Camella bristled at the thinly veiled insult, her pride stung by Mark's insinuation. Yet, she remained composed, refusing to allow his provocations to rattle her. "I never said that," she retorted evenly, her gaze unwavering as she met Mark's challenging stare.Mark nodded with a smirk, his eyes gleaming with a hint of mockery. “So, you think you're capable, but you're belittling our company then?"Camella arched her brow and let out an exasperated sigh, her eyes rolling in response to Mark's provocation."I respectfully disagree," she retorted, her voice unwavering despite the tension in the room. "The Wellington Group is renowned for their stringent negotiating tactics and unwavering stance. Our past attempts to secure deals with them have faced significant challenges."Once again, several heads in the room nodded in agreement, affirming the validity of Camella's arguments. However, Mark remained unconvinced, seizing the opportunity to take a jab at Camella's confidence.“Camella, h
Camella shot Gabriel an icy glare as he approached, her displeasure evident in her tense demeanor. "What are you doing here?" she demanded, her voice laced with thinly veiled frustration.Gabriel shifted uncomfortably under her gaze, his expression sheepish as he struggled to come up with a plausible explanation. "I... uh... I'm here to... uh... recover my unpaid salary from the head of the security department," he stammered, his lie falling flat in the face of Camella's incredulity.Camella's eyes narrowed at his feeble excuse, her patience wearing thin. "That's disappointing," she snapped, her tone laced with disappointment. "You should just forget about it."As Gabriel recoiled at her harsh words, Camella couldn't help but feel a pang of regret at the way their conversation had unfolded. Deep down, she knew that their relationship was strained enough without adding further tension to the mix.His facade of reluctance faltered under Camella's gentle reassurance, his expression softe
Mark's confidence wavered as he felt Gabriel's strength, but he refused to back down. "I know exactly who I'm dealing with," he retorted, trying to maintain his composure. "And I won't let you or your wife get away with anything."Gabriel's grip tightened even further, his eyes narrowed into slits. "You're treading on dangerous ground, Mark," he warned, his voice barely above a whisper. "I will repeat myself once and for all. If you dare to touch my wife, you'll regret it."Mark swallowed hard, realizing he had underestimated Gabriel's resolve. With a shaky nod, he pulled away, straightening his collar. "We'll see about that," he muttered.“Okay then. Go on. Keep trying,” Gabriel encouraged, finding it amusing. He felt it was fun to play along with Mark and humiliate him later. Mark chuckled, believing Gabriel was cowering before hastily making his way to the general meeting room. Watching him disappear into the room, Gabriel stood there, his jaw clenched with anger. He knew he had
The General Manager, keenly observing the reactions of most people and sensing the unease in the room, sought to alleviate any discomfort. "Please, everyone," he began, "understand that Mr. Wells values his privacy and prefers not to engage in direct interactions. Hence, the mask."Mark, seizing the opportunity to impress the new shareholder, quickly jumped in. "Absolutely," he affirmed, his tone authoritative. "Let's all respect Mr. Wells' preferences and focus on the agenda."Addressing Gabriel directly, albeit unknowingly, Mark continued, "Mr. Wells, we want you to feel at ease here. If there's anything we can do to accommodate your needs, please don't hesitate to let us know." Gabriel, hidden behind his disguise, simply nodded in acknowledgment, observing the dynamics of the room with keen interest. Despite Mark's attempts to curry favor, Gabriel remained guarded, wary of revealing his true identity just yet.As the General Manager respectfully invited Mr. Wells to address the ro
Mark, feeling the sting of Gabriel's remark, attempted to defend himself. "I've done a lot for this company," he protested, his voice tinged with defensiveness. "That's why the General Manager values my contributions." He glanced at the General Manager. However, before he could continue, the General Manager intervened, his tone firm and commanding. "Let's focus on the matter at hand, shall we?" he interjected, effectively silencing Mark and redirecting the conversation back to the agenda. Mark, left to simmer in his wounded pride, reluctantly complied, knowing that his attempts to impress Mr. Wells had backfired.After the meeting agenda had been completed, Camella approached the General Manager, seeking permission to discuss the task assigned to her by Mark – negotiating a deal with the Wellington Group, a task that seemed daunting and nearly impossible. With the General Manager's consent, she turned to Mr. Wells for advice, explaining the challenges she faced.Mr. Wells listened a
Gabriel arrived at Baigh company with Jessie in tow, both of them wearing bright smiles. "Hey, Camella," he greeted Camella as they met in her office."Hi, Mom!" Jessie exclaimed, practically bouncing with excitement. "Look at all the cool clothes Dad got me!"Camella couldn't help but smile at her daughter's enthusiasm, but she also couldn't ignore the pang of concern in her chest. "They're very nice, sweetheart," she said, examining the clothes. Leaning into Gabriel, she spoke softly, her voice tinged with concern. "Gabriel, you need to be careful not to spoil her with knock-offs," she murmured, her eyes flicking towards Jessie. "We don't want her to become too focused on material things."Gabriel, not one to dwell on small details, simply nodded in agreement, his expression thoughtful as he absorbed Camella's advice. "You're right, Camella. I'll make sure to remember that next time," he promised, his voice steady and reassuring.Jessie's excitement remained palpable as she nodded e
