Chapter 580
Chapter 580:
Matthew hesitated, wanting to ask Gabriela about her mother’s name.
Was she the same woman he knew?
But her distant, icy demeanor stopped him. Instead, he said, “I apologize for Rebecca’s actions p>
Matthew, a calm and refined gentleman, radiated quiet dignity. He felt profound shame over his daughter’s behavior.
Gabriela replied coolly, her tone detached, “Rebecca is the one who messed up. I won’t accept your apology p>
Rebecca, watching Gabriela walk away with a hefty sum, seethed with resentment.
Gabriela’s dismissive attitude toward her father only stoked her fury.
“Gabriela, don’t get cocky. You weren’t even hurt, and you got the money. How dare you brush off my father’s apology?” Rebecca snapped.
Gabriela spared her a fleeting glance.
Having secured a hundred million and achieved her goal, she saw no point in engaging further. Turning to Tyler, she said, “Let’s go p>
They swiftly exited the living room.
𝗣o𝗉𝘂la𝘳 s𝘁оr𝘪e𝘴 o𝗻
Meanwhile, the thugs cowered in a corner, hoping to slip away unnoticed.
Irritated, Lauren instructed the butler to kick them out.
Rebecca, too consumed by her anger, barely noticed them.
Ignored by Gabriela, she turned to Matthew, her voice thick with grievance. “Dad, why did you give her so much money? Paying her implies that you believe I really sent someone after her p>
“Shut up!” Matthew’s voice boomed as he slapped her sharply across the face.
The sound echoed in the quiet room.
Rebecca clutched her stinging cheek, stunned. “Dad, how could you hit me because of a stranger p>
“You still think you are blameless?” Matthew’s eyes burned with disappointment. “Do you understand how grave it is to send
Those thugs to assault a young woman? She came with proof, and you still blame her p>
“But she is totally fine!” Rebecca protested.
Still livid, Matthew raised his hand again, but Lauren quickly stepped in.
“You’re too upset to think clearly,” she said softly. “You can’t discipline her like this. Let me handle it p>
“I have failed as a father,” Matthew muttered wearily, lowering his hand. “Do what you must p>
With a heavy sigh, he retreated to his study.
Settling into his chair, he stared blankly for a moment before reaching for a wooden box atop his bookshelf.
The study, untouched by the maid, bore a thin layer of dust on the box.
He brushed it away and lifted the lid, revealing aged keepsakes inside.
At the top lay a photograph of a young woman, her smile radiant, her eyes gleaming like constellations, dressed in a white shirt.
If Gabriela were present, she would recognize the woman as her mother, Alanna.
Matthew’s fingers grazed the photo, his eyes misting with nostalgia.
Gabriela, who shared Alanna’s last name, bore an uncanny resemblance to her.
He pressed the photo to his chest, lost in thought.
If the daughter he and Alanna once had were still alive, she would be about Gabriela’s age now.
Lauren pulled Rebecca into the bedroom and locked the door.
“Rebecca, when did you start resorting to such tactics?” she demanded.
Lauren had always seen her daughter as a refined, poised heiress.
She never imagined Rebecca would hire thugs for something so ruthless.
Her stern gaze unnerved Rebecca, who mumbled, “I just wanted to put Gabriela in her place, to keep her away from my man p>
Lauren snapped, “You’re a Howard, a woman of status. Stooping to such shameful acts over someone like Gabriela—is she worth it p>
“I can’t stand her!” Rebecca shot back.
Though she had to scold Rebecca, Lauren’s deep adoration for her daughter made her soften almost immediately.
Sighing, she said, “If you’re going to act, do it discreetly. Look at today—you got caught, and she had evidence p>
Hearing her mother’s tacit support, Rebecca’s defiance eased. “Mom, what do I do now p>
“You don’t need to do anything,” Lauren said firmly. “You are Miss Howard, the sole heir to the family fortune. The entire Howard Group will be yours one day. You need to stay out of anything illegal p>