Chapter 55
An hour later, Gabriella returned to Sarah’s office, placing contracts on her desk.
“Task completed,” she said coolly. “A five–year counsel contract with £150,000 already transferred. Plus three payment dispute cases and one patent infringement case, all with retainers paid. Total revenue: £800,000. Check with Finance if you don’t believe me.”
She showed Sarah the payment confirmations on her phone. “The firm’s losses are covered.”
Sarah stared at the contracts in disbelief, eyes widening at the signature.” Rodriguez Group… Randolph Rodriguez is your…”
“My father,” Gabriella smiled.
The contracts slipped from Sarah’s hands. “You’re the Rodriguez heiress?”
After everything, Gabriella was done being modest. “Yes.”
Sarah’s phone rang before she could recover. The caller’s panic was evident: “That lawyer of yours–how does she know Asher Blackwood? Our CEO’s in hospital after his security team got to him, and now we’re being audited.
Word is Blackwood ordered it.”
Sarah’s face went pale. “You… you know Asher Blackwood?”
“My fiancé,” Gabriella said coldly, “and the ‘sugar daddy‘ your office has been gossiping about.”
Sarah broke into a cold sweat. “I… I apologize. I had no idea you were Mr. Blackwood’s fiancée…”
Only now did she realize how Grace Bennett had manipulated her. She’d followed Grace’s instructions to target Gabriella, not daring to refuse the Blackwood ward’s requests. But Grace had conveniently omitted that Gabriella was both the Rodriguez heiress and Asher Blackwood’s fiancée.
Now Asher had personally witnessed their treatment of Gabriella and intervened. Would she be his next target?
The moment Gabriella left, Sarah called Grace.
“Miss Bennett, is Gabriella really Mr. Blackwood’s fiancée?”
“Get to the point,” Grace snapped. “I don’t have time for this.”
Her non–denial confirmed it. Sarah’s panic rose. “You told me to target her but never mentioned she was engaged to Mr. Blackwood! I’ve inadvertently crossed him- you have to help me!”
“Don’t be stupid,” Grace sneered. “Why do you think I care about her at all if not for Asher? Help you? I have better things to do.”
“I sent her to those predatory clients on your orders! If you won’t help, I’ll tell them everything! Do you want Mr.
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Blackwood knowing what you’ve been doing?”
Grace hated being threatened. “You dare blackmail me?”
“It’s the truth, Miss Bennett. He’s already dealt with those men. I’m next. If I go down, you won’t escape unscathed.”
“Just resign, I’ll recommend you to another firm. If the Blackwoods investigate, claim ignorance about those clients. I’ll protect you if needed, but breathe a word of my involvement and you’ll regret it.”
“As long as you don’t abandon me,” Sarah agreed, “your secret’s safe.”
The next day, leaving court after her hearing, Gabriella encountered Drake.
“Why are you here?” she asked warily.
“I knew you’d be here,” he said, his eyes intense. “I found out about your court appearance. I had to see you.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You’ve been investigating me?”
“I’ve been miserable,” he admitted, pain flickering in his eyes. “I can’t stop thinking about you.”
“That’s your problem, not mine,” she replied coldly.
Drake smiled, pulling out a sparkling diamond ring. “Remember this? The one you admired in that magazine? I bought it for you.”
Gabriella did remember. She’d shown him the unique design once, simply sharing something she liked. His response then had been cutting: “I can buy you anything but a ring, I’m not ready for marriage.”
It had been deflating. He’d always assumed she was desperate to marry him, that it was all she dreamed about.
“Too late,” she said mockingly, holding up her hand. “I only wear what my fiancé gives me.”
SP
Pain flashed across Drake’s face. He knew who her fiancé was now Asher Blackwood, heir to an empire that made the Ashcrofts look insignificant.
Still, he smiled. “You’re not engaged yet. You’re not really fiancés.”
Gabriella stared at him like he was insane,
“Even married couples divorce,” he continued, his smile turning predatory. “Why not make things exciting? Have an affair?”
The slap echoed through the parking lot. “Get out of my way!”
Drake touched his reddening check, smirking, “Such force. Did you hurt your hand?”
“You’re deranged!” She tried to leave but he blocked her path.
“Let me drive you,” he insisted.
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“Move!” She aimed a kick at him, genuinely angry now.
He dodged. “Such temper! What happened to that sweet, obedient girl I knew?”
Rolling her eyes, Gabriella headed for the parking lot.
Drake followed like a shadow. “Gabriella, I was wrong before. I was horrible to you. Give me another chance. Let me prove myself!”
“I’ll be completely faithful this time, I swear. Just give me a chance!”
“Not interested,” she said coldly, stopping beside a blue Bentley.
Drake froze at the sight of the car.
