Chapter 231

Chapter 231:

His eyes narrowed, sharp and calculating. He knew exactly what she was up to. Back at the estate, he might have indulged her whims, but out here, in a hotel, he wasn’t about to surrender.

“Grandma, do I have to remind you that we’re in a hotel?” he murmured in a low tone.

Loretta’s radiant smile faltered, a shadow crossing her face as she met his unyielding stare. “Gabriela cooked for you every day during the New Year holiday, and did she ever complain? No!” Her tone sharpened as she continued, “You’re her boss and you brought her here, so if anything happens to her, you’ll be held responsible p>

Wesley gave a casual shrug. “That was part-time work. You were already paying her more than enough p>

Loretta’s hands shot to her hips, her voice cutting. “You run a huge empire, and you’re still fussing over a little money p>

Wesley let out a derisive chuckle. “Money has nothing to do with this and you know it p>

At the estate, he commanded complete control; whatever occurred there remained sealed within his walls. But a hotel was different. It was full of strangers. Sharing a room with Gabriela could ignite gossip, and in rumors like these, it was always the women who suffered.

He wouldn’t let Gabriela shoulder that burden or face the tiniest grievance.

𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝖿r𝘦𝖾 ո𝘰𝗏e𝗅s on

Loretta’s gaze softened just a touch. “Then, if it’s not about money, we’re in agreement p>

Brenden, however, wasn’t ready to surrender. “Loretta, I would gladly take care of Gabriela p>

Loretta shot him a scolding glare. “And why would any of this concern you? You should just think about yourself, since your health isn’t much better. Now that the New Year holiday is over, I’ll have Mr. Padilla come by to get you back on track p>

Brenden raised his hands in surrender. “Fine, Loretta. I’ve made up my mind. I’ll move back to my condo tomorrow and leave Wesley’s peace intact p>

“Good,” Loretta said with a nod. “Then Mr. Padilla will train you at your condo instead p>

Loretta commanded the highest authority in the family, even above Wesley. Brenden dared not argue, swallowing his frustration in silence.

Under Loretta’s firm decree, everyone was ushered out of Room 1813, leaving only Wesley and Gabriela. Wesley felt a dull headache forming as he observed her serene, oblivious sleep.

To his relief, Gabriela stirred not long after. When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Wesley’s sharply handsome face, and it took her a moment to process the sight.

“Mr. Moss? What are you doing here? Where am I p>

Wesley, exasperated by her cluelessness, let out a cold snort. “This is my room. You came in while I was showering p>

Gabriela’s face immediately went pale. Did she accidentally end up in his room again? Did something inappropriate happen between them?

Seeing the nervous worry in her eyes, Wesley’s heart softened. He couldn’t bring himself to frighten her further. “Fiona was the one who brought you in,” he said.

Gabriela’s eyes widened slightly as she realized Fiona’s intentions.

“You should be careful and stay away from her,” Wesley added.

“Understood,” Gabriela replied promptly, her obedience immediate.

Seeing her so compliant sparked an unexpected surge of irritation in him. He planted his hands on his hips and began pacing the room, his expression tight with annoyance. Gabriela guessed he was probably upset that she had fallen so easily into Fiona’s trap.

“Did you know that this room originally belonged to Brenden?” Wesley asked.

Brenden was a reckless flirt, and Wesley usually didn’t bother with his dating escapades. However, if Gabriela had stumbled into Brenden’s room drunk, it was entirely possible they might have slept together.

“I do,” Gabriela replied, though her mind faltered at the mention of Brenden’s name. On the company trip, she had already stumbled into the wrong room, leading to a mistake she could never undo. If Wesley hadn’t switched rooms with Brenden this time, would she have repeated the same blunder?

When he saw her flustered expression, Wesley’s gaze softened. In a low, almost hesitant voice, he asked, “If it had been Brenden instead of me, what would you have done p>

Gabriela’s stomach dropped. Why was he asking this now? Did he know about her one-night stand with Brenden?

Wesley frowned. “Is that really so hard to answer p>

“Can I not answer a hypothetical question?” Gabriela shot back, her voice shaky.

“Then let me put it another way.” His eyes, deep and unreadable, bore into hers. “Suppose I weren’t a gentleman, and I found you in my bed—well, and then had my way with you. What would you do p>

Had his way with her?

Gabriela stared at him, frozen in disbelief. Wesley was always so composed, so restrained. Did he really just say that out loud?