Chapter 40Camella's initial shock quickly turned into frustration as she regarded Gabriel with narrowed eyes. "Gabriel, this isn't about bragging. We need to be practical," she lectured, her tone firm.Gabriel's brow furrowed in confusion, his expression earnest as he attempted to explain. "I understand, Camella. But I just want to make this special for your father," he protested, his voice tinged with sincerity.However, Camella's resolve remained steadfast as she shook her head decisively. "We can't afford to splurge like this," she insisted, her tone unwavering.Sighing in resignation, Gabriel nodded in understanding, realizing that Camella was not going to budge on her decision. “We can get something else similar or…”"No, let's go to the antique shop then," Camella acquiesced, her voice tinged with disappointment.Gabriel sensed Camella's disbelief in his ability to afford the expensive cups. Wanting to avoid any tension, he agreed to her suggestion without protest. Together, th
They arrived at an antique shop and they all started looking out for something. As Camella and Jessie browsed through some items with modest price tags, Gabriel's keen eye caught sight of a seemingly ordinary antique tucked away in a corner. With a curious glint in his eyes, he approached it, his interest piqued. The shop owner noticed Gabriel's intrigue and approached him with a polite smile. "Ah, that one catches your eye, sir?" he asked, gesturing toward the antique. Gabriel nodded, examining the piece with a thoughtful expression. "Yes, it does. It seems rather unassuming, but there's something about it that intrigues me." The shop owner nodded knowingly. "Indeed, sir. That piece may look ordinary, but it holds a significant value, both in terms of its history and craftsmanship." Intrigued, Gabriel listened as the shop owner shared the story behind the antique, detailing its origins and the skilled hands that crafted it. Meanwhile, Camella and Jessie wandered over, curious abo
The day of Camella’s delivery was a difficult one. The air was thick with tension, and Gabriel paced the hospital corridor, his face lined with worry. His heart pounded each time he heard footsteps approach, hoping for news. Dan stood beside him, trying his best to calm him down."She's strong, Gabriel. She'll get through this," Dan said, placing a hand on his shoulder. Zoe nodded in support. "Remember how well she did with Jessie? She can do it again."Gabriel nodded but his eyes were distant, full of concern. "I know, but this is different. The doctors said there were complications. It wasn’t like this with Jessie."Dan sighed. "Sometimes things don’t go as planned, but she’s in good hands. You have to trust that."Time dragged on, each minute feeling like an hour. Then, finally, the door to the delivery room opened, and the doctor emerged. His expression was serious, almost grave, and Gabriel's heart sank."Doctor, is she okay? Is the baby okay?" Gabriel asked, his voice almost bre
Gabriel's return was like a sudden burst of light piercing through the darkness that had settled in the room where his body was laid before he left, making his way downstairs. His family had been sitting in silence in the living room, weighed down by a sense of gloom, each lost in their thoughts when his voice echoed softly from the doorway."I'm back," Gabriel said, his tone gentle but firm, as though those two words were enough to bring peace to the chaos that had lingered. Everyone's heads snapped up, eyes widening in disbelief. Camella was the first to react, tears spilling down her cheeks as she rushed toward him. "Gabriel! You're...you're here!" she choked out, wrapping her arms around him tightly. "Yes, I'm here," he whispered, holding her close. "I’m back, and everything is going to be alright." Soon, the others joined in, surrounding him, their faces a mix of relief, joy, and astonishment. Marie, his mother, was tearful as she cupped his face, studying him as if she couldn
Gabriel’s eyes remained steady as he faced Thelma. Her expression was tense, eyes flickering with a mix of urgency and despair. She had tried reasoning with him, threatening him, yet he stood firm, his gaze unwavering. “Gabriel, this is the last chance you’d get. Forever,” Thelma's voice trembled, but it was clear she meant every word.Gabriel let out a slow breath. “Let it be so. Please, go save your mother. She doesn’t deserve to die at my expense.”Thelma blinked as if she hadn’t expected such calmness. Her eyes, filled with confusion, fixed on him. “The life is ebbing from you,” she said, stepping closer. “And my mother… for her to be restored, she needs the magical ring you’re putting on.” Gabriel glanced down at the ring, a simple yet powerful artifact, now glinting in the dim light. He looked back up at her, his lips curling into a sad smile. Without a word, he slowly slid the ring off his finger and held it out to her. “You can use it to save her.”Thelma was stunned. “Are y
