Chapter 17
Gabriella took a seat in the armchair opposite Caroline, meeting her gaze with quiet composure. “I never wanted to marry into the Ashcroft family.”
Caroline didn’t believe it for a second
She studied Gabriella carefully.
So this was the girl her son had been dating for three years.
Pretty enough, she had to admit, and carried herself well. Despite her middle class background, she didn’t have that obvious social–climbing desperation Caroline was used to seeing.
Caroline had deliberately thrown that barb earlier, hoping to see her squirm. But the girl hadn’t flinched, maintaining her poise and speaking with surprising confidence.
Not that it mattered.
Just another gold–digger with delusions of grandeur, no matter how well she played it off.
“No need to pretend with me,” Caroline’s voice dripped with condescension. “I’m a woman too–I know exactly what you’re thinking. Drake’s quite the catch, isn’t he? A trust fund baby who’s been bankrolling your lifestyle. Must be
nice.”
“I don’t want his money,” Gabriella replied.
Caroline’s laugh was cold. “Please. You social climbers are all the same. Playing hard to get while taking everything you can. Why else would you be
th Drake?”
Gabriella had to smile at that.
“Mrs. Ashcroft, are you suggesting your son has nothing to offer except his trust fund?”
“How dare you!” Caroline’s perfectly controlled breathing hitched. “Such insolence! Drake said you were sweet and accommodating. Clearly, he was mistaken.”
Gabriella calmly sipped her tea.
“And no manners,” Caroline sneered. “Not even offering tea to your elder.”
Gabriella’s smile was pure Manhattan frost. “My apologies, Mrs. Ashcroft. I assumed you wouldn’t want to drink from anything in my ‘modest‘ apartment. Wouldn’t want to lower your standards.”
Caroline was seething.
Where had Drake found this insufferable girl?
Taking a calming breath, she continued, “Let me be clear: The Ashcroft family isn’t open to just anyone. Marrying
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Drake? Not happening.”
“Mm–hmm,” Gabriella murmured.
L
“Sienna is my choice for a daughter–in–law. Her family has known ours for generations. She was Drake’s first love. Save yourself the embarrassment and step aside.”
Gabriella’s lips curved slightly. She remembered overhearing Drake’s phone call about Ashcroft Capital’s liquidity crisis, how their projects were stalling, hemorrhaging money,
She’d considered helping then. Though Drake clearly had no intention of marriage, three years of dating meant something. She could have arranged investment through her channels.
That was why she’d gone to the bar that night–to discuss possibly investing in Ashcroft Capital.
Her father wouldn’t help, given their estrangement. But her cousin Alexander, now CEO of Sterling Industries and one of Britain’s fastest–growing companies, would have helped if she’d asked.
But then she’d heard Drake call her Sienna’s replacement.
Coming back to the present, Gabriella told Caroline, “Don’t worry. I’m returning to London in a few days. I won’t be coming back.”
Caroline hadn’t expected it to be this easy. She was suspicious.
No demands for compensation? No drama?
Something felt off, but she couldn’t place what.
Gabriella checked her watch. “If you’ll excuse me, I have an appointment. Good day.”
Without waiting for a response, she grabbed her bag and left.
Caroline sat there, stunned. Did she just leave?
“The absolute nerve!” Caroline fumed to herself. “Leaving before I dismissed her. Zero respect for her elders.”
She’d worn her most impressive jewelry today, intending to intimidate this middle–class girl with the vast difference between their worlds.
She’d imagined Gabriella serving her tea with trembling hands, perhaps calling Drake in tears later.
This was not how she’d expected things to go.
After Gabriella left, Caroline had no reason to stay. She stormed out, already composing her complaints about Gabriella to Drake.
She had a thousand grievances about this ill–mannered girl!
Her driver was waiting outside.
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Shortly after getting in the car, she received Sienna’s call.
Smoothing her voice into something warmer, she answered.
“Sienna, darling, you won’t believe how that girlfriend of Drake’s just behaved. Absolutely no class–though what else can you expect from new money?”
Sienna’s heart leapt. Perfect–if Gabriella had offended Caroline, Drake would have to end things, no matter how reluctant he might be.
“Don’t let her upset you,” Sienna cooed. “You can’t expect manners from someone so… provincial.”
To Sienna, being middle–class was practically the same as being a country bumpkin.
Caroline continued, “You’re such a dear. At least that girl had enough sense to say she’s going back home and won’t return. Good riddance!”
“She said that?” Sienna asked. “So she’s breaking up with Drake?”
“She’d better! Even if she doesn’t, I’ll make sure they end things. After her behavior today? Impossible!”
“That’s wonderful news,” Sienna said. “Are you heading home? I could come by…”
Back at her firm, Gabriella submitted her resignation.
She’d been here over three years, growing from summer associate to junior associate. This small firm had seen her development as a lawyer.
Her assistant Katie had just graduated college that year, early twenties and three years younger than Gabriella.
When she heard the news, Katie’s eyes immediately welled up. “But why? Everything was fine–what happened?”
“Family matters,” Gabriella said. What had seemed like a simple resignation suddenly felt more emotional seeing Katie’s reaction.
Their relationship had grown beyond mere colleagues.
