Chapter 229
Chapter 229:
Before Miriam could share her concerns, Fiona’s voice rang out from the hallway. “Dinner’s ready! I’ve reserved a spot, and trust me, you will all love it,” she announced with enthusiasm.
At a luxurious hotel like the Stratosphere Hotel & Spa, the environment, service, and cuisine were top-notch. The meal was exceptional, satisfying even Wesley, who was notoriously hard to please.
After eating and resting briefly, Fiona ushered the group toward the hot springs. Loretta and Miriam chose to skip it, opting instead for the nearby serene retreat. Fiona instructed the hotel staff to set up two separate hot spring rooms—one for the men and one for the women.
Gabriela appeared in a bathrobe, visibly uncomfortable with the revealing attire. It was her first time dressing like this in front of others. Fiona, by contrast, was entirely at ease, relishing the opportunity to show off her figure. But when her gaze landed on Gabriela’s flawless shoulders and graceful silhouette, she froze.
T𝗵е 𝗆𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝗈𝘱𝘶𝘭а𝗿 𝘯𝘰𝗏𝘦𝗹𝘀 𝗈𝗻
Gabriela’s impeccable skin and elegant figure were mesmerizing—no wonder Wesley remained captivated by her after sleeping with her. Fiona caught herself envying Gabriela’s allure, briefly imagining she would be just as obsessed.
Snapping out of it, she mentally scolded herself for such foolish thoughts. What nonsense was she thinking? She would never allow Gabriela to end up with Wesley.
The two of them slipped into the hot spring, the water’s warmth perfectly soothing. The other day, Gabriela had shivered for hours in icy water, the chill still haunting her. Now, enveloped in the spring’s comforting heat, her tension melted, replaced by a rare sense of ease.
After about thirty minutes, a beautiful waitress delivered two drinks. Gabriela hesitated, wary of drinking, but Fiona laughed lightly. “Soaking this long can leave you thirsty. This is the hotel’s specialty. It’s delicious. Give it a try p>
Feeling parched, Gabriela took a tentative sip. It tasted like lemonade, calming her nerves, so she sipped slowly until the glass was empty. Soon after, dizziness washed over her.
Fiona hid her satisfaction and steadied Gabriela. “Let me get you to your room,” she said smoothly. Disoriented, Gabriela didn’t resist as Fiona led her away. With a spare key card, Fiona unlocked Room 1813, quickly scanning the hallway to ensure no one saw them, then guided Gabriela inside.
Billy, shadowing them on Wesley’s orders, froze when he saw Fiona take Gabriela into Wesley’s room. Was it possible that Fiona, having failed to win Wesley’s affection, had shifted her strategy? She was now orchestrating events to curry his favor, since she couldn’t secure his love. Billy’s imagination ran wild, conjuring a narrative of Fiona as a reformed antagonist, redeeming herself through this act. Convinced by this imagined redemption arc, he chose not to interfere.
As Fiona guided Gabriela inside, she heard the sound of the shower, which indicated that Brenden was rinsing off after his soak. Fiona placed Gabriela on the bed, intentionally loosening her bathrobe to reveal a tantalizing glimpse of skin. Knowing Brenden’s reputation as a womanizer, she was certain he would be unable to resist.
If Brenden slept with Gabriela, any chance of Wesley marrying her would vanish, regardless of his feelings for her. Satisfied, Fiona slipped out, leaving the door slightly ajar.
“Brenden, I’ve handed you a perfect opportunity—don’t squander it,” she thought smugly.
Back in her room, she showered quickly and, after confirming through a trusted contact that both Wesley and Brenden were in their rooms, decided the moment was ripe. Feigning panic, she rushed out, shouting, “Oh God, Gabriela’s gone p>
Then she hurried down the hall and frantically pounded on the door of Room 1811. It swung open almost instantly.
“Wesley, after the hot spring, Gabriela just p>
Her words cut off abruptly, shock tightening her features as she saw Brenden standing there instead, fresh from the shower, water still trickling from his hair.
“What’s wrong with Gabriela?” he asked, his voice laced with urgent concern.