Looking at Gabriella who was frozen with a pale face, the corner of the man’s lips lifted faintly.
“Are you still surprised by Sebastian’s treatment? Sorry, he’s been obsessed since the first time he saw you.”
Silently, the woman glanced at the secretary. Sebastian who just sat on the sofa, had returned to a serious expression, the expression he always showed whenever he was dealing with work.
“Are you annoyed that I stopped your act?” the real mastermind asked.
The secretary shrugged curtly. “What can I do if you have given the order?” he said casually.
Witnessing the familiarity of two people in front of her, Gabriella’s breath was getting louder.
“Why do you have the heart to ruin Max’s life? What’s his fault that you want him to fall?” she asked in a thin, trembling voice. The tightness in her chest had constricted the throat.
The mastermind and his confidant looked at each other in unison. After a moment of silence, Sebastian turned back to Gabriella first.
“I have already explained the reason to you. He is too arrogant and greedy.”
The woman’s hands spontaneously clenched tighter. “You do it out of envy, don’t you? You betray someone who trusts you so much over such a trivial thing?” she sighed with teary eyes.
“It’s not trivial, Gaby. You won’t understand what it’s like to keep hatred towards someone for years.”
Seeing the secretary’s unrepentant expression, Gabriella grimaced in annoyance. After managing to control her emotion, she turned her gaze to the mastermind. “And you … why would you take your own son down?”
Unexpectedly, the man shook his head, “No. He’s not my son. I only have one son, and that’s Julian.”
The woman’s eyes froze. The denial had raised a huge question mark that blocked her thought. “What do you mean?”
“Max is not a part of the Evans family. That’s why I don’t want to call you Mrs. Evans.”
Gabriella’s eyes flickered faster under the furrows of her brows. “But, he is your son. Why won’t you admit it?”
Suddenly, Herbert snorted and looked away. An expression of disdain had wrinkled his face. “I told you, he’s not my son. Why do you make me repeat it?”
The woman spontaneously shook her head, asking for an explanation. “What really happened? Why do you hate Max so much?”
“Would you like to hear a story?” the old man asked before looking back at Gabriella with a defiant arch of brows.
“Is it related to your wife’s death?”
Herbert spontaneously sighed in disbelief. “Why do you guess so?”
“I heard that your attitude started to change from that day, the day Max lost his father’s affection,” Gabriella replied flatly.
The corners of the old man’s lips finally lifted higher. “Apparently, you are indeed a smart woman, Gabriella.” However, after one snort, his expression turned gloomy.
“But, did you know that in fact, on that day, he also lost his biological father?”
The woman’s eyes reflexively widened. However, despite her pounding heart and bated breath, she tried to remain calm. “Isn’t Max your biological son?”
Herbert shook his head without a second thought. “Back then, I also thought so. For years, I loved the boy with all my heart. Who would have thought that during that time, his mother had deceived me?”
Hearing the gripping tone of voice, Gabriella took a deep breath. Her hands were clenched into fists, forcing herself to be prepared to hear the unpleasant fact about her husband.
“As soon as I heard about the accident, I rushed to the hospital. There, I found my wife, several suitcases containing her belongings, and a driver. Can you guess what really happened?”
An idea flashed through Gabriella’s mind. However, she did not dare to open her mouth. To be more precise, she didn’t want to say something that would end up being the truth.
“It turned out that my wife was planning to run away with the driver. Can you imagine how I felt when I found out about that?”
Seeing Gabriella remain silent, a heavy sigh escaped the old man’s mouth. His eyes were coated with anger mixed with sadness.
“A dozen years, I was always loyal to her. But she repaid my faith with an affair. And, what’s worse, they have their own son.”
A tear rolled down the woman’s face. She couldn’t imagine how devastated her husband would feel if he found out the truth.
“That woman, she only revealed everything when she was nearing death. She easily apologized and entrusted her son to me. And just as I was about to vent my anger, she left.”
The old man’s rumbling breath instantly shook the air, causing Gabriella to look down and swallow hard.
“She passed away, without getting the punishment she deserved,” Herbert continued with pain in his chest.
After a moment of silence, the woman finally wiped her face and took a quick breath. “Then, because of it, you want to destroy Max. Isn’t that a ridiculous idea? He is completely innocent.”
“Of course he’s guilty. His presence in this world is a big mistake, especially if he lives a happy life and reminds me of his biological father.”
Gabriella shook her head quickly and sighed in disbelief. “You have been blinded by vengeance.”
“Absolutely correct. On the day that cruel woman died, I promised to take revenge through her son. She said that the reason she turned away from me was because I loved the company more. Now, let’s see what his son will do if he takes my place.”
A sly smile brightened Herbert’s face slightly. “Do you think Max would prefer you over his job?” the man asked, raising an eyebrow.
Not wanting to show the weak side, Gabriella lifted her chin with a firm look. “Your plan is ridiculous. How could you use me for revenge? If you think you’ve managed to put Max in a difficult position, you’re wrong. Max would easily choose Quebracha over the woman he was framed with.”
“Is it a bluff?” Herbert teased as he got up from the sofa.
With leisurely steps, he approached a small table at the side of the room. Pouring wine, he muttered, “I only raised Max for ten years. But, during that time, I got to know him very well.”
“You can’t compare Max to that ten year old kid. He’s changed a lot,” Gabriella said with tighter fists.
“Are you sure? Even the old servant can see how much Max loves you,” Herbert said as he turned to another person. “Max hasn’t changed much. He is still a soft-hearted boy who likes to pay attention secretly. Isn’t that right, Sebastian?”
The secretary suddenly raised the corner of his lips. “If I have to bet, I’d pick Gabriella as the cocky CEO’s final decision.”
“It’s impossible!” the woman interrupted with a roaring breath. She would feel very bad if Herbert’s plan worked because of her.
“You don’t have to worry. There’s no right choice for Max later,” the old man said with a sinister smile. “If he chooses Quebracha, I will make you look like his mother. Max is going to suffer the same kind of pain I once felt.”
“It won’t be a big problem for him,” Gabriella denied with eyes quivering in doubt.
“Is it true? In that case, I hope he chooses that option. Because, if he prefers you, it will be easier to make him cry to death.”
The woman spontaneously gulped. However, she tried not to lower her head. “That’s not going to happen,” she insisted in a cold voice.
“Pray like that. If that happens, I won’t hold Sebastian back from doing whatever he wants.”
Gabriella did not dare to shift her gaze. He knew that the secretary was looking at her with a hungry look.
“So, how? Do you agree that the first option is much better? Max will only lose the woman he loves if he chooses Quebracha. Whereas if Max chooses to defend you, that man will lose everything.”
“You can’t destroy Max,” Gabriella said, trying to sound confident.
Letting the glass of wine on the table, Herbert walked over to the woman. “I know that you really care about that illegitimate child. That’s why, I invited you here to make an offer of cooperation.”