Chapter 174
But to everyone's consternation, it was Teresa who reacted swiftly. With a cheerful stride over to Dakota, she delivered a slap across Dakota's face, no need for Gabriel's intervention.
The room stood in stunned silence, witnessing the scene unfold. Only Gabriel began to clap and cheer, beaming with approval.
The sound of applause turned every head in the room towards Gabriel, leaving the crowd more bewildered than before.
Hayden had humiliated her, and Teresa had struck her. In a flash of rage, Dakota raised her hand to strike back at Teresa, but her arm was only halfway up when Gabriel swiftly moved in, seized her wrist, and with a look of disdain, flung her arm away forcefully.
"Ah!"
A sharp scream echoed as Dakota stumbled backward, crashing into a small round table, and fell to the floor. The cake, perfectly perched on the table, tumbled down, smearing Dakota with its creamy frosting from head to toe.
"Teresa, you..."
"What? That slap was well-deserved," Dakota hissed through gritted teeth, furious and filled with hatred as she glared at Teresa. She was about to curse out but was abruptly interrupted by Hayden.
With contempt, Hayden stood with arms crossed, looking down at Dakota sprawled on the floor. She scanned the room with disgust and asked, "Who had the poor taste to bring this phony woman here?"
The room, filled with a couple dozen heiresses and socialites, fell silent with trepidation, no one made a sound.
"Dakota, you've got a thing for snakes, don't you? Skulking around, causing trouble for my wife, right?" While the crowd remained silent, Gabriel wrapped his arm around Teresa, his dark eyes glinting with danger as he bore down on Dakota, "Fine, tonight you'll get a taste of what it's like to keep company with snakes."
The butler had called them on their way over, reporting that Dakota had visited the same high-end boutique where Teresa's dress was being tailored. She'd even seen the finished gown that morning.
Later, while the dress was being delivered, Dakota's men distracted the shop assistant, allowing Dakota to sneak a serpent into the dress.
Facing Gabriel and Teresa, Dakota's body involuntarily shivered, but she feigned calmness, "Gabriel, I have no idea what you're talking about."
"You don't?!" Gabriel's derisive laugh showed he had no interest in arguing with her, "If you survive tonight without a snakebite, consider yourself lucky. But if you ever try anything against my wife again, I'll make darn sure you won't even find a place in the Clinton family."
"Gabriel! You..."
"Get her out of here! From now on, if anyone dares to invite Dakota to any event, they're picking a fight with me, Gabriel, and my family." Gabriel's command sliced through the tensed silence even before Dakota's scornful retort could fall, accompanied by a dismissive sneer. He turned to the bodyguards stationed outside.
"Yes, sir," came the swift response from two bodyguards who stepped in, grabbed Dakota by the arms, and marched her toward the exit.
"Gabriel, I hate you! I'll hate you forever!" Dakota screeched, her voice laced with bitterness as she was dragged away, "I curse you all! May Teresa be unfaithful to you. May you fall for another woman! Neither you nor Teresa will have a happy ending..."
The onlookers cringed, Dakota's chilling screams twisting their expressions into frowns as she was hauled out of sight.
"Anyone here who keeps messing with Dakota isn't just crossing the Garcias, but you're crossing me, Hayden as well. Let's keep things friendly and peaceful among us. With Dakota's penchant for stealing designs and a vindictive heart like a venomous snake, everyone should steer clear of her," Hayden spoke with a smooth smile as Dakota was removed. She then clapped his hands cheerily, "Alright, folks, let's kick off this party and get back to business as usual."
At Hayden's words, smiles slowly returned to the faces of the guests, and the room's atmosphere began to normalize once again.
Dakota had no choice. Though consumed with rage, she was forced to retreat in disgrace.
Inside her getaway car, her phone rang from within her purse. It was her father, Alan Clinton, on the line. She hastily answered.
"Dad..."
"Dakota, I don't care where you are right now, get your butt back here immediately. Or don't bother coming back at all."
Her father's angry voice boomed through the receiver before she could even reply. Dakota winced and pulled the phone away from her ear. Alan cut the call abruptly, leaving Dakota staring at the phone as it emitted a continuous beep. Unease, and even fear, began to gnaw at her.
Could Alan have found out about the snake she put in Teresa's gift box?
He had warned her before not to mess with Teresa again, threatening to disown his own daughter if she stepped out of line.
This time, what would her father do...?
Heart pounding, Dakota made her way home, tension wrapping around her like a cloak. She stepped out of the car and into the house, only to be greeted by the sight of several people clutching large mesh bags writhing with snakes of various colors. A shiver shot through her, knees wobbly, nearly sending her crashing to the floor in fright.
