Chapter 16
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‘Pursue me?‘ Gina thought. That’s because they want me dead. As for those who wanted to court her, there weren’t many after Olivia tarnished her reputation. Gina was thankful anyway. It saved her the trouble of dealing with them.
“No,” Gina denied lightly.
“You must be modest.” Neil didn’t believe it. He glanced at Gabriel, whose eyes were glued to Gina. An idea came to him. “Gina, let Gabriel accompany you. I’ll go chat with my buddies.” Neil signaled to Gabriel to seize the chance before leaving.
“So it was you who saved Dad. Fate really draws us together,” Gabriel remarked.
Fate? Gina replied, “Just a coincidence.”
Gabriel served Gina some food. “Is the food to your liking?”
“It’s not bad,” Gina remarked.
Gabriel went on, “What do you like? I’ll make a note and tell the kitchen next time…”
“Hold on,” Gina was confused. Gabriel was going too far. “What do you mean next time?”
“When you come as a guest next time… or not,” Gabriel stated vaguely. Gina could come as family next time too. Gabriel smiled.
Gina frowned. She felt she needed to talk to Gabriel. “Mr. Jackson, we’re not very familiar, right? Are you usually so friendly?” He didn’t look like it.
Gabriel raised his brow. “Have you forgotten?”
“About?” Gina was confused.
Gabriel leaned forward seemingly to whisper in her ear. His warm breath fell on Gina’s delicate neck, making it itch. “Silver Grand Hotel. Room 6069…
Memories flooded Gina’s mind. She was drugged by Olivia that night and Ethan accused her of seducing him. Her family had berated her and driven her out, saying she couldn’t eat with them. Gina went to the Silver Grand Hotel to treat herself. She was given room 6066 but went to the wrong room. Someone was already in there.
“That was you?” Gina was surprised..
Gabriel grinned. “Yes. You kissed me, and…”
“Stop. Gina’s ears turned red. She was under the influence of the drug then. After she suppressed the effects with her willpower, nothing happened.
“What? You’re not gonna take responsibility? Gabriel asked.
Gina looked at him awkwardly. “Well, it doesn’t matter, right?”
I am a very traditional man,” Gabriel spoke seriously.
The going to put up a chaste act?‘ Gina turned away. “It’s the 21st century now. You can be more open
17:39 Tue, 21 May
Chapter 16
Gabriel fell silent. He felt sad. Was Gina rejecting him? He looked at Gina. They had known each other much earlier, but Gina didn’t seem to remember. Or was she pretending not to? Gabriel couldn’t figure it out.
“Did you have amnesia?” Gabriel asked suddenly.
This question was abrupt, but Gina felt so. But she had checked herself. She did not have any brain injury.
Gina didn’t answer. It was private. “You ask too many questions.”
“I’ll stop,” Gabriel complied readily.
Everyone found it odd when Olivia returned before the party was over. Furthermore, Olivia’s eyes were red. Everyone was
nervous.
“Honey, what’s wrong?” Ella asked concernly.
Olivia couldn’t tell them. It was too embarrassing.
Noah’s face turned ugly as he looked at the phone. Word had spread in their circle. Many mocked their family for buying a fake when they couldn’t afford it.
Noah handed the phone to Ella. Ella’s eyes went wide. “Honey, what’s this?”
Olivia quickly concocted a story. “When I was buying the painting, Gina said she had a way to get it. I believed her. Today, she pointed out that it was a fake before everyone. Although Olivia’s lie had many loopholes, her family believed her.
Noah sighed. “Olivia, she’s clearly lying. What does a hillbilly like her know?” He didn’t expect Gina to also humiliate their family publicly.
Noah wished Gina would die. Gina had caused much trouble. James was in the hospital. Noah clenched his fists.
“I didn’t expect this. I’m sorry, Olivia said.
Ella couldn’t bear to blame Olivia. She wiped away Olivia’s tears. “It’s not your fault. It’s all that damn Gina’s fault.”
Noah suddenly realized something. “Why was Gina at the party?”
Olivia wasn’t sure, but she remembered Neil saying Gina was his honored guest. Olivia didn’t want her brothers and mother to know and lied, “She sneaked in dressed as a maid just to embarrass me. I can understand. Maybe Gina thought Mr.. Jackson would dislike me, and she could become Ethan’s fiancée again.”
“She can dream on!” Ella burst out furiously. But she soon worried about the engagement. Would Neil end the engagement because of this? Ella didn’t want to jeopardize it, for the good of their family. “Honey, what did Mr. Jackson say?” she asked. anxiously.
Olivia shook her head. “He didn’t say anything.”
Ella was relieved. It seemed that the engagement was not at risk.