Chapter 284
Chapter 284:
Her phone’s shrill ring sliced through the spell like a blade. Reality crashed over Gabriela, and she realized how close she’d come to surrendering to Wesley’s magnetic pull. She pushed away from him and lunged for the device.
Marie’s voice exploded from the speaker, raw with hysteria. “You’ve destroyed me, Gabriela! I’ll make you pay for this p>
Marie sounded unhinged, but Gabriela’s response remained steady as stone. “Who gave you that poison, Marie? You know exactly who’s responsible for your suffering. I’ll uncover their identity myself.” With that, she severed the connection with decisive finality.
At Gabriela’s words, Marie’s wild gaze snapped toward Dustin with laser focus. She suddenly addressed Phyllis. “Leave us alone for a while, Phyllis. Dustin and I require privacy p>
Phyllis studied both faces before nodding. She then turned to Dustin. “Take proper care of my mom p>
Once the room was quiet, Marie’s stare burned into Dustin. “Close that door. Then bring me something hot to drink p>
Dustin recoiled as if she’d struck him, his body going rigid. “I’m your family, not some hired help. If you want my cooperation, you’d better adjust that tone p>
𝘕𝗲𝘄 𝘄е𝖾𝗸𝗅𝗒 𝘤h𝖺p𝘵e𝗋𝗌 o𝗇
“Refusing to close the door?” Marie’s lips curved into something that barely resembled a smile, the overhead light casting sinister shadows across her features. “What I’m about to say—if you’re comfortable with eavesdroppers, then by all means, leave it wide open p>
Dustin’s expression darkened to storm clouds, but rebellion died in his throat.
He locked the door, then returned with a steaming cup of water.
Marie’s paralyzed body required assistance. “Prop me up,” she ordered. Dustin complied with icy efficiency, adjusting her against the pillows without a trace of warmth.
Without warning, her functioning hand flung the scalding water into his face.
It hit perfectly. Dustin’s anguished roar filled the room as his hands flew to his burning skin. “Have you lost your mind completely p>
“You never replaced the poison with cola, did you?” Marie’s words cut through his pain like sharpened steel. “You wanted me dead p>
Dustin’s rage crystallized into something far more dangerous—a laugh devoid of humor. He dabbed his scalded skin with clinical detachment. “I followed your instructions to the letter. I replaced the poison with cola, exactly as ordered. Perhaps residual toxins remained in the bottle. That’s why you suffered p>
“Do you honestly think I’m that gullible?” Marie’s voice cracked with fury. “You’re more ruthless than I imagined. What could you possibly gain from my death p>
Dustin shrugged with maddening indifference. “Does it matter? You achieved your goal—Gabriela’s reputation is in ruins. Isn’t that enough to satisfy your thirst for revenge p>
Marie drew breath to unleash another torrent of accusations, but he silenced her with a raised finger. “Listen. Keep this between us—and never speak of it again. Do you understand your current celebrity status? Your name is on every screen. Strangers weep for you, pray for your recovery, and curse Gabriela with fervor. Tabloid vultures are circling, desperate to monetize your tragedy. Remember—walls have ears. One careless word from you, and the consequences will be beyond anything you can imagine p>