the very target of those spiteful whispers—slumbered without a care and woke feeling rested and clear-headed.
Soon after, Aubrey called Gabriela again. Her voice burst through the phone, bright with surprise. “Gabriela, every trending topic about you is gone!” She didn’t even pause before adding, “No wonder you weren’t panicking last night. Someone powerful must have stepped in! I’m telling you, it has to be our handsome, mighty boss backing you up p>
Gabriela hadn’t said a word before Aubrey barreled ahead with her string of guesses.
As Aubrey’s rapid-fire chatter finally tapered off, a thought began to settle in Gabriela’s mind. Who else could wipe every trace of those trending topics in a single night? It could only be Wesley’s doing.
Once the call ended, she descended the stairs in search of him, only to spot Billy making his way toward the study. She lingered for a moment, then followed at a measured pace.