Chapter 110 Official Twitter Release
Gabriel read the brief message at a glance, and seeing Teresa's expression, mixing “caught-ya” nonchalance with a don't-touch-me-ever-again disdain, couldn't help but smirk. Before explaining, he dialed Finley's number.
"Boss," came the prompt reply.
"Block Dakota's Twitter immediately, and inform..." Gabriel's command was abruptly cut off.
"Don't you dare block anything!" Teresa interjected with commanding force.
Gabriel looked at her, speechless.
"Give me the phone," Teresa demanded, reaching out to him.
Obediently, Gabriel remained silent and handed over his phone.
"Finley, you're not to block Dakota on Twitter, okay? Whatever messages or photos she posts, whatever interviews she does, or whatever she says, do not get involved. And if you stumble across any posts, do at least give it a “like”, maybe drop a comment if you've got nothing better to do. Don't disappoint your boss and Dakota now, you hear?" Teresa commanded with authority as she took the phone.
On the other end, Finley didn’t know how to respond.
Poor guy Finley, suddenly the target of her venting. Whose orders was he even supposed to follow? His job had become way too complicated.
"Honey, about that photo, it was me, but..." Gabriel tried to explain.
"There's no need, we agreed on not meddling in each other's business, right? I won't interfere with whatever you're planning to do now, much less with what happened before. So, it's fine," Once again, not letting Gabriel finish, Teresa cut him off with a smile and passed the phone back to him.
Gabriel looked at her seemingly unruffled and cheerful demeanor, couldn't help but smile slightly, and after taking the phone, said to Finley, "You heard Mrs. Garcia, do as she says."
"Yes, sir," a relieved Finley agreed promptly.
After the call, Gabriel continued, "I swear, I never held Dakota's hand."
Teresa glanced at him indifferently and went back to scrolling through her phone nonchalantly, as if nothing had occurred. After a few seconds, she gave a quiet nod and a soft "Mmm."
"You're not mad?" Gabriel probed, watching her.
"Ha......," Teresa looked up at him with a grin, seemingly carefree, and said, "Have you forgotten what our prenup says? If I'm unhappy, I can file for divorce, you know. I did the math, and if I divorce you, I get to walk away with half of your fortune, billions. So, do you want me angry, or would you prefer me not?"
Gabriel smiled at her and planted a swift kiss on her lips, "No need to split anything. From the moment we got married, everything I am, my heart, and all my assets have been yours."
Teresa gave him a sidelong glance and turned her head away, too disinterested to entertain him any further.
Let Dakota make a fuss if she likes, Teresa thought, it doesn’t affect her as long as she doesn't cause her troubles.
What neither Teresa nor Gabriel expected was, upon returning to their mansion, stepping out of the car and walking into the grand hallway, they were greeted by the sight of Karen and Dakota, sitting comfortably and chatting away with Katherine.
Teresa was aware that Karen and Katherine had a good rapport. The last time they celebrated Cynthia's birthday, the two of them were particularly close.
"Mr. and Mrs. Garcia," the housekeeper greeted with a respectful tone.
"Gabriel, Teresa, you're back! Come here, Karen and Dakota are here," Katherine called out, beaming with warmth as she waved them over.
Teresa glanced at a flabbergasted Dakota and Karen sitting on the couch and couldn't help but chuckle silently, letting Gabriel lead the way to join them.
"Katherine, Karen, Dakota," Teresa greeted everyone with a light smile as she approached Katherine.
"Teresa, do you know Dakota?" Katherine asked with a smile, unaware of Dakota and Karen's unusual encounters.
With a subtle lift of his brow, Gabriel casually transitioned his hold from Teresa's hand to her shoulder and softly suggested, "Dear, let's sit here."
"Mm-hmm," Teresa assented, allowing him to wrap an arm around her as they took a seat beside Katherine. Then she responded, "Yes, I've bumped into Dakota twice, so we're sort of acquainted."
"Dakota's just returned from abroad, and you've already met her twice; seems like fate brought you two together, doesn't it, Dakota?" Katherine inquired cheerfully, looking toward Dakota and Karen across the way.
"Katherine... what's... what's going on? How... how come Teresa is at the Garcias', and was addressed ‘Mrs. Garcia‘?" Finally regaining her composure, Dakota pointed to Teresa, stuttering out her question.
"Oh dear, look at me, I've completely forgotten. I didn't formally introduce you both. Now that you are all here today, Teresa, you don't mind me telling the truth, do you?" Katherine said, turning to Teresa with an inviting smile, seeking her consent.
Just then, Gabriel took over, "Karen, Dakota, meet Teresa, my wife. We've been legally married for some time, but Teresa preferred to keep it low-key, so we haven't gone public with the news yet," Gabriel explained, his eyes tenderly locked on Teresa with a certain warmth before coolly glancing over at Karen and Dakota. He continued, "Karen's a dear friend of my mother. I trust our private business within the Garcia family won't be spilled beyond these walls, right, Karen?"
Dakota's eyes suddenly flared with anger, nearly shouting, "No way, Teresa was Liam's girlfriend, wasn't she? How on earth could she be married to you already?"
"Dakota, manners!" Karen chided, gently restraining Dakota's hand, then turned to Gabriel with a chuckle, “Of course, Gabriel. You can count on me. Not a word will be spoken out of turn."
Karen, seasoned and level-headed, remained far more composed than Dakota could manage.
"Now, Dakota, there's no need to be upset. Teresa's part of the Garcia family now. Maybe in time, you two can grow to be friends, just like your mom and I," Katherine tried to soothe her with a grin.
"Who'd want to be friends with someone like her..." Dakota began.
"Dakota! Watch your language. Even if Katherine likes you and you've grown up alongside Gabriel, that's no excuse for a lack of courtesy," Karen interrupted sternly, cutting her off before she could continue.
"Mom!" Tears welled up in Dakota's eyes as she looked at Karen.
Teresa sat across from them, a slight furrow forming between her brows.
It seemed the news had hit Dakota harder than anyone expected.
It was all this jerk's fault!
Without thinking, Teresa shot Gabriel a glare.
Gabriel wrapped an arm around her, smiling indulgently and said to Katherine, "Mom, Teresa and I are feeling a bit worn out. We're heading upstairs, please, keep entertaining the guests."
