Chapter 27
Chapter 27:
Wesley glanced at Billy and remarked, “We’ll make a quick stop at Rosemont Gardens. I need to pick someone up p>
Billy shot him a puzzled look in the rearview mirror. Who in the world could possibly be so significant that Wesley himself would show up at their door? Rosemont Gardens wasn’t exactly exclusive—just a cluster of tastefully bland homes for the comfortably well-off. It was hardly the sort of place that drew VIPs. Still, someone there had managed to snag Wesley’s personal attention. He didn’t voice the question, just eased the car around with a silent nod and headed off.
Meanwhile, Gabriela glanced at her phone and shot off a brisk “Okay” to “NotASaunders” before tossing the device onto the table. She knew she didn’t care about Brenden, not really, yet somehow, his text still managed to upset her.
Frustration simmering just beneath the surface, Gabriela dusted on a quick layer of makeup, snatched up her purse, and strode downstairs. The second she pushed through the door, a sharp December breeze whipped against her cheeks. Her thin dress did nothing to keep out the chill, and she instinctively hunched her shoulders, grateful she’d thought to bring a coat.
She had just started to shrug it on when Phyllis reappeared, practically glued to Dustin’s side, parading her affection for everyone to see. Gabriela breezed past them without so much as a glance, determined not to acknowledge their presence.
Still, Phyllis’s sharp gaze locked onto the deep blue dress hugging Gabriela’s figure—a rare edition she’d only ever admired in glossy magazine spreads, rumored to cost a jaw-dropping seven figures. Jealousy flickered in Phyllis’s eyes, but with Dustin at her side, she kept her envy tightly masked. She affected a gentle tone and called out, “Gabriela, are you going on a date with your boyfriend tonight? It’s freezing out. No matter how much you want to turn heads, you really should cover up a little p>
The words slid from her lips like honey, but the dig was razor-sharp, aimed directly at Gabriela’s bare shoulders and luminous, delicate skin—so flawless it seemed to give off its own soft glow, infuriatingly gorgeous.
When Phyllis saw Dustin’s lingering gaze on Gabriela, she was filled with resentment. Dustin couldn’t peel his eyes away from Gabriela, his gaze openly tracing every line of her exposed skin, barely disguising his desire.
J𝗼𝗂n 𝘵𝗵𝘦 𝖼𝘰𝘮𝗆𝘂ոі𝘵𝗒 а𝘁
Chapter 28:
That coat draped over Gabriela’s arm appeared cheap, but the aura she radiated—carrying herself with effortless confidence—transformed it into a statement piece, giving her the poise of modern royalty.
Flashing a sugar-sweet smile, Gabriela replied, “No worries. My boyfriend’s taking me out to an exclusive event tonight. Central heating and all—I’ll be perfectly cozy p>
Though she wasn’t dating Brenden, Gabriela could play the part of a high-society girlfriend as smoothly as anyone.
Phyllis’s expression soured. She leaned closer to Dustin, her tone dripping with contempt. “Gabriela’s found herself a wealthy boyfriend, but won’t even introduce him to the family. I’m honestly concerned she’s fallen for some creepy older guy. Just yesterday, I tried to set her up with my mentor’s son—a respectable, well-educated man. She practically turned her nose up and even offended him! I guess I was just meddling in things that aren’t my business after all p>
Dustin, never one to question what he was told, recalled the words Gabriela’s colleague had said earlier. His jaw tightened in obvious irritation. “Gabriela, I know I’ve messed up and hurt you before, but you really shouldn’t stoop this low. I’m honestly disappointed in you p>
Who did this arrogant clown think he was, lecturing her like he had any right? In that instant, Gabriela found herself oddly grateful to Phyllis—at least now she saw Dustin’s true nature with crystal clarity.
“My boyfriend isn’t just wealthier than you—he’s taller, better looking, and, best of all, he knows how to stay loyal. He won’t cheat on me. Honestly, dating you was me stooping way too low p>
She flashed a breezy, dazzling smile as she finished, watching with satisfaction as both Dustin’s and Phyllis’s faces dropped.
Were her barbs so sharp that they struck a nerve with them? She hadn’t thought they’d both look so utterly floored.
As Gabriela took in their stunned silence, she caught their wide-eyed stares—only to realize they weren’t even looking at her anymore. She spun around and spotted a sleek black Rolls-Royce pulled up at the curb, accompanied by a cluster of towering bodyguards.
𝖳𝗵𝖾 b𝖾𝘀𝗍 rе𝘃i𝗲𝗐ѕ 𝘰𝘯
The whole scene radiated such quiet menace that no one in their right mind would dare approach.