Chapter 406
Chapter 406:
Meanwhile, outside Gabriela’s villa, Billy politely declined her dinner invitation after returning the phone and prepared to leave. As he approached his car, he crossed paths with Aubrey and Tessa. After brief pleasantries, Billy drove off into the gathering dusk.
Gabriela’s face lit with genuine warmth when she saw her friends. “What brings you here tonight p>
Tessa and Aubrey exchanged a look before Aubrey delivered the news with her usual bluntness. “Gabriela, someone has taken your former position at Apex Group p>
The words hit Gabriela like a physical blow, leaving her momentarily speechless. She recovered quickly and forced a bright smile. “Apex Group is expanding rapidly. Bringing in fresh talent makes perfect business sense p>
𝘔𝗈r𝗲 𝗇𝗈𝘃𝘦𝗹s 𝘰n.со𝗆
“No, you don’t understand,” Aubrey said, frustration breaking through her composure. “A woman has taken your exact role as secretary. Her name is Rebecca Howard — old money. She’s clearly after Mr. Moss p>
Rebecca Howard.
The name instantly brought back Wesley’s parting words when Gabriela resigned: “Perhaps the timing is perfect. Rebecca will be back soon, and she’ll slip right into your position p>
So the sophisticated, elegant woman Brenden had praised so highly had finally made her entrance.
Gabriela kept her cheerful mask in place. “I see p>
Despite her calm exterior, pain sliced through her heart with surgical precision.
Damn it. If Wesley hadn’t already made his feelings painfully clear — that he wanted her erased from his world — Gabriela would have thrown away her pride without hesitation. She would have fought with everything she had to win him back.
But reality had already spoken.
Wesley had cut her out of his life with clinical finality. She had no choice now but to stop fighting for his heart.
Tessa and Aubrey studied Gabriela’s face with worried intensity, only beginning to relax when they saw what looked like genuine indifference settling over her expression.
“Let’s go — I’ve been dying to hold Truett!” Aubrey said.
The three of them slipped into easy laughter as they walked into the villa.
Loretta appeared in the hallway, cradling Truett against her shoulder. Her face lit up when she saw Tessa, and she immediately waved Truett’s little hand in greeting. “Truett, look who’s here! Say hi to your mommy p>
Tessa shifted, clearly uncomfortable, unable to respond to being called “mommy p>
Loretta went on cheerfully and gently transferred Truett into Tessa’s arms. “Two whole days without visiting! Didn’t you miss your precious little one p>
Tessa took the baby awkwardly, but Truett immediately began twisting toward Gabriela, growing restless. His face crumpled — the unmistakable beginning of tears if she didn’t take him.
Gabriela stepped in quickly and gathered Truett into her arms.
Loretta and Miriam exchanged amused looks and let out quiet laughs. “How odd. Even after a short time apart, a baby shouldn’t forget his own mother so completely. Why does he act so distant toward the woman who gave birth to him p>
Tessa forced a smile and chose her words carefully. “Work’s just been too busy lately. Truett must be upset with me p>