Chapter 271
Chapter 271:
After flaunting Gabriela’s triumph, Aubrey nonchalantly scooped up the so-called documents and strolled out with Nina at her side. The room was left simmering, faces burning with humiliation and rage.
Back in his office, Bryn pounded his chest in bitter frustration.
Cali, on the other hand, couldn’t suppress a pang of envy. Jaylene’s eyes narrowed into icy slits. “Envy? Of what? In Gabriela’s world, you’re nothing. Aubrey is the only one she trusts, the only one who reaps the rewards. You’ll never have a place at her table p>
Cali bit her tongue. She knew Jaylene wasn’t wrong. For all the times she’d spoken ill of Gabriela behind her back, Gabriela had never retaliated. That alone had been more grace than she deserved.
Meanwhile, Gabriela remained oblivious to Aubrey’s petty theatrics. Her attention was fixed on preparing her presentation for the upcoming meeting at Alphacom Electronics’ headquarters. This time, Aaron would be at her side.
While waiting outside, he struck up a conversation with Billy. “Miss Haynes is truly remarkable p>
For the Alphacom Electronics project, both Williams Group and Vasquez Group had pitched the same strategy: establish two subsidiaries, one to consolidate profitable divisions, the other to absorb losses and debts. The idea was simple yet ruthless—transfer part of the debt burden onto the public, while restructuring the profitable subsidiary and taking it public to raise enough funds to meet Mason’s brazen condition.
But Mason dismissed the plan outright.
Gabriela had privately presented Wesley with an alternative. Her sharp reading of Mason’s delay tactics revealed his true intent, which was to orchestrate parallel cooperation among Williams Group, Vasquez Group, Alphacom Electronics, and Apex Group. At the heart of this network would be Apex Group, serving as the hub to connect Alphacom Electronics with the other two groups.
𝗝оіո 𝘁𝗵e сo𝗺𝗆u𝘯𝗂𝘁𝗒 a𝘵
“Alphacom is deeply rooted in manufacturing,” Gabriela explained. “If they want to transition into the IT sector, their first natural partner is Apex Group. But Williams Group…” She paused, then admitted, “Williams Group has deeper reserves than we do. They’re in a stronger position to provide Alphacom with sustained financial backing p>
Her analysis landed with chilling clarity. Mason’s intention was simply to use the project as bait to draw in investment. He didn’t have the capacity to achieve it himself; instead, he was counting on Wesley to rally the Williams and Vasquez Groups into his scheme.
Aaron blinked in surprise before flashing Gabriela a thumbs-up. “Brilliant!” It had taken a team of six specialists—and even Billy lending his insights—over a month to reach the same conclusion. Yet Gabriela, after a single meeting, had cut straight to the heart of it. No wonder Wesley had been interested in her. She was truly sharp.
While Aaron and Billy exchanged words, Wesley approached, his gaze settling on Gabriela with a softness that lingered. To outsiders she might appear money-hungry, careless, even frivolous. But Wesley knew better. Beneath that mask lay a precise, calculating mind that noticed what others overlooked. That was why he had entrusted her with this project. He knew she wouldn’t just succeed—she would shine.
For the first time, he also realized she was far from the fragile creature everyone assumed. The thought stirred a quiet pride in him, a smug satisfaction: this was the woman his heart yearned for.
Yet beneath his pride, a faint irritation brewed. For all her brilliance, for all her clarity, Gabriela continued to pretend to be blind to the affection he had laid bare in countless small ways. She didn’t return his feelings, and that had to be the reason she kept playing the fool.
Wesley drew a long breath, steadying himself. Some truths weren’t meant to be dissected; the more he turned them over in his mind, the more they burned.
Gabriela, oblivious to the storm churning behind Wesley’s calm exterior, approached with her stack of neatly arranged documents.
“I’m ready, Mr. Dean,” she said.
Aaron, catching the sudden shadow over Wesley’s expression, forced an awkward smile. “Ah, something urgent just came up. Mr. Moss will go with you instead p>
Gabriela blinked, confused. Aaron was already buried in work. But how could Wesley, his boss, take his place? The arrangement felt strange.
Wesley, noting her hesitation, felt his jaw tighten. Seriously? Was Aaron now considered more reliable than him?
Pinned beneath Wesley’s withering stare for all of two seconds, Aaron caved, spun on his heel, and fled without another word. Billy, sensing the brewing storm, quickly found an excuse to slip away.