Chapter 230 The Three Kids Disappeared
Andy hadn't dared to speak about Alfred's involvement, knowing that once he did, his troubles would extend far beyond just a life sentence.
As for Tiffany, all she'd potentially face would be some damage to her reputation because Andy had no proof that it was orchestrated by her. She'd made sure that every piece of evidence was destroyed.
However, there was a lie in Andy's confession.
It was the claim that he owed her no gratitude. In truth, it was she who had played the role of a guardian angel for him.
When Andy was on the brink of a brutal beating, she swooped in to save him. From then on, Andy worked by her side, handling many dark deeds. Each task was completed with immaculate precision, never once arousing Gabriel's suspicion.
When the cops came questioning, she naturally denied any knowledge of Andy's criminal activities, and Andy, too terrified to drag her down with him, let her slip away unscathed.
However, that didn't change the fact that her counseling room was gone. Sophia had single-handedly shattered her career! Tiffany grabbed the fruit knife from the table and plunged it into the sofa cushion.
Following the incident, the same people who used to praise her were snickering behind her back. Her Whatsapp was blowing up with messages, all prying for the scoop or taking pleasure in her misfortune.
Her phone buzzed, and on seeing "Gabriel" flash on the screen, Tiffany's eyes immediately sparkled with mirth. She quickly tidied her hair and, just before the ringtone could end, she answered with a voice that was soft yet tinged with a hint of hurt, “Gabriel…”
"Where are you?" Gabriel's voice was colder than before, freezing the smile on Tiffany's face.
"I'm at Mansion Heights."
"I'm on my way to pick you up, let's have dinner together."
"Okay."
'Why was Gabriel suddenly taking the initiative to ask her out? Could he have heard about the closure of her counseling room and was coming to comfort her?' Tiffany thought to herself.
Tiffany scrambled to her feet to pick out clothes and get ready.
Having just finished applying her makeup, Gabriel arrived. She grabbed her purse, slipped on a pair of diamond-studded heels, and trotted downstairs. Seeing Gabriel's car, she swung the door open with a bounce and slid in.
"Gabriel."
Gabriel kept his face expressionless, ignoring her greeting, and pressed on the gas. The ride was silent and icy, and Tiffany could feel a a sense of unease creeping in.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, Gabriel barely acknowledged her and strode in ahead.
"Ouch," Tiffany exclaimed.
Gabriel paused and turned to look back at her with a chilling gaze.
"I twisted my ankle a bit."
"Badly?"
His penetrating eyes settled on her, and Tiffany thought about faking it but she couldn't go through with it. She had this nagging feeling that Gabriel could see right through her tricks, and the warmth that once filled his eyes when he looked at her was replaced by an icy detachment.
Once seated in the private booth, Gabriel, as usual, gestured for her to order first.
Even as the dishes were served, Gabriel hadn't said a word. Tiffany tried to speak with him several times; but would swallow her words at the sight of his glacial demeanor.
The pair ate in silence.
At the meal's end, Gabriel dabbed the corners of his mouth with a napkin, his deep eyes fixated on Tiffany. His lips parted, and in a voice cool, firm, and resolute, he said, “After this meal, you’re on your own.”
Tiffany's heart skipped a beat, "What do you mean?"
“I’ll provide you with some compensation. You’ve done me a favor, so naturally, I won't ignore your future, but from here on out, please don’t think of yourself as the lady of the Lancaster Group,” he stated firmly.
Tiffany’s face turned ashen, her eyes instantly reddening with panic as she exclaimed, “But you promised to marry me!”
“Tiffany, ever since we met each other again, I’ve been questioning myself if you’re honestly the same girl who saved me back then,” he voiced his doubt.
A shock went through Tiffany, her heart pounding rapidly, and in her panic, she was at a loss for words, her mouth gaping open, speechless.
Gabriel stood up, oblivious to her distress.
“I made it clear long ago that my marriage would need Sam’s blessing, and you said you’d treat him as your own. I hoped you would be a good stepmother, but it turns out you’re not suitable,” he declared.
“No, I’ve been truly good to Sam, I love him,” Tiffany attempted to argue her case.
“The estate at Mansion Heights will be transferred to your name by Alex. After you take some time to rest, I’ll help you find a job. As for your uncle, Alex is already handling it. You can live your life without worry.”
With those final words, Gabriel left without even glancing back, his resolve unwavering.
Tiffany collapsed in the chair, soulless, as if the very essence of her being had been extracted.
How could this be?
Gabriel was breaking up with her!
Her career was destroyed, and now, even love had slipped through her fingers.
The coveted position as Mrs. Lancaster was all gone.
No! She couldn't accept this outcome!
If she could just get Sam to accept her, Gabriel would marry her. She decided to go to that little pest, Sam.
Tiffany grabbed her purse, ready to storm out, but then stopped midway and thought to herself; ‘even if she won over Sam, what about the other two?’
...
At last, kindergarten had started, and the children were off to school.
Emma and Ethan did not want to attend kindergarten; they were eager to start elementary school, but alas, they had to wait until the following semester. Both darlings were in a foul mood, so Sophia had to take them to kindergarten herself.
“Mommy promises, once we return to the States, I’ll let you two skip a grade,” Sophia reassured them. Only then did the two little ones happily join hands and enter the kindergarten gates.
“Josie!” Emma saw her friend and let go of Ethan’s hand, running over.
Josie had grown taller over the winter break, now even taller than Emma.
Emma felt disappointed. Everyone, Ethan and Sam included, had become taller than her, making her the shortest.
Josie was just as glad to see Emma and started chatting about the ski trip she took with her dad during the winter break.
"My dad got me a violin instructor, and I can already play several pieces now," I shared with pride.
Emma looked at me, puzzled. "Why don't you take lessons from Miss Caroline? She's phenomenal, a violinist who tours the world."
The mention of Caroline made Josie's face fall. "I think Miss Caroline doesn't like me anymore. She won't teach me."
"That's impossible," Emma's eyes widened in disbelief.
'Godmother’s the best, and she adores Josie, doesn't she? Why wouldn't she want to teach her violin?' Emma thought to herself.
Emma sensed there must be some misunderstanding.
"Do you want to learn from Miss Caroline?"
Josie nodded, then shook her head. "Never mind, I've got a teacher already."
She didn't want to make Daddy uncomfortable. Miss Caroline had declined Daddy's request, and he was really upset that day.
Emma could tell Josie truly wanted to study violin with her godmother, but she was holding back.
It was like how much she wanted a daddy, but the topic always upset Mommy, so she stopped bringing it up. The two friends, hand in hand, entered the classroom, with Ethan and Sam trailing behind.
Today Sam came back early from school, so Caroline, with the trio in tow, went on a food hunt. They settled into a serene lakeside diner, bustling with kids playing by the water, while our trio occupied a corner, engrossed in their smartphones.
Caroline's stomach ache flared, sending her rushing to the restroom. When she got back, the kids were gone.
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