Chapter 30
Delphine stepped out of her sleek car at that exact moment. The sight of Gabriel kissing Isla under the storm of lights sent her mood crashing. Her chest heaving with anger, her smile broke, and her eyes burned with jealousy.
She wasn’t the only one. Same as Sia and Mia, their moods also soured. Anna’s face turned hard, and the other Wyndham family members shared silent looks of irritation. They saw through the act, and they didn’t like it.
Only Alfred, stepping out of his black van surrounded by guards, looked pleased. The old man’s lips stretched into a proud smile. He clapped once, slowly, enjoying the applause. He was proud of his favorite grandson–even if he knew Gabriel’s marriage was not perfect.
Gabriel finally pulled back, letting Isla breathe. Her cheeks were flushed, her blue eyes wide and shining under the lights. For the cameras, it was a picture of love. For the crowd, it was a fairytale.
He smiled at her as his green eyes locked on hers. To the world, they looked like the perfect couple. More like they’re untouchable and unshakable. As if nothing could come between them.
At least, that was what Alfred believed. And that was what the crowd saw.
But behind them, standing in the darkness of the red carpet, were the angry faces of the others. And Delphine, whose expression looked like she had just been struck by a car.
And so, the evening outside the Wyndham Wardrobe launch began.
It was a dazzling night in Carminton. Every powerful person in the city was here, every name that mattered gathered to witness another Wyndham victory in business.
Inside the venue, guests were scattered everywhere, talking, hugging, and catching up with one another. The event could kick off any moment now. The DJ played soft, elegant music, something light enough to calm nerves but lively enough to keep the mood warm.
Backstage, in the dressing room, Jeff paced from one corner to another. His nerves were on edge. Clara was still nowhere to be found, and in just a few minutes, the show would begin. The worst part? She wasn’t just any model–she was the lead model, the face of tonight’s show. Without her, everything would fall apart.
Isla stood there watching Jeff panic, his phone in his hand, trying again and again to get in touch with Clara. She couldn’t stand the tension, so she quietly slipped out and headed toward the restroom. She needed a moment to breathe, to think.
But the second Isla pushed the restroom door open and stepped inside, before she could close the door, Gabriel appeared out of nowhere, slipping inside with her. He locked the door behind them and, in a quick move. He pinned her against the wall.
Isla gasped, stunned. “What are you doing?” she hissed, her voice sharp. Discover more novels at.net
Gabriel’s green eyes locked on her blue ones, intense and unrelenting. His arms braced on both sides of her head, caging her in.
She immediately shut her eyes. Having him this close was dangerous. His presence, his scent, the heat of his
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body–it was too much. If there was one thing she needed to escape from right now, it was distraction. And Gabriel was the biggest distraction of all.
His cologne filled her nostrils, rich and masculine, stealing away the air she tried to claim for herself. Those plercing green eyes, the ones that had always been able to weaken her, were waiting for her attention. She tried her hardest to resist.
“Open your eyes and look at me, Isla,” Gabriel ordered. His voice was well clipped, giving no room for
argument.
But Isla refused. She knew exactly what he was doing. Yes, she was angry with him. Yes, she had reasons to stay away. But she couldn’t deny the truth–he still had this hold over her, a pull she couldn’t completely break. And she hated it.
Gabriel clenched his jaw, frustration stretching across his face. Then his tone softened. “Isla,” he said quietly, almost pleading. “Please. Just look at me. I only want to talk p>
Slowly and reluctantly, Isla opened her eyes. But she avoided meeting his directly. “Can we not do this now? The show is about to start, Gabriel. The team needs me. I need to be there for them,” she said gently.
“Exactly,” he muttered, leaning closer. “And I need you to promise me that you’ll behave. Or so help me, Isla, if you try to ghost me again–you don’t want to know what I’ll do.” His words were low and threatening, but the heat in his gaze betrayed the anger.
“Fine,” she exhaled, and her shoulders slumped. “Can we go back now p>
But just as Gabriel removed his hands from the marble wall, he shifted suddenly. His palms framed her face, and before Isla could protest, his mouth claimed hers. For the second time tonight, he kissed her. But this was not a show for the cameras.
Florence
Florence is a passionate reader who finds joy in long drives on rainy days. She’s also a fan of Italian makeup tutorials, blending beauty and elegance into her everyday life.