“I won’t side with you!” Gabriella exclaimed with sharp eyes, even though tears could fall at any time.
“Don’t get me wrong,” the old man shook his head, raising eyebrows. “I just want to give relief to the illegitimate child. Didn’t we already agree that the first option is much better?”
Gabriella looked at her father-in-law with a straight face. Not a single muscle of her face dared to move.
“Therefore, help Max by making him choose Quebracha. I have prepared two scenarios that you can carry out.”
A second later, Herbert’s index finger was raised in the air. “First scenario, you can steal the documents he’s always kept secret and hand them over to Julian.”
“Then you can kick him out of the company? I’m not that stupid!”
A small laugh suddenly escaped the old man’s mouth.
“Don’t be hasty in drawing conclusions. Think about how it will make you look like a traitor. He would indeed feel excruciating pain in the beginning. But, after that, Max will hate you and prove his strength. Quebracha will remain in his grasp.”
Gabriella was silent, digesting the father-in-law’s explanation. It made sense, but she didn’t want to admit it.
“How? Apparently, you didn’t like the first scenario,” Herbert said in a light voice. After a moment of silence, he nodded.
“Perhaps, you’d prefer the second one,” the old man whispered before walking over to pick up the book on the corner of the table. From within, he pulled out two rectangular papers.
“I have prepared a large amount of money and a plane ticket for you. Aren’t you tempted?” Herbert prodded as he handed the paper to his guest.
Gabriella’s eyes were instantly fixed on the number of zeros in front of her. After a quick sigh, she grimaced in annoyance. “Do you think you can bribe me with money?”
“Don’t take it wrong. This is not a bribe, but the cost of living abroad. Go without your husband knowing. Let Sebastian and I take care of the rest.”
“Are you going to make up a story about my betrayal to him?” the woman guessed, succeeding in widening the curve of the old man’s lips.
“Absolutely right. We’d say you were paid to win his heart and screw up the company. Isn’t that easy?”
Gabriella was silent processing the scenario offered. None of them could save Max from the pain of betrayal.
“What’s wrong, Gabby? Are you waiting for the third scenario? I’m willing to be a part of that,” Sebastian said, successfully making the corners of the woman’s lips twitch.
“What if I don’t want to take this offer?” Gabriella asked, ignoring the look in the secretary’s eyes.
“Then we’ll just have to wait for Max to decide,” Herbert replied carelessly. “You should know that none of the options are in his favor. The man did not realize that he had fallen into a very complicated trap. There’s no way out for him unless I let him.”
Getting that answer, the woman’s heart suddenly heavy. Her barren throat was no longer able to transmit sound. She realized that she was helpless while the opponent was too strong.
“If you can’t decide now, that’s fine. There are three days before Max make his choice. Please think carefully, which one is best for everyone. I await your answer before the fateful day arrives. If your husband makes the first move, you won’t be able to help him get relief.”
A second later, Herbert turned to Sebastian and sent a code through his brows. In just an instant, the secretary moved toward Gabriella.
“Your time here is up, Gaby. I’ll take you home. You don’t want your husband to worry too much, do you?”
The woman looked at the man out of the corner of her eye. Hatred had frozen her sharp glare. She wanted to scratch the bastard’s face. However, she realized that they still had a role to play in clearing Max’s suspicions.
Without saying goodbye, Gabriella turned towards the exit. Her respect for the father-in-law had disappeared. She didn’t care if the old man gave a small snort, looking at her back. A man who wanted to destroy his own child did not deserve attention.
***
“Sebastian, get out of here!” Max rebuked, still not satisfied while ransacking his secretary’s house. The man didn’t care about the maids behind his back, who were compactly furrowing their brows.
“Believe me, Sir. Our master is not at home.
“Nonsense! You must be hiding Sebastian’s crimes,” the man snapped as he turned around, revealing red streaks in his eyes.
“We’re not lying. Mister Sebastian has been out since this midday and hasn’t come back yet.”
A sigh of disbelief suddenly escaped from Max’s mouth. “Since this midday? Isn’t it afternoon?”
The maids nodded in unison, making the man snort in displeasure.
“He must have gone to the office and put the paper down before coming to my house. What a cunning,” Max muttered before chuckling in annoyance and returning his piercing gaze to the maids. “Then, where is he now?”
“We don’t know, Sir.”
Seeing the innocent looks of the women, Max finally sighed. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he put his hand on hip and closed his eyes for a moment.
“Where should I look for Gaby?” The man was almost in despair.
Suddenly, the cell phone in his pocket vibrated. Quick as lightning, the man answered the call. “What’s wrong, Auntie?”
“Madam is home, Sir. She is fine. Just a little pale,” Minnie explained in a high tone.
Receiving the good news, the hot air that had stuck in Max’s lungs finally released. Without wasting any time, the man stepped towards the exit.
“Where is Gaby now? I want to hear her voice,” the man pleaded as he was no longer clenching his jaw.
“Sorry, Sir. Madam just came into the bathroom. She looks really tired.”
Max spontaneously nodded. However, after a moment of silence, his forehead had wrinkled again.
“What happened to Gaby? Who brought her home? Is it Sebastian?” the man inquired while running towards the car.
“Mr Sebastian said they didn’t find you in the office. So, they returned home.”
The man’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Just it? Then, what about Gaby? What did she tell you?”
“Madam doesn’t say much, Sir. She just nodded and confirmed Mr. Sebastian’s words.”
Failing to get information, the man sighed in resignation. “Okay, I’ll be home soon. Thank you, Auntie.”
Wasting no time, Max hit the gas. He should turning back to his wife as soon as possible.
***
Arriving at home, the man immediately ran to the bedroom. Out of breath, he shouted his wife’s name. “Gabriella! Gabriella …!”
Hearing her husband’s shout, the woman who had just finished drying her hair automatically came out of the bathroom. Wearing only a bathrobe, she approached the source of the sound.
“Gabriella!”
Max froze as he opened the door. With eyes shaking violently, he looked at his wife who was standing a few steps in front of him.
“Why are you shouting like that?” the woman asked with a faint frown at the base of her brows.
Listening to Gabriella’s small voice, a sigh of relief escaped the man’s mouth. Without waiting any longer, Max walked over to his wife and hugged her.
“Why are you going against my orders? I almost went crazy looking for you,” the man sighed with eyes closed. While stroking the head that rested in the crook of his neck, he inhaled the scent of the woman’s hair deeply.
Getting that kind of attention, Gabriella’s heart suddenly darkened. With the corners of lips forced up, she said, “Sorry. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay. But it turned out, you’re not in Quebracha anymore.”
“Do you know? I was shocked to death when I found the threatening paper saying that I had lost you. I think Sebastian had done something bad.”
A second later, Max released his grip and pulled the rope around his wife’s waist. Without warning, he removed the thick cloth covering Gabriella’s body.
“What are you doing?” the woman asked, arching her eyebrows high.
“Doing an examination,” Max said before starting to scrutinize every inch of his wife’s skin.
Understanding her husband’s intentions, Gabriella swallowed hard. The fake smile on her face could no longer be kept. The beating heart had broken through the defenses, while fear and guilt had dominated the woman’s heart and mind.