Rebirth of Billionaire's Wife - Chapter 73

Chapter 73: Start getting used to it

“It is because my phone was in silent mode,” Eveline hurriedly said, pulling her phone from her bag and pressing it up against his face.

“You see, I did not intentionally turn down your calls,” she continued, warily glancing at Gabriel’s grave expression.

Gabriel glanced at the phone and then at Eveline before giving her an approval nod. Though he was skeptical of her first answer, he decided not to prolong it for too long.

Eveline, on the other hand, breathed a sigh of relief before turning her phone back to normal mode and shoving it in her pocket.

She was about to turn to leave when she noticed Gabriel’s driver making his way towards them.

“Young Master, aren’t we going to leave?” He asked, glancing at Gabriel with caution.

Eveline glanced back and forth between them, hearing Gabriel say, “No,” before the driver turned and left.

“Were you going somewhere?” she asked out of curiosity.

It was no longer necessary for them to attend college, as Gabriel was about to graduate. Thus, she wondered if Gabriel was already leaving the house when the driver questioned him about the departure.

Gabriel hesitated at the sudden counter of her words and scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.

“After failing to locate you in college or contact you via phone,” Gabriel whispered, “I was going to look out for you.”

“…”

Gabriel glanced at Eveline, only to find her astonishingly staring back at him.

“What am I? A five-year-old kid who will go missing anywhere?” she asked, recovering from her stupor.

Gabriel did not give a good enough response, admitting that he had been overdoing it with Eveline.

Though he did not regret it, he just did not want to lose her sight.

Gabriel turned the conversation around and said, “Anyways, there is something I need to discuss with you.”

Eveline scowled, but before she could question what it was, Gabriel took hold of her hand and led her to a private area out of sight of onlookers.

Gabriel took a seat on the adjacent bench, looked over at Eveline, and took out the note.

“Please read this,” Eveline said, glancing between the note and him.

“Are you trying to confess with these notes now? If so, you should abandon the notion since I stand by my choice.” Eveline immediately objected, and Gabriel rolled his eyes at her.

“I don’t rely on these stupid notes to tell you how I feel for you. Furthermore, this is proof of Gracey’s innocence, not a confession.” He clarified, leaving Eveline to wonder what he really meant to say.

Eveline looked at Gabriel warily and slowly took the note from him. She thought about what it might be, then opened the note and read it, only to feel sudden heaviness creep into her heart.

Eveline’s eyes widened upon receiving confirmation of her assumptions, and she angrily shook her head at Gabriel.

“Where did you get this note?” she asked, her heart pounding in her chest.

Though taken aback by her reaction, Gabriel kept his composure and told her everything about how he had discovered it.

“Gracey has been forced to do everything.” He concluded.

Although Eveline was shocked, she was even more taken aback by Gabriel’s ability to identify all the gaps after obtaining this note.

Eveline hesitated, but after realizing she had nothing left to conceal from Gabriel, she decided to speak with him.

“I did not visit any food stands,” she remarked, glancing slowly in Gabriel’s direction.

His expression fell deeply into a frown as he realized Eveline had lied to him directly. He stared at her, his jaw tightening in rage and his eyes growing dark.

Sensing that something was amiss, Eveline swallowed and hurried to her aid.

She interrupted Gabriel with, “Do not get upset, first hear me out.” begging him to hear her once before going all Hulk mode.

“Go on, I am all ears,” Gabriel said, even though he was obviously annoyed.

Eveline took a moment, taking in Gabriel’s serious expressions, and pulled out the note from her pocket and passed it to him.

Gabriel looked down at the note and then back at Eveline. A glint of obviousness in his eyes as he opened it to read it.

Eveline disclosed, “I went to meet Gracey and discovered the truth that she was being forced to do everything.”

“But why would she comply?” he asked.

Eveline was hesitant but she knew she could trust Gabriel with it. Moreover, it was her way of thanking him for helping her out without even asking for it.

At least he ought to know, she thought to herself and she told him the entire thing.

“Is there anyone here who doesn’t despise you?” Gabriel questioned, unable to believe how foolish Gracey could become in order to win Eveline over for the menial role of class representative.

“What do you mean, I have Daniel and Brother Stefan who loves me and can do anything for me. Plus, Alex follows me around like a shadow to make sure I am okay.” Eveline blurted out, oblivious to the shift in Gabriel’s expression as soon as she called Alex’s name in front of him.

He did mind her taking Stefan and Daniels name because whatever she said about them was indeed right, but Alex, Why would she count her as someone who doesn’t despise her?

“And what about me? Don’t you think I am also someone who cares for you?” Gabriel asked, his tone heavy as he tried to control his frustration.

When Eveline turned to face Gabriel, she saw him hurling daggers in her direction. She suddenly realized that her words had actually made Gabriel even angrier than he already was.

“No,” she answered, making Gabriel’s scowl even more intense.

Gabriel struggled to look past his feelings and express to her how much she meant to him. He felt ashamed that he had not been the one to recognize her efforts at the time and that he now experienced disappointment each time he attempted to convince Eveline of his value.

****

[Hayes International]

Following an hour-long meeting, Marcus, Stefan, and Ella left the meeting room. As more and more businesses emerge, it became imperative for them to maintain their momentum and adapt to the ever-changing global landscape.

Marcus intended to release a new piece of software that would last forever and bring them great exposure in the technology field and Stefan was one of the person he wanted to seek advice from.

Being aware of his son’s technological prowess, he was easy to convince to embrace the newest software designs, and he had faith that, with Stefan working on it, the final product would prove to be the greatest commercial success ever.

“I would like to speak with the IT staff.” Stepping in front of his father as they entered his office, Stefan added, “Plus, I want the overall budget draft ready just in case we need more funds in the process.”

With a nod, Marcus glanced at Ella, who also nodded in comprehension.

“Ella will assist you with everything; just make sure that everything proceeds without hiccups because we still have three months left,” Marcus said.

Stefan nodded before he and Ella left the office.

Stefan started by compiling a list of the things he needed to do. To earn his place as the new CEO, whom his subordinates would report to, he felt compelled to live up to Marcus’s high standards.

When Stefan realized how important this deal was for his father, he put all of his worries aside and started acting on it. Stefan was confident that he knew, and the only thing he hated was burdens or anyone’s expectations.

With Ella by his side, Stefan was confident that he could make it. His train of thought abruptly stopped when he realized what he had just finished thinking.

‘Why did Ella turn into the person he began to depend on?’ he wondered.

Even though they had only been acquainted for a few days, he felt comfortable around her, as if they had been friends for a very long time.

Perhaps the day at her place changed the dynamics of their relationship. Stefan didn’t remember that he had been this comfortable with people he barely knew.

Strange as it seemed, he enjoyed spending his free time with her and conversing with her.

Once they had discussed a few details with the IT team, Stefan asked as they made their way back to their cabin. “So how about lunch outside?”

Ella stopped and looked at Stefan. With a hint of hesitation, she motioned for him to look around with her eyes.

Essentially, she wanted him to know about their surroundings and overly cordial behavior before the staff started spreading rumors about them.

Ella was trying to keep up her image as the diligent robot, but she found Stefan’s loud comments about her a little odd.

Stefan scowled in confusion as he turned to face the spectators who were staring at them. With a playful gleam in his eyes, he turned to face Ella and laughed.

“Ella, you need to start getting used to it because I will not stop approaching you,” He whispered, leaning closer to her and then, with a million-dollar smile turned to leave, leaving Ella and the staff in disbelief.