Chapter 707

Chapter 707:

Jasper stayed wordless, his gaze tracing the sway of Gabriela’s slender silhouette.

Her high ponytail flicked with each step, catching the glow of the streetlights like strands spun from silver.

Gabriela was breathtaking, down to the way her hair seemed designed to suit his every preference.

And yet, fate had drawn their lines on opposite sides, leaving them bound as rivals.

When Matthew and Gabriela stepped into the villa, they found Truett already fast asleep.

A pang of disappointment flickered across Matthew’s face. After all the coaxing it had taken for Gabriela to finally let him visit his grandson, the boy was already tucked away in dreams.

Still, Matthew quickly brightened. There was always tomorrow, wasn’t there?

He lingered in the living room for over half an hour, downing cup after cup of coffee—three, perhaps four—without the slightest intention of leaving.

At last, Farley spoke up, his tone polite but edged with firmness. “Mr. Howard, it’s late. Gabriela needs her rest p>

𝖡𝗲 𝗽𝖺r𝘁 𝗼𝘧 𝗼𝘶𝘳 𝗰𝗈mm𝘶ոi𝗍у 𝗼𝘯

The words soured Matthew’s mood. Why should Farley, of all people, presume to drive him out?

He was Gabriela’s father, and that alone should grant him every right to be here.

He turned his gaze on Gabriela, eyes heavy with a quiet plea.

Farley, unsettled by the sight of a middle-aged man looking so pitiful, finally relented with a sigh. “Mr. Howard, perhaps Gabriela can walk you out p>

Gabriela rose to her feet at once, but Matthew suddenly clutched his stomach with a pained expression.

After a trip to the restroom, he returned to the sofa and sat down again, showing no intention of leaving.

Gabriela pressed her fingers to her forehead, exasperated.

“Should I call your driver to come pick you up p>

Her relationship with the Howard family was already strained. If Matthew insisted on staying overnight, Rebecca would no doubt arrive tomorrow looking for trouble.

Gabriela was not afraid of a confrontation, but the thought of dealing with the nuisance wearied her.

“My driver is an old man,” Matthew said with feigned concern. “He’s probably asleep by now. I wouldn’t want to disturb him p>

What a flimsy excuse. Gabriela had no words.

With the Howard family’s influence, summoning another driver would have been the easiest thing in the world.

“You seem to be in real pain,” she replied coolly. “Why don’t I take you to the hospital instead p>

No matter what excuse he tried, she had already resolved not to let him stay.

Realizing he could not press further, Matthew shot Farley a few frosty looks before leaving in obvious displeasure.

Farley, however, was left completely baffled by the exchange.

At last, Matthew was gone.

Gabriela retreated upstairs, stretched out on her bed, and sent Wesley a message. “Are you still up p>

Wesley had been staying at the manor these days.

With his departure abroad drawing near, he could not bring himself to leave Loretta unattended, haunted by the thought that he might not return to care for her again.

When Gabriela’s message arrived, he had just finished the soup Loretta had prepared. His lips curved into a faint smile as he typed back.

“Wide awake. By the way, congratulations p>