Chapter 88

Chapter88 Maybe She Truly Had Fallen For Him

Loretta studied Wesley's impassive face,uncertainty curling in her chest.

Did he like the scarf Gabriela had knitted?

"Here, have this scarf," she urged, pressing it towvard him. "Later, put it on and walk past Gabriela.Let her see it. Make her believe you're fond of it. Don't upset her,alright?"

Wesley inclined his head, answering flatly, "Alright."

Was he really expected to wear it immediately,parading it just to prove something to Gabriela?

If she cared for him deeply, why had she acted like a stranger before? She had even nitpicked his long legs, as if that small complaint could disguise her true feelings.

What a sly woman.

The instant Loretta came out of the study, Miriam,who'd been lingering nearby, quickly approached."Well? How did it go?"

"He accepted it, but he didn't look the least bit excited," Loretta muttered with a crease in her brow."Honestly, what's wrong with him? Gabriela gives him something so meaningful, and he can't even bother to smile."

With every word that left her lips, her irritation only deepened. "Such a ridiculously good-looking man,yet he still can't find himself a girlfriend!"

Miriam leaned close, her voice soft and steady."Don't let it get under your skin. Let's test Gabriela's feelings first."

If Gabriela truly harbored feelings for Wesley, then whether his heart stirred or not didn't matter.

Their carefully crafted plan would have to unfold tonight. With their minds set, Loretta and Miriam headed off to find Gabriela.

At that very moment, Gabriela was chatting on the phone with Farley. "I'll come to see you in a few days.And don't forget-I need another taste of those pork chops of yours."

A sharp knock sounded at the door. Gabriela hurried to end the call and rose to answer.

Loretta and Miriam slipped into the room, quietly shutting the door behind them. They scanned the hallway to ensure no one lurked nearby. Their secretive expressions sent a prickle of unease down Gabriela's spine.

"What's going on?" she queried, her voice tight.

Loretta caught Gabriela's hand, her face clouded with distress. "Do you remember what I told you about Wesley-"

Gabriela cut her short, her tone cool and measured,"Don't circle around it. Just say what you mean." When it came to Wesley's tangled affairs, she wanted no part of them.

Now that she had money in her own account, all she wanted was to savor a life free of messy entanglements.

As a result, she needed to steer clear of the wealthy family's drama altogether.

"Just be honest with me." Loretta pressed with quiet insistence. "Has Wesley truly treated you well?"

"Of course," Gabriela responded right away.

He might treat her with cool detachment at times,teasing her for being clumsy, yet whenever she was cornered and defenseless, he unfailingly stepped in-her silent shield, her unshakable anchor. With him at her back, she found the strength to push against anyone who tried to wound her.

A boss of his kind had truly been one of a kind in the whole world.

Loretta drew closer, her tone probing. "And what about Miriam and me? Are we good to you as well?"

"Of course you are!" Gabriela said with a gentle smile.

"Then I'd like to ask a favor. Would you be willing to help me with something?"

Her first instinct was to nod, buut Loretta's grave expression pulled her up short. Gabriela narrowed her eyes slightly. "What kind of favor?"

"The scarf you gave me earlier-Wesley seemed to take a liking to it, so l passed it on to him. Could you say you knitted it especially/for him?"

Gabriela blinked in confusion. "Why would I do that?"

Turning her face aside, Loretta squeezed out a few tears. "You know Wesley's past thirty now, and he still hasn't brought home a girlfriend. The rumors outside are vicious. People whisper that he isn't into women at all. Some even spouting the ridiculous claim that he's impotent."

Beside her, Miriam was all but flapping her lashes in warning, her frantic winks looking like they might spasm out of control. Loretta was definitely overdoing it.

Frowning in doubt, Gabriela noted, "Mr. Moss is young, accomplished, and widely respected. Even if he hasn't settled down, who would dare spread such nonsense about him?"

Loreta sighed. "He lost his parents when he was just a boy. I poured my whole heart into raising him,always hoping one day he'd build a family of his own.Now, all I ask is that he at least have a girlfriend before my time runs out."

Gabriela kept her lips pressed together. She understood Loretta's concern, but how on earth did that relate to her giving Wesley a scarf?

Loretta leaned in, her eyes sharp with intent. "If Wesley took your scarf, it shows he feels something for you. Why not step into the role of his gilfriend just to silence the rumors?"

The suggestion jolted Gabriela. "No. That's impossible." Her heart thudded at the thought.

With Brenden living under the same roof, pretending to be Wesley's girlfriend would only spark chaos.

Miriam blinked, caught off guard.

The night Wesley had brought Gabriela home, she'd seen the girl's cheeks flush pink at his presence.That wasn't nothing. Gabriela had definitely been interested.

Could it be that Wesley's disinterest in women had extinguished Gabriela's spark?

Oh no, that only proved it was time to push their final plan forward-without delay.

Miriam chimed in, "How about this? When people are around, Loretta drops a hint that you're Wesley's future wife. You don't need to confirm it-just don't deny it."

Gabriela immediately recoiled from the idea.

If Brenden caught wind of this, he might run straight sley and tell him about their one-night stand,ying her as some conniving woman.

ela didn't want to lose her job, and couldn't ch the thought of Wesley seeing her as a ating opportunist.

only been a reckless, drunken night-nothing

a, though, refused to let up. With tears ing in her eyes, she pleaded, "I'm already old,t I still have to endure others gossiping about he made a fuss, she could always find a way to things later.

nner, Gabriela caught sight of Wesley ding the stairs and went rigid where she

g black coat swayed around him, a white scarf neatly against his throat, lending him an ss air of elegance.

so devastatingly handsome! Maybe she truly had fallen for him.

Yet she knew he could never return those feelings.

The realization pinched like a bolade behind her ribs,leaving her chest aching.

With a quiet sigh, Gabriela turned her face aside,swallowing her sorrow.

Wesley's brow tightened in irritation.

He had gone so far as to change into an outfit chosen to match that scarf, and yet Gabriela refused to spare him even a second glance.

Instead, she turned her back on him.Outrageous!

Brenden, never one to keep quiet, broke the silence with a teasing tone. "What's with the fancy getup at this hour, Wesley? And a scarf, too? I've never seen you wear one before. Where'd you even get it?"

Wesley didn't bother acknowledging him, keeping his gaze fixed straight ahead.

Loretta had already grown weary of Brenden's chatter and decided she'd drag him out for another round of exercise after dinner.

Before he could continue, Miriam cut in brightly,"This scarf looks perfect on you, Mr. Moss. Whoever made it clearly has some skill with their hands."

Wesley flicked Gabriela a sidelong glance, his voice flat and unreadable. "Not bad."

The words pierced Gabriela harder than she expected.

She had spent two full days knitting the thing, and all she got in return was "not bad"?

Loretta had said he liked it-so why didn't it sound like it at all?

Miriam leaned forward, unwilling to let it go."Wait,isn't that the scarf Gabriela knitted? How did it end up with you?"

Wesley gave a slight nod. "She kepot insisting,leaving me no choice but to accept."