Chapter 477
Chapter 477:
Despite recognizing the calculated cruelty beneath Rebecca’s saccharine performance, Gabriela forced herself to endure with grace. “Don’t mention it p>
Rebecca’s inner satisfaction manifested as a barely perceptible smirk, malice flickering briefly across her features.
“Another shipment of decorative arrangements will arrive shortly. I’ll need you to oversee their proper placement,” Rebecca announced with authority.
Gabriela managed a professional smile. “Of course p>
“I must locate Wesley now,” Rebecca declared, her expression radiating manufactured bliss as she departed.
The smile died on Gabriela’s lips the moment Rebecca vanished from sight, her facial muscles locked in painful tension.
She surveyed the romantically appointed venue with its cheerful wall decorations and elegant touches, feeling momentarily disoriented by the scene’s beauty. After finding out that Wesley was the man who had slept with her, she had harbored dreams of such an enchanting engagement party.
“Hello p>
A voice materialized behind her without warning. Gabriela pivoted to find Matthew standing there, and recognition dawned — Rebecca’s father.
She summoned a courteous smile. “Hello, Mr. Howard p>
𝖭𝖾w w𝗲𝘦kl𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝗮𝗽𝘵𝘦𝘳𝗌 𝘰𝗇
“Your name is Gabriela Haynes, correct?” Matthew’s question carried an odd hesitation.
“Yes, that’s right p>
Something unsettling flickered across Matthew’s features, leaving Gabriela puzzled by his peculiar intensity.
Before he could elaborate, Lauren glided over with practiced grace. “Becca and Wesley are reviewing the guest arrangements. We should join them p>
“Of course p>
Matthew resigned himself to Lauren’s request, departing with visible reluctance.
Gabriela dismissed Matthew’s strange behavior as the flower delivery truck rumbled into view, demanding her immediate attention for directing the placement.
The delivery crew efficiently unloaded their cargo before delivering their verdict. “We handle transportation only, not arrangement. You’ll need to secure your own assistance,” they announced, departing without ceremony.
Rebecca appeared at precisely that moment. “Would you mind arranging these flower displays, Gabriela p>
Gabriela surveyed the fifty pots scattered before her and released a hollow laugh. Extracting money from the wealthy demanded its own particular form of suffering. Yet refusing Rebecca’s requests today could spell disaster for her company.
The decision crystallized with bitter clarity — she would move every single pot.
Despite her natural resilience, relocating dozens of heavy pots proved monumentally taxing, leaving her completely drained. As she wrestled with the final few pots, Gabriela’s breath came in ragged gasps.
Rebecca maintained her vigilant presence nearby. “Thank you so deeply, Gabriela. I feel terrible asking you to handle such laborious work p>
Rebecca’s refined demeanor, coupled with her seemingly heartfelt apologies and gratitude, stripped Gabriela of any reasonable grounds for complaint.
After positioning the final pot, dizziness overwhelmed her senses. Her legs buckled, and she crumpled to the ground, her knee striking the ceramic edge with brutal force.
“Gabriela p>
“Gabriela p>
Two voices rang out simultaneously as Wesley and Brenden rushed over from opposite directions, their urgency palpable.
Wesley reached Gabriela first, guiding her carefully to a nearby sofa, his expression carved from stone. “What the hell were you doing p>
Before Gabriela could formulate a response, Rebecca inserted herself smoothly into the conversation. “Gabriela noticed the arrangements appeared uneven and insisted on making minor corrections p>
Her gaze locked onto Gabriela’s with pointed intensity. “Isn’t that precisely what happened, Gabriela p>
Gabriela forced a smile. “Exactly right p>
Wesley offered no further commentary and began removing her shoes with methodical care. Even her supposedly comfortable flats had betrayed her — her heels were raw and weeping blood.
Wesley signaled to the hotel staff for first aid supplies.
Brenden immediately produced a small packet from his pocket. “I’ve got bandages right here p>
His recent string of minor accidents had taught him the wisdom of constant preparedness.
Wesley accepted the offering and tended to Gabriela’s wounds with surprising gentleness, his touch betraying none of the coldness that had marked his earlier demeanor.