Chapter 696
Chapter 696:
Gabriela barred Beverley at the threshold this time, not even a foot past the villa’s polished doors.
With her posture serene, she said evenly, “Whatever it is, say it here p>
Beverley, who prided herself on decades of cultivated poise, flinched. Her breathing came sharp and furious, her veneer cracking.
“Gabriela, I am your grandmother. How dare you treat me so shamefully? No manners, no respect! It’s outrageous p>
𝖶𝗵𝗮𝗍 𝘦𝘃erуо𝗇𝘦 𝗂s 𝘳𝘦аdi𝘯𝗀 𝗼n
“My apologies,” Gabriela murmured coolly. “I lost my mother young, and no one ever taught me manners p>
“You!” Beverley’s face flushed crimson, fury tightening every word. “You’re utterly impossible p>
Gabriela’s gaze didn’t waver. “Just state your purpose, Mrs. Howard. If there is nothing more, I’ll go back inside p>
After all, Truett was waiting for her, and he was far more important than this quarrel.
Beverley had never encountered anyone so unyielding: impervious to coaxing, immune to threats, and utterly unmoved by her authority.
For a moment, fury strangled her words, leaving her nearly speechless. When she finally regained her voice, it dripped with haughty assurance.
“I’ve already spoken with The Gilded Fork. You may proceed with Lilian’s birthday banquet the day after tomorrow,” Beverley said. “Remember, you are still a Howard. Do well at Lilian’s birthday, and I won’t meddle with your company again p>
“I’m afraid I cannot continue with the banquet preparations,” Gabriela replied evenly. “When the stage was torn down, Ms. Thomas witnessed it. She was furious, and she’s sworn never to perform again under any circumstances p>
Beverley’s expression soured, her cloudy eyes narrowing, pressing down with a suffocating weight. “You dare defy me p>
Gabriela replied, her voice calm, her gaze unwavering, “You were the one who ordered the stage destroyed p>
Beverley pressed a hand to her chest, her composure splintering. “Then build another one! You convinced Bernice once; you can do it again p>
Gabriela’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. “A handmade model takes painstaking effort. It can’t be conjured overnight p>
Beverley’s eyes sharpened. She realized it now. This was bargaining. “What is it you want p>
Gabriela didn’t hesitate. Each word landed like a hammer. “I want Lauren in prison. Give me your word that you won’t interfere, and I’ll bring Ms. Thomas back p>
Beverley’s fury ignited anew, nearly choking her breath. Aside from forcing Matthew to marry Lauren, she had never bowed her head like this.
Never in her old age had she imagined a mere young woman would have the audacity to threaten her so openly.
Yet if she wanted to avoid making an enemy of Presley, she had no choice but to relent.
Beverley closed her eyes and finally nodded. “Fine. We have a deal p>
Gabriela unclenched her fists, a small, victorious smile curving her lips. “Thank you, Mrs. Howard p>
Beverley’s gaze remained icy. “You’re young and reckless. You don’t yet understand that sometimes you must yield. Mark my words: you’ll regret it one day p>
Gabriela’s smile never wavered. “When it comes to someone like Lauren, stepping back won’t bring peace. It only gives them room to push me off the cliff p>
Except for Truett, her one soft spot, Gabriela feared nothing. She never bowed in adversity, nor let success make her reckless.
She knew that as long as she stayed true to what was right, no one could crush her spirit.