Chapter 20

Tonight's party became dull and boring because of Gabriel's confession.

"No wonder you never even glance at anyone else—turns out you've had your eye on Christina all along," Elton teased.

Juno Armstrong and Freya Stewart, who had been quiet the whole time, opened their mouths but said nothing. They could be harsh with their words, and they didn't want Gabriel to develop any negative feelings toward Christina because of what they might say.

But Chloe, fearless as ever, dragged Austin into the conversation again.

"But Chloe, everyone already knows that Christina had a boyfriend when she was in Harborview City. Your engagement has been public knowledge for three years. How does this make her look? Everyone will think she cheated on Austin while having a fiancé."

Her choice of words annoyed Gabriel. He shot her a sharp look, and Chloe shut her mouth.

"You shouldn't use words like that to describe her."

Chloe choked on her words.

Gabriel snorted coldly. "As for what's between us, I'd like to see who dares to gossip about me."

Chloe's heart raced. She loved it when Gabriel acted this dominant.

But she quickly thought of something. Sure enough, when she checked her phone again, that post from earlier had vanished without a trace.

Right, how could she forget—this was the Stone family's influence.

Everyone at the party was shocked by Gabriel's confession. Except for Chloe stirring up trouble, the others quietly drank their wine, chatting occasionally. The evening passed quietly.

At Harborview City.

The Lewis Villa.

Austin couldn't sleep. He'd asked people to look into Christina's situation but still hadn't gotten any information.

Scrolling through his phone aimlessly, he lingered on a photo of himself and Christina.

Then a news alert popped up.

He'd been torn between Christina and Mary, which made him feel guilty toward Christina.

He could understand Christina throwing tantrums, even getting a fiancé.

He could understand because he believed that once he found Christina and apologized, said some nice things, she would come back to him.

But no one told him that Christina was the daughter of the White family from Aurora City.

Staring at the news description about Christina, Austin couldn't believe she was the White family's daughter.

And she'd had an engagement with Gabriel for three years.

So what did that make him?

Austin laughed bitterly.

Just as he was about to scroll down to read more, the text disappeared and the screen went blank, it only shows a loading circle.

It had been deleted.

By who?

Was it Gabriel?

No, it can't be him.

Christina had betrayed him—he wouldn't be kind enough to delete the news.

So it must have been Christina.

If she was part of the White family, this wouldn't be a hard thing to do—it would actually be quite simple.

Thinking back to how he'd said Christina wasn't good enough for him, couldn't enter the Lewis family's door, and that he couldn't give her marriage.

Austin rubbed his forehead.

Delta's sandwiches weren't good. He wanted the oatmeal porridge Christina used to make for him.

There was movement upstairs—Mary.

Austin pressed his lips together.

Nobody's perfect. Mary had her good points too.

He'd just finished consoling himself when Mary came down the stairs in slippers, her footsteps steady and slow. "Austin, I need to go out to find inspiration for my designs. Do you want to come with me and relax?"

"Where are you going"

"Harmony Springs."

"I've been wanting to rest lately anyway. Just Harmony Springs would be too boring—let's visit a few places. I actually have a project to discuss in Aurora City. We can go to Aurora City first, and after the meeting we can look around the city, then go to Harmony Springs, and other places after that. You can plan it."

"Sounds great." Mary didn't suspect anything—she didn't know Christina had returned to Aurora City yet.

...

Gabriel was drunk.

The whole time, he'd been holding Christina's hand, afraid she'd run away, and afraid his overwhelming feelings would scare her.

Until he got drunk and fell asleep leaning on Christina's shoulder, she still didn't understand why he'd gotten himself drunk tonight.

She remembered Gabriel didn't like getting drunk—he always had control.

In his words, being drunk meant losing control, and he hated that feeling of being out of control.

With Asher's help, Christina and he supported Gabriel on either side and got him into the car.

"Maybe I should drive you guys home before heading back," Asher said, worried as he saw Gabriel could barely stand.

Christina politely declined. "Asher, don't worry, it's fine. There are people at home who can help."

After watching Asher leave, Christina finally had time to rest.

Gabriel was so heavy - getting him into the car nearly killed her.

She felt like some kind of heat source—Gabriel kept pressing against her after getting in the car.

Christina felt uncomfortable.

Gabriel had been interested in her for a long time, and now drunk and dizzy, he was leaning on her. Christina just felt embarrassed.

Gabriel rested his head on her shoulder, breathing in her scent as he slept peacefully.

Christina turned her head slightly and could see Gabriel's flawless handsome face.

"Was I the only fool who kept thinking of you as a brother?" Christina murmured, her eyes falling on Gabriel's long, thick lashes. She couldn't help but reach out to touch them.

The next second, her wrist was grabbed and Gabriel opened his eyes.

"Look at me, Christina." Gabriel's tone carried a hint of playfulness and dominance, he guided Christina to bend lower, bringing her nearer.

They were very close - so close Christina could feel Gabriel's breath.

She suddenly pulled back, hitting her head on the seat.

"It's because he's too good-looking! Not my fault, and besides, he's my fiancé now," Christina reminded herself.

Still, she turned her head away, not daring to look at Gabriel.

She needed time. She needed to calm down.

"Kiss me, Christina. You want to kiss me, don't you?"

Christina was tempted.

Tempted or not, this was her fiancé—couldn't she kiss him?

Christina slowly leaned in.

...

"Why am I dreaming about this scene again!"

Christina sat up abruptly, her hair falling messily behind her, the dark circles under her eyes proof that she hadn't slept well these past few days.

That night, she had been the one to lean in first.

Later, Gabriel took control, commanding her breathing, heartbeat, and emotions.

Then, when she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body toward him, he held her back and pushed her away.

Was she not attractive enough, or did Gabriel have some reservations?

Christina couldn't figure it out no matter how hard she tried, and she hadn't slept well for five days now.

And during these five days, Austin had become like a different person, constantly calling her.

Right now, her phone on the pillow was ringing again.

Though it was an unknown number, Christina knew without thinking it was Austin.

Annoyed, she answered and shouted, "Austin, will you ever stop?"

"I won't stop! Christina, tell me—was I really the third party?"