In the dimly lit hall of Noctura, Seraphina’s laughter echoed against the stone walls, her eyes gleaming with a sadistic delight. Gabriel stirred, groaning as he slowly regained consciousness. His eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the sight before him—Seraphina, standing there with a mocking grin, her shoulders shaking with laughter.“Why are you laughing?” he asked, his voice hoarse, barely masking his confusion. “Do I look amusing to you, lying here wrecked like this?”“Not really,” Seraphina replied, her lips curling. “Actually, I played a little trick earlier, and it seems to be working. I can hear the cries echoing all around. They’re devastated… those weak humans.”Gabriel frowned, trying to process her words. “What do you mean?”She stepped closer, her dark eyes glinting as she leaned down, speaking in a low, deliberate tone. “I gave you a claim mark,” she said, her fingers lightly brushing his arm. “It’s imprinted right there, on your skin.”Gabriel’s eyes widened as he looked
Gabriel was thrown back into his dark, cold cell, his body bruised and battered. The guards had shown no mercy, following Queen Seraphina's orders to the letter. They took turns flogging him, their harsh laughter echoing off the stone walls. He had barely any strength left, yet he forced himself to stay conscious, unwilling to give them the satisfaction of seeing him break. After the beatings, they chained him up, suspending his arms so he couldn’t lie down. The heavy chains cut into his wrists, but he bit down hard, swallowing his pain. As if that wasn’t enough, cold water was splashed on him, drenching him, making the chill seep deep into his bones. It was all part of the queen’s relentless torment. Meanwhile, Thelma watched from the shadows, her heart aching. Her mother’s cruelty had gone too far. But she had been powerless to stop it, her powers restricted under strict orders from Seraphina. She clenched her fists, unable to bear seeing Gabriel in this condition any longer. Gath
Thelma stood there, her gaze fixed on Gabriel, her eyes shimmering with a mixture of determination and longing. Gabriel, shackled and weary, looked up, confused. "Why are you here, Thelma?" he asked, his voice rough from exhaustion.Thelma hesitated for a moment, then spoke softly, "Why? Do I need a reason?""Yes," Gabriel replied, his eyes narrowing. "Answer that. I'm sure your queen won't want you to be here.""Yes, my mother would be furious," Thelma admitted, her voice barely a whisper. "But I don't care. I just care about you."Gabriel's expression softened, but he was still cautious. "What?""Yes," she said, her eyes shining. "I care about you and... I want you to marry me."Gabriel's eyes widened, disbelief written all over his face. "Marry you?"Thelma took a step closer, her gaze unflinching. "Yes. Marry me. I can help you." He stared at her silently, trying to read her intentions, but she continued, her voice pleading. "I promise you, Gabriel, if you marry me, I can vouch t
Zoe felt a chill run down her spine, and she struggled to find words. "I... I didn’t know," she said, barely able to process what Tamara was saying.Camella, though lost in her own world of grief, heard Tamara’s last words and turned, her eyes wide with horror. “What are you saying?” she whispered, her lips trembling. “Someone has to die... for him to wake up?”Tamara hesitated, seeing the fear in Camella's eyes. "I wish it wasn't true, but... yes. That’s how it works. It’s a cruel trade," she said softly, her own voice betraying her sadness.Camella felt the room spin for a moment, her heart pounding. She looked at Gabriel, her lips quivering as she whispered, “No... there has to be another way. There has to be.”Zoe moved closer to Tamara, her mind reeling from the revelation. “Is there really no other way?” she asked, almost pleading."I've searched, Zoe," Tamara said, shaking her head. "But the truth is, in his condition, if he wants to return, a life must be taken. It’s not someth
Gabriel stood there, his breath heavy, the dark silhouette of the creature looming over him. It was unlike anything he had ever seen—a twisted mix of shadows and fangs, with eyes that seemed to glint even in the darkness. His heart pounded as he gripped the hilt of an available sword tighter, the sweat from his palms making it slick. He knew he had to act fast, but the creature’s movements were unpredictable, darting around him, taunting him.“Come on,” he muttered to himself, trying to steady his breathing. “Just one opening… that’s all I need.”The creature lunged, and he sidestepped, narrowly avoiding its sharp claws. The air was thick, almost suffocating, and his muscles ached from the strain of dodging and countering. He swung his sword, managing to nick the creature’s side, but it only hissed, unfazed, and retreated into the shadows. The brief moment of reprieve was shattered when he heard the snorting and stomping behind him. Turning, he saw the massive bull charging toward him
More machines attacked, but Gabriel was relentless, his mind focused on one thing: survival. He fought with a ferocity he didn’t know he had, each blow more powerful than the last. For every machine that attacked, he countered with swift, brutal precision, his eyes glowing brighter with every strike.As he stood amidst the shattered remains of the machines, his chest heaving, he heard Seraphina’s voice echo through the realm. “Impressive, Gabriel. But this is only the beginning. You will break, and you will serve me… or you will die.”Gabriel looked around, wiping the sweat from his brow, his breath ragged but steady. “I’ll never be yours,” he shouted defiantly, his voice echoing through the dark, empty expanse of Noctura. “I will find a way out of this place, and I will destroy everything you throw at me.”Seraphina's laughter echoed, dark and mocking. “We shall see, Gabriel. We shall see.”As the darkness around him deepened, Gabriel steeled himself, knowing that this was only the b