Chapter 288
Chapter 288:
Phyllis’s eyes blazed with raw hatred, each glance sharp enough to cut glass. Dustin wrapped his arms around her trembling form, his voice dropping to a soothing whisper meant to quell the storm brewing within her.
To the world, he painted the perfect picture of devotion—a husband sheltering his beloved from harm. But behind that carefully crafted mask lurked something far more sinister—something that would devour any soul unfortunate enough to trust it.
A strange sense of gratitude washed over Gabriela as she watched them unfold. Phyllis had unknowingly saved her by stealing Dustin away—spared her from a fate worse than heartbreak. Men like him carried misfortune in their wake, leaving destruction trailing behind every woman who dared to love them.
When Phyllis caught Gabriela’s steady gaze lingering on Dustin, triumph flickered across her tear-stained features. “You resent me because Dustin chose me over you, don’t you? But what does any of that have to do with my mother? If you’re burning with anger, direct it at me instead. Why did you have to hurt someone so innocent?” Her sobs turned theatrical, each cry designed to showcase her anguish over her mother’s condition.
The crowd surrounding them began to murmur, their voices rising like a tide of judgment.
𝘙е𝘤o𝗺𝗆e𝗻d.сo𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝘆o𝗎𝗿 f𝗋i𝘦n𝘥𝗌
“Love has clearly blinded Gabriela completely. To attack the very family that raised her over some man—she’s nothing but an ungrateful wretch p>
A laugh escaped Gabriela’s lips, cold and cutting. “You know what, Phyllis? You two deserve each other perfectly—a heartless bastard matched with a manipulative witch p>
The accusation sent shockwaves through the gathered crowd. Phyllis’s face contorted with rage, her hands clenching into fists as if she might launch herself forward at any moment.
Gabriela brushed off the hostile comments swirling around her and fixed her attention on Dustin. “I need to ask Marie some crucial questions. Will you show me the way p>
Dustin found himself trapped under Gabriela’s piercing stare, an inexplicable dread crawling up his spine like ice. With so many witnesses surrounding them, he couldn’t risk any sudden move and grudgingly guided her toward Marie’s hospital room. Hospital policy prevented the entire mob from entering, allowing Gabriela to bring only two reporters as witnesses. Tyler stayed glued to her side, protective instincts on high alert. The reporters kept their cameras running, broadcasting every moment live.
From his car outside, Wesley watched the chaos on his phone, frustration gnawing at him. He belonged at her side in moments like this. Yet his performance yesterday—faking that heart episode—had backfired. Gabriela now treated him like fragile glass, insisting his status made him too valuable to risk in such confrontations.
The hospital room door swung open as Gabriela stepped inside. Marie was unleashing her fury on the hired caregiver, her bedridden state doing nothing to blunt her vicious tongue. The moment she spotted Gabriela, her eyes ignited with pure malice, as if she could rise from the bed and tear her apart. “What brings you here? Did you come to gloat over my suffering p>
Gabriela gestured toward her companions with deliberate calm. “These reporters are streaming this conversation live, Marie. Are you certain you want to continue with that tone p>
Wariness crept into Marie’s features. “What exactly do you want from me p>
Gabriela produced the evidence of Marie’s recent gambling windfall. “Just two days before your supposed breakdown, you struck it rich and purchased a three-million-dollar bracelet. Why would someone planning suicide make such an extravagant purchase p>
Marie’s confident facade began to crack. Her face cycled through emotions before settling on theatrical despair. “You despise me, Gabriela, and rightfully so—I’ve been cruel to you all these years. But look at me now, trapped in this broken body p>
“Can’t you show mercy? Stop dragging up my past mistakes. Are you trying to destroy what’s left of Josh’s and my marriage? Do you want to see us divorce p>
Gabriela’s voice remained steady, unmoved by the performance. “I didn’t bring this evidence to watch you put on another show. Admit that your suicide attempt was nothing but an elaborate scheme, and I might consider dropping this matter entirely p>
Marie’s wails grew more desperate, more piercing. “I’m paralyzed, and you still claim I schemed my own suicide attempt? How can you be so heartless p>
Phyllis burst into the room, tears cascading down her cheeks like a waterfall of practiced grief. “Gabriela, I was foolish and selfish when I was younger—I know I wronged you terribly. But look at my mother’s condition now. I’m begging you to show compassion. Just please, stop tormenting her like this p>