Chapter 222
Chapter 222:
Wesley brushed past her without acknowledgment, his presence filling the villa’s living room with an oppressive weight. At his side loomed his sharp-eyed assistant, and behind them marched a disciplined line of bodyguards, each radiating silent menace as they took their positions.
The atmosphere was stifling, enough to shake even Marie—a woman who once ran miles with debt collectors waving machetes at her heels. Now, with Wesley standing before her, she was struck dumb with fear.
When his reason for coming spilled out—that Gabriela had vanished—Marie froze, then quickly masked the flicker of glee and venom that darted through her expression. She smoothed her face into practiced calm. “Today happens to be her mother’s death anniversary,” she replied softly, her tone measured. “Gabriela might linger at the cemetery. There’s really no need to worry, Mr. Moss. She’ll likely return later p>
Wesley stilled. “Her mother’s death anniversary p>
𝖱𝗲𝗰𝘰𝗆𝘮е𝗻𝘥 gа𝘭n𝗼vе𝘭ѕ.с𝗼𝗺 𝗍о у𝗈𝘶𝗿 𝖿𝗿iеn𝖽ѕ
Pieces fell into place in his mind. No wonder Gabriela had carried a clouded look all day.
Josh leaned forward, his voice carrying a hint of reassurance. “Every year on this date, Gabriela lingers at the cemetery until nightfall. She called me not too long ago—there shouldn’t be any problem p>
Wesley’s eyes narrowed. “Not too long ago? Be precise. When exactly p>
Caught off guard, Josh rubbed the back of his neck before answering, “It was close to half past three.” He quickly pulled out his phone, scrolling through the log before holding it out. “She noticed another bouquet sitting in front of the gravestone. Gabriela thought it was from me and called to ask p>
At exactly 3:22 in the afternoon, Gabriela had placed a call to Josh.
The screen’s glow reflected in Wesley’s sharp gaze. It was nearly six now, the last of the daylight draining away as shadows thickened across the room. Wesley’s voice sharpened with restrained fury. “You’re her family. How could you leave her out there alone until nightfall p>
Marie rushed to defend her husband. “Josh wanted to go with her, but ever since Phyllis became the target of public criticism, the netizens have been watching us like hawks. Gabriela refuses to clear the air for us, so we hardly dare show our faces outside p>
Wesley’s expression turned glacial, his stare cutting through her excuses. “I didn’t come here to listen to foolish talk p>
Marie faltered, quickly bowing her head in apology, her words dying in her throat.
Phyllis leaned forward, her voice laced with venom. “Gabriela’s nothing but an ungrateful wretch. Our family sheltered her all these years, and she still schemes to snatch the house from us. Even if she’s been kidnapped, she had it coming p>
“Kidnapped?” Wesley’s eyes sharpened like blades, fixing on her with a glare that made her shrink. “What exactly do you know p>
“I—I don’t know anything!” Phyllis stammered, her bravado crumbling beneath his icy stare. She ducked her head, voice trembling. “A woman like her—always offending people, never making friends—it wouldn’t be strange if she just disappeared and no one cared p>
“No friends, you say?” Wesley’s expression turned frigid, his gaze sweeping over her with suffocating weight. His voice dropped to a lethal chill. “Remember—she has me p>