The antique dealer's eyes gleamed with anticipation as he noticed Gabriel's reluctance. Sensing an opportunity, he leaned in closer and made a tempting offer. "I understand if you're attached to it, but I assure you, I can offer you a substantial sum of money for this antique," the dealer said persuasively, his tone laced with confidence. Gabriel's gaze flickered between the antique, the dealer, and Camella, weighing his options carefully. The promise of a significant sum of money was enticing, but he couldn't shake the feeling of attachment to the antique. He liked the antique and would have loved to keep it to himself if not that Camella had brought him to pick a gift for her father whom he wasn't on good terms with. Camella's expression mirrored Gabriel's internal conflict, torn between the allure of financial gain and the need to get the antique. She bit her lip anxiously, waiting for Gabriel's decision. After a moment of contemplation, Gabriel finally spoke, his voice tinged
The shop owner's regret was palpable as he realized the true value of the item. He hesitated, his fingers trembling as he clutched the antique tightly. "I... I'm sorry," he stammered, his voice filled with remorse. "I can't sell it to you."Gabriel's brow furrowed in confusion. "But we agreed on a price," he protested, his tone tinged with disappointment.The shop owner shook his head, his eyes downcast. "I can't let it go," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "Not when I know what it's truly worth."Camella's heart sank as she watched the scene unfold. "What are you going to do with it then?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.The shop owner hesitated before casting a wary glance at the antique dealer, who still lingered nearby. "I have... other plans," he admitted cryptically, his gaze flickering with uncertainty.The antique dealer's eyes gleamed with anticipation as he overheard the conversation, a sly grin spreading across his face. "I'd be happy to take it off
Gabriel glanced at Camella, a silent plea in his eyes. "Please, Camella," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the pounding of his heart. "Trust me."Camella hesitated for a moment, torn between her instinct to protect her husband and her fear of what the shop owner might do.Sighing with reluctance, Gabriel motioned toward their daughter, Jessie, who stood nearby, her innocent eyes wide with concern. "We've got Jessie here. You need to leave with her now."Finally, Camella nodded reluctantly, her heart heavy with worry. She had no choice but to leave with their daughter first. "Okay," she conceded, her voice barely above a whisper.She took Jessie's hand and, with a heavy heart, Camella turned and hurried out of the shop, casting one last worried glance over her shoulder at Gabriel before disappearing into the crowded street outside. Gabriel watched her go, his heart aching with the knowledge that he had sent her away to protect her. Turning back to face the shop owner, he squ
The antique dealer who was a formidable figure in the world of antiques, observed the interaction between Gabriel and the shop owner with keen interest. His eyes narrowed as he detected a hint of pride in Gabriel's demeanor and a smirk formed on his lips."Well, well, well, what do we have here?" the antique dealer remarked, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he stepped forward from the shadows. "Seems like we have a brave one among us."Gabriel turned to face the newcomer, his expression guarded. "And who might you be?" he inquired, his tone cool and collected.The antique dealer chuckled, the sound echoing in the dimly lit room. "Just a humble purveyor of antiquities," he replied, his tone laced with amusement. "But I must say, I'm quite intrigued by your little display of bravado."Gabriel raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "And what's your interest in all of this?" he asked, his gaze steady.The antique dealer's smirk widened a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Oh, nothing muc
Gabriel's eyes narrowed as he recounted the shop owner's threat, his voice low and dangerous. "He threatened to chop off my arm and send it as a gift to my wife," he stated, his words heavy with contempt.Don Makul and his men exchanged glances, their expressions darkening with anger. The shop owner stammered in denial, but his feeble protests only fueled their fury."How dare you accuse Boss Gabriel of lying!" Don Makul thundered, his voice echoing through the dimly lit alleyway.With a swift motion, Don Makul delivered a resounding slap across the shop owner's face, the sound echoing in the stillness of the day. The shop owner staggered back, his cheek stinging with pain as he realized the gravity of his mistake.Sensing the situation spiraling out of control, the antique dealer made a desperate attempt to escape. But before he could take a single step, he found himself seized by Don Makul's men, their vice-like grip rendering him immobile.Trembling with fear, the shop owner fell t
Running late, Gabriel boarded a cab to the McConnell House. As he stepped out of the cab some moments later, he spotted Camella and Jessie waiting for him at the corner, their faces brightening as they caught sight of him. With a smile spreading across his face, he hurried over to them, opening his arms wide to receive the warm embrace his daughter offered."Hey, Daddy's home!" Jessie exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she wrapped her arms around him tightly.Gabriel chuckled, ruffling her hair affectionately. "Hey there, princess. Did you miss me?""Of course, Daddy!" Jessie replied, pulling back to look up at him with a grin. "Though Mommy said you were coming to the banquet too. Why didn't you come with us back then?"Gabriel glanced at Camella, his expression briefly clouding with concern before he replied, "Oh, you know, just some last-minute work stuff I had to take care of. I had to deal with some bad guys. But I'm here now, aren't I?"Jessie nodded enthusiastical
Gabriel's expression darkened momentarily, a pang of hurt piercing through him as he realized his gift had been disregarded. He forced a tight-lipped smile, swallowing his pride as he nodded in acknowledgment of Nora's words.Noticing her grandmother's displeased look at her father, Jessie said, “Grandma, my papa's gift is one in a million.”Jessie's straightforward declaration caught Nora off guard, her eyebrows lifting in surprise as she looked at her granddaughter. "Is that so, Jessie?" Nora asked, her tone softening as she regarded the young girl.“Yes, Grandma. Papa's gift is really special," Jessie insisted, her eyes shining with sincerity.Meanwhile, Fredrick, sensing the shift in attention, attempted to divert it back to himself by showcasing his gift to Jessie. However, Jessie's unwavering loyalty to her father remained evident as she politely declined Fredrick's offer. "No, thank you, Uncle Fredrick," Jessie replied, her eyes gleaming with pride. "But my daddy's gift is the
Nora's curiosity peaked as she turned her attention to Fredrick, eager to learn more about his involvement in assisting Carissa."So, how did you manage to pull it off, Fredrick?" Nora inquired, her tone laced with curiosity.Fredrick flashed a confident smile as he replied, "It was all thanks to my father. He has some connections in the right places."Aliyah nodded in agreement, her expression filled with conviction. "I knew it had to be something like that," she remarked, her confidence in Fredrick unwavering.Nora then turned to Gabriel, expecting him to express gratitude to Fredrick for his supposed assistance. However, Gabriel's expression remained neutral, a hint of skepticism in his eyes.Camella offered her gratitude to Fredrick with a polite smile, her words sincere despite the nagging doubt in her mind. "Thank you once again, Fredrick," she said politely, her voice carrying the weight of obligation.Gabriel, however, remained silent for a moment, his expression guarded as he