“To her, you ruined her love and blocked her future.
“She’s got nothing, so of course she’d gamble it all.”
Gabrielle’s heart sank. She had underestimated Cecilia’s madness and despair.
“But… my plan…”
་་
She suddenly remembered that she was about to “die.” Would Cecilia’s revenge even matter then?
“Your plan? You mean your faked death?”
Zachary glanced at her.
“Think about it. What do you think she’ll do after your ‘death“?”
Gabrielle froze.
Cecilia wanted to destroy her. What if she thought she had succeeded?
Would she then target Gabrielle’s parents?
Would she fabricate lies to keep slandering her name even after her “death“?
Would her family still be shamed, long after she was gone?
The thought sent a chill through Gabrielle’s entire body.
“Actually,” Zachary said suddenly, with a sly tone.
0.00%
三
о
12.52
Chapter 13
288 Vouchers
“This might be an opportunity.”
Gabrielle looked at him, confused.
“We could toss this bucket of filth back at Cecilia.”
He tapped the steering wheel lightly.
“Create some ‘evidence‘ pointing to her as the mastermind.
“Make it look like you were murdered by Cecilia Palmer.”
Gabrielle’s breath hitched.
The plan sounded flawless.
Cecilia had both motive and suspicion on her.
As long as Zachary executed it well, it could be airtight.
That way, after Gabrielle’s “death“, Cecilia would be a public enemy.
Even if Timothy still loved her, the Goldsteins would never accept a murderer.
And Gabrielle’s parents wouldn’t have to endure shame after her death.
It felt like the perfect ending.
But…
“No.”
Gabrielle refused almost instantly.
Her voice wasn’t loud, but it was unwavering.
Zachary didn’t look surprised. He just raised an eyebrow.
22.97%
72.53
Chapter 13
288 Vouchers
“Why not? It’s in your best interest.”
“She’s crazy, but she doesn’t deserve to die for it. And certainly not to bear a crime she didn’t commit.”
Gabrielle looked out at the night racing past the window, her eyes conflicted.
“I chose to fake my death to escape, not for revenge.
“If I drag an innocent person into this, what does that make me?”
She hated Timothy’s betrayal. She hated how her family controlled her. She hated Cecilia’s madness.
But she had her own principles.
She couldn’t destroy another life just to win back her own.
Zachary was silent for a few seconds and then chuckled softly.
“Gabrielle Cobbett… you really are something.”
His smile lost its usual carelessness, replaced by something deeper and harder to define.
“All right. Your call. The heiress with a heart of gold.”
He didn’t mention framing Cecilia again.
“But the wedding day… there’ll be more uncertainty.
“With Cecilia in this state, who knows what she’ll do?
“Are you sure you still want to carry out the plan then?”
His tone grew serious.
12:530
Chapter 13
Faking a death in public was already incredibly risky.
Now, with an unstable wildcard in play, the danger was even greater.
“I’m sure.”
Gabrielle didn’t hesitate.
“Only on that day, in front of everyone–if I ‘die‘ then…
“Only then will everyone truly believe I’m gone.
“Only then can I cut all ties with this place.”
It was her resolution.
She wanted to be reborn on the day meant to symbolize shackles and lies.
Zachary gave her a long look and then stopped trying to persuade her.
“Fine. I’ll revise the details to ensure nothing goes wrong.
“For the next few days, you’d better not go out alone.
“I’ll arrange for people to watch over you in secret.”
Gabrielle nodded, feeling a flicker of gratitude toward him.
He always seemed so flippant, yet he was turning out to be far more dependable than she had imagined.
The Cullinan pulled up at the entrance of her villa.
12:53
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.