Chapter 67
What started as a heated argument had now turned into a physical fight.
“Don’t you ever try that with me again, Delphine,” Isla hissed, her chest still heaving. “That Isla you think you know is dead. The woman standing in front of you now is different, and she will never tolerate a leech like you coming anywhere near what rightfully belongs to her p>
Her voice was sharp and fierce, the kind that could slice through glass. The fire in her eyes said she meant word that came out of her mouth.
every
Delphine stood there frozen, both her cheeks burning red from the two hard slaps Isla had given her. She looked shocked–humiliated even–as she covered her face with trembling hands.
Isla turned to walk away but suddenly stopped, to faced Delphine again. “And one more thing,” she said coldly. Let this be the last time you show up anywhere near me and my husband. I swear, Delphine, if you dare to go against my warning, you won’t like the way I’ll react p>
Her tone was deadly calm, which made it even scarier.
Then she tilted her head slightly, a small smirk curving her lips. “Oh, and another thing–run off to your little supporters and tell them I’m ready for all of you. I’m not scared anymore. If they want a fight, I’ll give them one p>
She snapped her fingers lightly and looked toward the guards. “Please escort Miss Winthrope out to her car. We’re done here p>
The bodyguards exchanged a brief look and turned to Gabriel, silently asking for approval. Gabriel didn’t say a word, he only gave a short nod. That was enough. Two guards immediately approached Delphine and guided her
away.
Delphine didn’t fight, she didn’t look back. Maybe she didn’t want anyone to see the tears threatening to fall from her eyes.
As they walked down the stairs, the tension in the room slowly began to fade. The remaining guards returned to their stations. Sofie and Betsy, who had been stopped earlier, were finally allowed back into the private floor.
Isla let out a long breath she didn’t know she was holding and walked back to her seat beside Gabriel. She sat down, not looking at him at first. Her gaze moved to Peter, whose expression was unreadable, and then to Ben, who was still pressing his hands together, clearly amused by what had just unfolded.
A voice came from behind them.
“Spitfire p>
Everyone turned. It was Landon, Gabriel’s older brother, standing there with that teasing smirk of his p>
He gave Isla a thumbs–up and turned to Gabriel. “Please, tell me when should I expect my cheque? You just cleared out my entire VIP floor. My customers are gone, my revenue too p>
Laughter erupted around the table. Even Isla couldn’t hold back a small chuckle. Peter only shook his head, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly, while Ben stood and slapped Landon’s shoulder playfully, before
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returning to his seat.
Gabriel chuckled and replied smoothly, “Don’t worry, Landon. You’ll get your payment–with a generous tip.
“Now that’s my brother,” Landon said, grinning before walking away, clearly satisfied with the answer.
Once the laughter died down, Gabriel’s attention returned to his wife. His green eyes softened, the earlier storm replaced by something gentler, something deeper.
He had seen Isla angry before, but never like that. There was this fire in her tonight, it was raw and powerful, the kind that came from pain and love. She wasn’t the quiet, calm woman he’d always known. She was a fighter. And strangely, that made him admire her more.
He couldn’t stop staring at her.
Across from them, Peter’s sharp eyes caught movement. His gaze had landed on Sofie. She looked nervous under his intense stare, pretending not to notice him, but her fingers fidgeted with her glass. Peter was the kind of man who rarely smiled and almost never got distracted, yet now he couldn’t seem to look away from her.
Betsy, on the other hand, was already leaning close to Ben, the two of them laughing quietly like they shared an inside joke.
“Betsy,” Isla warned lightly, breaking the little moment. “You’d better be careful. Ben isn’t the right man for you. He has a clean record of breaking women’s hearts p>
Both Ben and Betsy laughed at the same time, like she’d just said something funny.
“Why don’t you focus on your own husband,” Betsy teased, tilting her chin toward Gabriel, “because he’s looking at you like he’s about to have you for dinner p>
Isla frowned slightly and turned to face him–and sure enough, Betsy was right. Gabriel’s gaze was locked on her, steady and unreadable, but there was something else in it too. Something that made her chest tighten and her breath hitch a little.
“What?” she asked quietly.
Gabriel leaned forward, his eyes never leaving hers. “Are we good now?” he asked, his voice came out like a whisper.
Isla blinked, trying to decide what to say. Her emotions were all over the place–anger, love, confusion, pride- but finally, she found her words.
“Only if you promise never to give me surprises like that again,” she replied softly, still holding his gaze.
Gabriel smiled faintly, the kind of smile that could melt her resolve in seconds. His hand slid around her waist and pulled her closer until she could feel his warmth.
He opened his mouth to say something, but Isla pressed her finger gently against his lips. “Wait,” she said firmly. “Before you say anything, I have one more condition p>
His brows lifted slightly, curious.
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“Until you find the proof you’re looking for, the proof that can clear your name–I’ll be good to you. I’ll stand by you,” she said quietly. “But don’t expect me to trust you just yet, Gabriel. That is my condition p>
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.