Chapter 177

Chapter 177:

Gabriela rolled her eyes when she read the message. Brenden thought her singing was awful. Well, fine—she didn’t feel like singing anymore anyway.

She quickly fired off a reply. “I think my singing’s terrible too. It’s late, and I need to sleep. Goodnight, Mr. Saunders p>

Wesley, whose irritation had briefly subsided, experienced a fresh surge of annoyance. He typed back with barely contained frustration, “No sleeping. Keep singing p>

Something strange stirred in Gabriela that night—an unusual patience that surprised even her. “What would you like to hear this time?” she asked.

Wesley rarely indulged in pop music, but after scrolling through options he typed, “We Will Rock You p>

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Gabriela stared at her screen in disbelief. The urge to reach through the digital barrier and throttle this man nearly overwhelmed her. She fired back without hesitation, “I don’t know how to sing that song p>

“Then learn it. If you can’t master it in one attempt, try ten times. You’ll eventually succeed p>

Gabriela’s eyes rolled skyward as she replied, “This song is incredibly challenging. I wouldn’t master it no matter how long I practiced p>

“Oh? Should I broadcast our one-night stand to the world p>

Gabriela inhaled deeply, forcing down the rage that threatened to consume her. Another message from “NotASaunders” appeared on her screen: “Take your time learning. I’m in no hurry p>

He wasn’t in a hurry, but sleepiness overtook Gabriela. During her university years she had absorbed countless pop songs, so learning this one wouldn’t prove impossible. After summoning her courage and steeling her nerves, Gabriela delivered a few ragged lines into her device.

Wesley struggled to define the emotions coursing through him.

Gabriela’s voice wasn’t a perfect classical instrument, but its tender timbre usually suited gentle songs. Tonight, however, it clashed terribly with the chosen tune.

He typed mercilessly, “You call that singing? You’re shrieking. It’s sonic assault—my ears are bleeding p>

Gabriela’s throat burned from the effort, and she could no longer endure the criticism. She launched herself from the bed, grabbed a coat, flung open her door, and marched toward Brenden’s room with fierce determination. Her steps were swift, each movement purposeful.

But when Brenden opened the door, Gabriela’s fury evaporated like morning mist. What was she doing here? Would she demand an explanation or force a confrontation? If she pushed the issue, Wesley—along with Loretta and Miriam—might learn what had happened between her and Brenden. Losing her job would pale beside seeing the shock in Loretta’s and Miriam’s eyes. She adored them and treasured their affection like precious gems; she wanted to spend the coming year celebrating New Year’s with them.

Brenden, roused and still groggy from sleep, stared at her. His initial irritation faded the moment he saw the sorrow on her face. “Gabriela, why aren’t you sleeping yet?” he asked.

Gabriela studied him, taken aback by how convincingly he could play oblivious. She pierced him with an icy glare, spun on her heel, and stalked back to her room. She slammed the door and snatched up her phone with renewed determination. If Brenden thought her singing was atrocious, she would unleash a vocal onslaught until he begged for mercy.

Gabriela channeled every ounce of her fury and let loose—roaring through the entire song with fierce abandon.

Wesley could taste Gabriela’s resentment as he endured the genuine risk of permanent hearing damage to listen to her entire performance.

He finally delivered his verdict. “You make my forty-third girlfriend sound like a Grammy winner p>

Gabriela had anticipated this exact response. Brenden always imposed impossible demands, and when she finally met them he began a surgical dissection of her efforts. Damn—he clearly had no intention of showing her mercy.

Fine. No one should expect an easy night.

Gabriela typed with calculated sweetness, “Mr. Saunders, have you heard ‘I Will Always Love You’? It’s another challenging, high-pitched song. How about granting me another opportunity to attempt it p>

Wesley, lounging against his bed, chose not to expose her transparent strategy and replied with a single word: “Sure p>