Chapter 697
Chapter 697:
Beverley admired that quietly, but still snorted. “You’re a stubborn one, I’ll give you that p>
Gabriela’s voice remained steady, earnest. “Believing she was untouchable because of the support from the McCoy and Howard families, Lauren hired people to harm me. But I have allies too p>
Some of her friends carried weight in the underworld, and each treated her with affection and care. Any impossible task she requested, they would make happen.
Yet she seldom called on them, preferring to rely on her own steady efforts.
Even with such restraint, she was leagues above Lauren.
Beverley was left speechless, storming off in frustration.
With the Howard family’s protection gone, Lauren was detained the next day.
Panicked, Rebecca rushed to Jasper, hoping he could intervene.
“Gabriela’s my father’s daughter too. If she returns to the family, she could rival you for control of the company p>
Jasper’s brows knitted slightly.
“Jasper, you know I don’t understand management. You’ve been running things all these years. But Gabriela… she has talent. If she returns, the Howard Group might not have a place for you anymore p>
𝘠𝗼𝘂𝘳 𝗻ex𝘁 𝘧𝖺𝘃𝗈𝘳іt𝘦 𝘳𝗲a𝖽 іs o𝗇 𝗴𝖺𝘭ոоvelѕ.𝖼𝗼𝘮
Jasper gently patted her head, his tone soothing. “Don’t worry. I’ll find a way to get your mother off the hook p>
“Thank you, Jasper!” Rebecca cried, clinging to him as if he were her lifeline.
Jasper remained silent.
Words were easy; action was another matter entirely.
Chaos in Rebecca’s family worked to his advantage.
Gabriela, however, did pose a certain challenge to him, and he needed to keep his guard up.
Lauren had been abandoned by the Howards. Gabriela’s lawyers provided a preliminary assessment. “Barring any surprises, Lauren will serve at least one year and three months for hiring someone to murder you p>
Though the sentence was moderate, Gabriela felt satisfied. Achieving this purely through her own efforts and without leaning on anyone was no small accomplishment.
Gabriela then visited Bernice once more.
She offered, “Ms. Thomas, within three months, I’ll craft another model for you. This one will be a concert hall. Would you like it p>
Bernice felt a flutter in her chest. When she’d seen the previous model, part of her had regretted that it hadn’t been a concert hall.
Now, with Gabriela proposing to create one, she agreed without hesitation.
“Given your sincerity, I’ll make an exception for you,” Bernice said. “I’ll perform on stage tomorrow p>
Gabriela’s face lit up, her gratitude genuine. “Thank you, Ms. Thomas p>
The new stage was set up at Presley’s manor, carefully orchestrated by Gabriela and her team.
The banquet venue shimmered with precision and care, every detail accounted for.
On the day of the banquet, Bernice performed several timeless pieces for Lilian.
Though retired for years, her skill remained impeccable. Her presence commanded the stage, and her voice washed over the room and held it captive.
Lilian watched, delighted, every note a treasure.
After the performance, Lilian shyly requested an autograph.
Bernice smiled graciously and obliged.
The two elderly women, one eighty, the other seventy-two, both crowned with silvery hair, shared a quiet, reverent moment.
When Bernice handed the signed photo to Lilian, Gabriela observed, sensing the enduring power of artistry.
The moment moved her unexpectedly, and she found herself asking Bernice for an autograph as well.