Chapter 181 Testing the Waters
Tiffany's voice, gentle yet magnetic, enveloped the room like a spell, lulling anyone who listened into a relaxed state.
Soon, Gabriel's eyes closed and he drifted off to sleep.
In the dim light, a sharp glint of determination flickered in Tiffany's eyes.
About half an hour passed, and Gabriel slowly opened his eyes, returning from the dreamworld to reality.
"What did you dream about, Gabriel?" Tiffany asked softly.
He responded drowsily, "A forest."
"Anything else?"
"I saw many animals in the woods."
"Anything else?"
"I fell asleep there."
Was that it? Tiffany wondered. Was she just putting Gabriel to sleep? But her true intent was to make him confront his inner demons. Only by facing them could he combat them.
Tiffany's gentleness nearly shattered.
In truth, Gabriel's dream had been about more than just a forest and animals; he had also dreamt of Sophia.
He was plagued by a nightmare where Sophia was carried off by a wolf. He chased after them with all his might, desperate to rescue her. When he finally caught up, it was too late—Sophia had been savagely mauled to death. Grief consumed him, and in a frantic rage, he pummeled the wolf with stones until its body was a pulpy mess. Then, a voice whispered the horrifying truth: he was the wolf. It was he who had mauled his own wife to death, and their two children as well.
Then, the bloody figures of his children materialized before him.
He broke down, wishing he could tear himself apart.
And then he awoke.
A flicker of doubt crossed Tiffany's mind as she witnessed Gabriel's anguish ripple through his sleep. Upon awakening, however, he brushed off the episode as merely a dream.
She wanted to question him further, but Gabriel had already risen, his towering figure casting a shadow over her, engulfing her in darkness.
"You've worked hard," he said, his usually icy voice taking on a hint of warmth.
Tiffany stood up.
"It's no trouble at all, not when it's for you," she replied.
"I'm aware of my condition. There's no need for you to go to such lengths anymore."
What did he mean? Did he intend to stop seeking treatment?
Tiffany stared at him incredulously.
"Gabriel!" She exclaimed, her voice reaching an almost frantic pitch.
"Don't overthink it. The annual gala is coming up, and I've had a gown tailored for you. Try it on tomorrow."
Inside, Tiffany's panic was smothered by delight at the mention of the dress, yet concern still marked her face.
"No matter what, I swear I'll cure you."
Without another word, Gabriel left the room.
Following him out, Tiffany caught a glimpse of his retreating form and a cunning glint flashed in her eyes.
Feigning casual interest, she asked, "How's Sam doing?"
"He's better," Gabriel replied.
Sam had improved significantly; he was responsive, no longer lost in perpetual daydreams, and even began to communicate his wants and needs. Gabriel's efforts clearly weren't in vain.
"And how about Grandma?"
Tiffany's sudden inquiry about his grandmother took Gabriel by surprise. Grandma had always opposed Tiffany's involvement with his family. Tiffany used to regularly check on her; those inquiries had stopped.
"She's fine."
Everything's fine?
Tiffany's internal doubts grew. How could everything be fine?
She couldn't fathom why the stubborn old woman, after seeing the paternity test results, wouldn't demand Sam—the illegitimate child—be thrown out. The old woman prized family blood ties above all; it made no sense for her to allow a bastard like Sam to remain part of the Lancaster family.
Gabriel seemed perfectly normal lately.
Could it be that he was still unaware of the paternity test?
Should she... stir the pot?
Tiffany quickly ran through the scenarios in her mind but dismissed the idea. Gabriel was too clever; he would catch on to her subtle meddling. What if he decided to redo the paternity test? Would she still be able to switch the samples right under his nose?
So, she had to wait.
Gabriel's brow furrowed imperceptibly. What was Tiffany probing for?
"Good to hear Grandma's doing well. I had a friend bring back some supplements from abroad. Would you mind delivering them to her for me?" Tiffany pulled out the supplements she had prepared from the cabinet.
Gabriel accepted them.
"I'll make sure she gets them, but I can't promise she'll accept them."
"No worries. I know Grandma has her reservations about me, Gabriel, but I'll keep trying to change her mind. Besides, time will prove that I truly love you."
Gabriel observed Tiffany's earnest expression, his thin lips pursed and his gaze inscrutable.
After a while, Gabriel left Mansion Heights.
Tiffany clutched the balcony railing tightly.
"I will become Mrs. Lancaster!"
Time passed before Tiffany made a call.
"Hello, Uncle..."
...
When Alva's mother, a robust and formidable woman, stormed into the kindergarten with her son on Monday morning, it was a scene of chaos. She was raising a ruckus, demanding an explanation from the school because someone had hit her son.
The teacher had already proactively explained the situation to the parents of both Alva and Josie. Initially, Alva's mother, upon hearing that it was her son who had bullied a classmate, had offered a perfunctory apology to the teacher and didn't seem to care much. However, when her son came home claiming he had also been hit, she exploded with rage. She dragged her son to school as soon as the class started, determined to settle the score with Josie and the school.
The principal, unable to cope with the disturbance, had no choice but to call Josie and her mother, Daisy, to come to the kindergarten.
Daisy rushed over as soon as she received the call. After the teacher explained the situation, Daisy turned her head and gave Josie a sharp glare.
Josie trembled with fear and lowered her head.
Seeing this, the teacher sighed internally.
"Josie's mom, this isn't Josie's fault. Please don't blame her," the teacher said.
"How can you say it's not her fault? She hit my son!" Alva's mother retorted loudly and unreasonably, her voice shrill and grating, as she shielded Alva behind her.
The teacher, feeling helpless, continued to explain, "Alva's mom, it was Alva who bullied Josie first. Josie hit him by accident. We can't blame Josie for this."
Alva's mother shouted, "How can you say that? I'm asking you, did she hit my son or not?"
The teacher nodded.
"Well, there you go."
The teacher was at a loss for words, suddenly unsure of what to say.
Alva's mother pulled out a report from her bag and handed it to the teacher.
"Here's the medical assessment report of my son's injuries."
The teacher was speechless.
It was just a light hit; Alva's face hadn't even turned red, and now there was a medical assessment report?
Alva's mother was clearly trying to extort them.
Daisy, without hesitation, glared at Josie and asked, "Did you really hit him?"
Josie, too scared to deny it, weakly nodded her head.
Daisy pinched her fingers together, visibly angry at Josie. She had warned her so many times, yet she still didn't listen and continued to cause trouble at the kindergarten.
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