Chapter 91
Therefore, the moment Gabriel stepped in, he became the center of attention within an already attentive crowd.
Now, as Unity tried to engage him and was met with his icy detachment, onlookers couldn't help but be entertained by the spectacle, their eyes glued to the unfolding drama.
"Gabriel,” Unity began, forcing a veneer of composure, attempting to salvage some dignity, “Even though we're divorced, we were once husband and wife. How can we not be close?"
"If you really wanna bring that up, sure, we were married. But Unity," Gabriel retorted, his voice cool and deliberate, "'close' isn’t the right word. After all, we've never shared a bed or so much as a caress. I wonder how's the son you bore doing now?" His cold stare intensified, making sure every syllable was heard.
Everyone knew Unity had married into the Garcia family thanks to the child she carried, only to be cast out when the child was revealed to be someone else's. Gabriel, now openly exposing Unity's past and the Lewis family’s shame in front of everyone, left her utterly disgraced — her humiliation resounding loudly. Some couldn't contain their amusement and openly laughed.
Unity, her carefully made-up face now ashen, looked as though she was about to burst with anger.
What else could she do but endure?
"Gabriel," she started weakly.
"Unity, do me a favor and stop calling my name," Gabriel cut her off, his disgust evident. "It sounds unpleasant coming from you." On the cusp of protest, before she could voice her thoughts, Gabriel turned on his heel and resumed his march.
"Oh, and one more thing," he added without looking back, his voice dropping to a warning growl, "It's best if you stay out of my sight. Otherwise, consider it a threat that your days — and those of the Lewis family — will be considerably harder."
Not far off, Teresa and Hayden were watching Gabriel and Unity, as Gabriel's biting wit left Unity utterly crestfallen. Hayden couldn't help but sympathize, "Unity's really got a tough skin."
Teresa chuckled at Hayden's remark and turned to the approaching man. Handing off her glass to a nearby housekeeper, she said, "Excuse me, Miss Bush, need to hit the ladies'."
"Just 'Hayden,'" Hayden teased with a playful glare.
With a smile and a nod, Teresa turned on her heel. The tall gentleman was closing in fast.
Teresa internally groaned at the thought of drawing any more attention than she already had — especially from Gabriel, a man typically unfazed by others' opinions. It was better to duck out for a moment.
Watching Teresa make her getaway and Gabriel advancing with purpose, Hayden's brows knitted in confusion.
Wasn't Teresa engaged to Liam?
Everyone assumed Gabriel was heading towards Hayden, but he suddenly veered off, tracing Teresa's exit path.
Of course, no one suspected he was after Teresa.
To the onlookers, Gabriel and Teresa were completely unrelated.
Hayden realized Gabriel was pursuing Teresa, yet remained puzzled about their connection.
Of all the people there, only Unity seemed to grasp the unfolding drama.
When she first spotted the diamond necklace adorning Teresa's neck, something felt familiar. She'd seen it somewhere before.
Now, as Gabriel followed Teresa's trail, it clicked.
That necklace was Katherine's.
Back when Unity was still the daughter-in-law of the Garcia family, they hosted an intimate soirée. Katherine, keen to spare her any embarrassment, had taken Unity to choose jewelry from her private collection.
The very necklace Teresa wore today was part of the collection Katherine had locked away, not selectable for Unity.
Now, the necklace graced Teresa’s neck. And right as Gabriel walked in, he made a beeline for her. Could it be...
At that moment, Unity's hand, previously dangling at her side, involuntarily curled into a fist.
It's no wonder Teresa had been so standoffish. She had learned about what happened all those years ago.
Now, with the Bennetts on the rise and cozying up to the Garcias, even Hayden was starting to look at the Bennetts with respect. This probably explained why Teresa didn't think twice about snubbing her and humiliating her in public. Her name was going to be mud among the elite social circles.
Well, Teresa...just you wait and see how long you'll keep that smug grin on your face.
“Mrs. Harriman, at Cynthia’s birthday no less, how can someone uninvited be here?” In came Katherine and her peers. Katherine's face turned to ice the moment she spotted Unity.
These ladies were far from fools; they all knew about Unity's deception, passing off an illegitimate child as the Garcia family heir to secure her marriage.
Katherine's remark made it crystal clear to Mrs. Harriman. Without skipping a beat, she berated the butler, “Who allowed a woman like Unity to come in here?”
“I'm sorry, Madam. It's our oversight. We'll take care of it right away.” The butler apologized and approached Unity with a disarming politeness, “Miss, the Harriman family does not welcome you. Please leave.”
Standing amid the crowd, Unity had lost all face. Sticking around was only going to turn her into a bigger joke. So, with a scoff full of disdain, she picked up her skirt and strode out.
“Such shamelessness, sneaking in like that,” Mrs. Harriman snapped once Unity was at a distance, admonishing the staff. “I don’t want to see that happen again. We can't allow the riff-raff to sully the party.”
“Yes, Madam. We will be more careful,” they assured her.
Unity’s steps thundered on, her teeth clenched at the voices trailing behind her, eyes flashing with rage!
Meanwhile, Teresa actually did run into the restroom to get away from Gabriel.
The facade was something she found hard to deal with, even if she had managed to handle it with seeming ease. But deep down she resisted. Now was as good a time as any to slip away, catch her breath, and escape the pretense if just for a moment.
As she stood in front of the bathroom sink, turning on the faucet to wash her hands and taking a glance at her reflection in the mirror, the restroom door creaked open from the outside. Then, with a thud, it closed, followed by the click of a lock securing into place.
Teresa froze, then swiftly turned her head.
Gabriel!
He must have lost it — chasing her into the bathroom.
