Chapter 174
Chapter 174:
Gabriela summoned her courage and pressed forward. “Actually, yes. When will you return what belongs to me p>
Confusion clouded Brenden’s expression. “I’m not following you p>
“I mean the item I left with you p>
Gabriela couldn’t bring herself to mention their one-night stand. Besides, she wasn’t even sure whether Brenden was the man who had slept with her. Explicit details were absolutely out of the question.
“Something you left with me?” Brenden’s bewilderment deepened. “I have no recollection of you leaving anything in my possession p>
Gabriela’s breath caught as her mind began to spin. Had “NotASaunders” truly not been Brenden? To confirm this, she posed another question. “Mr. Saunders, please stop this charade. You explicitly promised that if I prepared something delicious for you, you would return what’s mine. So much time has passed—please don’t delay any further p>
Sympathy pierced Brenden’s heart as he observed Gabriela’s pallor and the careful hesitation in her voice. Harshness toward beautiful women simply wasn’t in his nature, especially when Gabriela ranked as the most stunning woman he had ever encountered. He searched his memory desperately, trying to recall what precious item of hers might have fallen into his possession.
Suddenly, her obvious crush on him flashed through his mind, and he wondered with growing incredulity if the thing she had left with him was… her heart. Gabriela even thought that by cooking for him, he might develop feelings for her.
𝘋𝗂𝘀с𝗈𝗏e𝗿 ne𝗐 𝘴𝘵o𝘳𝘪е𝗌 𝗼ո 𝗀𝘢𝘭n𝗈𝗏е𝗅ѕ.cо𝗆
Was this the real reason she had chosen to sacrifice her holiday and work as a chef here?
A complex mix of flattery and unease stirred within Brenden’s chest. While his natural charm drew admirers, the notion that Gabriela harbored such profound feelings—enough to surrender her heart entirely—felt staggering. What had sparked such overwhelming devotion within her?
A strange tension crossed Brenden’s face—just enough to make Gabriela second-guess herself. She ventured forward with delicate uncertainty, “Mr. Saunders p>
Wesley emerged at that precise moment, a glass of water in hand, and the scene before him brought his steps to an abrupt halt. Brenden gazed down at Gabriela with unmistakable smugness painted across his features, while she waited for his words with an almost childlike vulnerability.
A cold snort escaped Wesley’s lips as he swept his gaze over Gabriela with withering brevity, then strode past without acknowledging their existence.
Gabriela froze. That fleeting look Wesley had cast her way—subtle and seemingly emotionless—carried the weight of crushing judgment. Her mind raced with questions about how much of their conversation he had witnessed and whether his sharp intellect had already pieced together the fragments. Anxiety bloomed like poison in her veins, making her desperate to flee to the sanctuary of her room.
But Brenden’s voice suddenly cut through her spiraling thoughts. “Gabriela, forgive me. I cannot provide what you’re seeking p>
The realization of her deep-seated affection sent a brief surge of euphoria through Brenden, but reality quickly doused that flame. Every woman who had graced his life—from minor celebrities to runway models—had been drawn like moths to the golden glow of his wealth; their affections were as artificial as stage makeup. He understood the transaction perfectly and had never minded, since his own heart remained equally shallow. Gabriela represented something entirely different—a rare gem of authenticity in his world of calculated relationships.
As someone who fled from commitment like it was a contagious disease, he couldn’t offer her the fairy-tale ending she deserved, nor could he bear to string her along with false promises.
Brenden delivered his verdict with unwavering finality as the resolution crystallized in his mind. “Moving forward, we should sever all contact between us. If our paths cross again, we must behave as complete strangers p>
He pivoted on his heel and left without a backward glance, his footsteps echoing with decisive determination. Gabriela stood frozen, bewildered.
What did Brenden mean by that?