Chapter 25
Even though Grayson was just on the mobile screen, his intense gaze felt like it was stripping me bare.
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“Uh, if you can’t control your side chicks, you’d better tell me now. Even if you’ve supported me financially without an official agreement, I’m prepared to back out. I’ll pay you back instead,” I said, my voice steady despite avoiding his piercing
eyes.
His lips curved into a subtle smirk. “And how exactly do you plan to manage that?” he asked, his tone laced with amusement.
“I’m an actress, Grayson. Now that I’ve terminated my contract with Golden Stage, I can take on whatever projects I want to carn more income,” I replied firmly.
He exhaled a deep, weighted sigh. “First of all, Miss Panda, let me clarify something. I’m a man who avoids relationships- hence the arrangements. I never misled those women, if that’s what you’re implying. I simply… pleasured them.”
The timbre of his baritone voice sent heat rushing to my cheeks, but I refused to let it show.
“I agree with the no–cheating rule. But from how this conversation is going, it sounds like you are the one still tangled up with your ex–boyfriend,” Grayson remarked, his expression darkening on the screen.
“It’s not deception if I’m being upfront about it,” I countered, meeting his gaze through the screen. “And for the record, Gray, all I feel for Gabriel is hatred. Please trust me on that.”
He studied me in silence before nodding. “I believe you, Bella. Since you proposed the fidelity clause you won’t do anything to break it. But…”
His gaze turned razor–sharp, sending a shiver down my spine.
“In case you do go back to Gabriel…”
The unfinished threat hung between us like storm clouds. What is he planning to do?
“He’ll suffer the consequences.” Grayson’s voice carried an arctic chill that matched his tailored charcoal suit.
The weight of his warning hung in the air. He didn’t elaborate, but the threat was clear.
I took a steadying breath to calm the unease rising in my chest.
I trust you
“You have nothing to worry about,” I assured him, forcing my hands to relax. “I’ll keep you informed of any contact with Gabriel.”
“See that you do,” he replied, his eyes glinting with approval.
After the call ended, Cassie wasted no time helping me prepare. With reluctance, I unblocked Gabriel’s number and sent a brief message requesting to meet at the Riverside Hotel’s lobby at noon.
When I arrived, Gabriel looked genuinely surprised as I stepped out of the sleek black Porsche, his figure framed by the hotel’s grand entrance.
“Where did you get the car?” he asked, his brows raised.
I cast a dismissive glance at the gleaming vehicle. It was Grayson’s, but I shrugged with practiced indifference. “Borrowed it from Cassic. Let’s go!”
Gabriel accepted the explanation without question–after all, my friend could easily afford even five of these cars.
I linked my arm with his as we strolled inside the exclusive hotel lobby. I was confident the area was paparazzi–free, ensuring
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Chapter 25
our presence would remain discreet, and the meticulously trained staff were well–compensated for their silence.
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As we stepped into one of the grand halls, my gaze immediately landed on my parents. I deliberately ignored them, making a beeline for the table where my grandmother sat–a figure I hadn’t seen in months.
At a nearby table, Charlotte sat flanked by Lucas and a few of my cousins. She caught sight of us immediately, but I ignored her.
“Grandmother!” I called warmly at the lady.
“Isabella, still as beautiful and radiant as ever,” she replied with a smile.
“I take after you, Grandmother,” I said with a gracious smile before turning toward my uncle, the birthday celebrant. “Happy birthday, Uncle.”
He barely flicked his gaze in my direction, his disdain as cold as the champagne. No surprise there–rumors of Grandmother potentially leaving her entire inheritance to me had painted a target on my back.
“Grandmother, you remember Gabriel, my boyfriend,” I said smoothly, my smile perfectly poised.
“Oh, Isabella! Back together again?” Charlotte’s voice sliced through the ambient chatter, dripping with honey–coated
venom.
“That’s right,” Gabriel answered smoothly, though he quickly turned away from her, presenting his gift to my uncle.
“After you get the money from ‘whoever,” Charlotte muttered under her breath, then added with a s perfected the art of being… resourceful.”
, “You’ve certainly
I maintained my composure. I’d heard worse, but her insinuation was unmistakable–she accused me of using my charm to manipulate men for money, and I still had Gabriel wrapped around my finger.
Gabriel, however, wasn’t as unaffected. “Ms. Prescott, that money came from my mother, and you know her relationship with Isabella very well. Don’t tarnish her reputation with your baseless remarks,” he said firmly, his jaw tightening.
Though his defense was a lie, it was still gratifying to see Charlotte’s smirk falter ever so slightly.
“This isn’t about my relationship with Gabriel. Let’s not overshadow Uncle’s celebration,” I remarked.
“That’s right, Charlotte! You’re usually so tactful. What’s gotten into you today?” Mother scolded as she approached our group.
“Both of you, sit down at the table,” my grandmother ordered, gesturing toward the empty spots at Charlotte’s table.
Charlotte could only clench her fist as I guided Gabriel into our seat.
Then, a familiar face appeared–the server. She did her best to appear calm while pouring wine into our glasses, but I noticed her hand tremble every time she got near Charlotte.
Recognition flickered through me.
“Tina? Is that you?” I asked, watching her shoulders stiffen.
Her face drained of color. Charlotte raised an eyebrow in disbelief, staring at the girl we had gone to high school with.
“Tss, the boring classmate from high school?” Charlotte remarked, clearly taken aback. “I mean, that’s what our classmates called her… their words, not mine. Anyway, what are you doing here, Tina? Still struggling, I see…”
Charlotte’s voice was soft, but there was a clear mocking edge to her words.
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Chapter 25
Tina’s fingers tightened around the wine bottle. “I’m doing fine, Miss Prescott Please, just treat me as any other server today.”
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I didn’t think much of it afterward. Later, after excusing myself to the powder room, I returned to find Charlone dipping away toward the hotel’s garden terrace. It was dim, with only small fluorescent lights scattered around
My curiosity piqued. Remembering Tina’s trembling hands, I followed, half–expecting to witness more of Charlone’s casual cruelty.
What I saw, however, was entirely different. Charlotte’s lips were locked with my cousin Jake’s, his arms tightly around her waist as they kissed, oblivious to everything else.
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