Chapter 283 Mr. Sterling Visits the Set

Chapter 283 Mr. Sterling Visits the Set

When Arabella returned to work at the studio, the handprint on her face hadn't completely faded, and her injured ear occasionally rang with tinnitus—her hearing still hadn't fully recovered.

Sophia felt terribly guilty and took care of her with devotion, bringing her tea and water, ordering meals, and fetching documents.

Eventually, Arabella felt embarrassed by all the attention.

The video account's performance remained lukewarm. After Arabella's return, Ella still had her continue filming short videos, hoping her comeback would spark a different response.

Fortunately, with makeup and beauty filters, the handprint on her face could be perfectly concealed, so Arabella resumed her role as the star of their short videos.

Once she got busy, she lost track of time. It wasn't until Crystal reminded her that her phone had been ringing in the office for ages that she finally ended her work discussion with Mark and returned to her office for water.

Picking up her phone, she saw three missed calls—all from Gabriel.

Looking at the time, she was shocked to find it was already six o'clock.

Worried something might be wrong with Isabella again, she hesitated briefly before calling back.

Gabriel erupted the instant he answered, "Is your phone just for decoration? I called several times and you didn't pick up! Or did you deliberately ignore my calls?"

Arabella frowned, pressing her lips together. She waited for him to finish before offering a weak explanation, "I've been with Isabella these past few days, so I put my phone on vibrate and forgot to switch it back."

Gabriel was too angry to respond.

She asked cautiously, "What's wrong? Is Isabella sick again?"

"No. I'm off work. I'm coming to pick you up," Gabriel snapped.

"Pick me up?" Arabella's expression turned troubled. "Um... that's not necessary. I'm not finished here yet."

Truth was, she didn't want to return to Parkside Estate today.

Her plan was to work late, then take the subway home to her own place.

She hadn't been back in days—clothes were still hanging on the balcony, and the apartment needed tidying.

But Gabriel gave her no room to refuse, "I'll be there in fifteen minutes."

He hung up before she could reply.

Arabella stared at her phone, fuming.

What kind of person was this!

Always doing whatever he pleased, never caring whether others agreed—didn't he understand the concept of respect?

Mark knocked and entered. "Arabella, I re-edited it. Does this version work?"

Arabella set down her phone and took the tablet.

Mark stood beside her, his gaze fixed on Arabella's exquisite profile.

When Gabriel arrived at the small office area, he spotted the scene through the glass wall—his woman being gazed at adoringly by another man, looking like something out of a romance drama.

Fury surged through him instantly!

No wonder she wanted to stay late at the office instead of going home—she was here flirting with young men!

Though her taste was terrible. This kid radiated an alternative, frivolous air. What did he know about love?

Gabriel didn't stop to consider that he himself hadn't quite figured out what love meant either.

Sophia grabbed her bag and stood, preparing to leave for the day. Looking up, she spotted the man standing silently in the cubicle corridor and jumped in fright.

After a stunned moment, she recovered and hurried toward Arabella's office, knocking on the door. "Arabella, look who's here!"

"Who?" Arabella asked reflexively. The moment she looked up, her gaze traveled past the doorway to the approaching figure, and she immediately rose.

Mark had been standing slightly behind her, bending forward to hear her notes on video edits.

As she stood, Mark had to step back. Seeing the man entering from outside, he felt inexplicably guilty and retreated another two feet, accidentally backing into the file cabinet against the wall.

His furtive behavior only deepened Gabriel's displeasure.

Arabella whirled around at the sound of Mark hitting the cabinet, then turned to face Gabriel, her delicate brows furrowing with irritation. "Why did you come up?"

Gabriel countered, "Am I not allowed?"

"No, I just—" Arabella wanted to explain, but seeing Mark and Sophia's curious expressions, she stopped herself. She handed the tablet to Mark instead. "Just adjust it according to what I said and send it to me."

"Will do, Arabella." Mark took the tablet and quickly left.

As he passed Gabriel, the man's razor-sharp gaze stabbed into him like a knife.

Sophia sensed the tense atmosphere and said softly to her friend, "Well... I'm heading out. You two take your time."

She fled like a rabbit.

The office was suddenly empty except for the two of them.

Arabella sat back down, her eyes returning to the computer screen as she continued proofreading her novel manuscript.

Gabriel didn't rush into her small office. Instead, he surveyed the modest workspace, a trace of disdain flickering across his handsome features before he finally sauntered in and pulled out the chair across from her.

"You seem to be enjoying playing boss, though the place is a bit cramped," he commented once settled.

Arabella couldn't be bothered to engage. Without looking up, she said, "Mr. Sterling, since the space is too small to accommodate you properly, don't let me keep you."

Gabriel smiled, straightening in his seat. He clasped his hands together on the desk and watched her work, explaining gently, "I wasn't mocking you. I actually admire what you've done—going from nothing to carving out your own territory. I'm genuinely impressed."

Arabella said nothing, but her eyes flicked toward him, clearly surprised by the comment.

Gabriel added, "Really. I mean it."

She believed his sincerity. After a moment's consideration, she spoke honestly, "Ella only took a chance on me—someone with nothing—and chose to partner with me probably because I'm your ex-wife."

Of course, there was also her close friendship with Manuel.

But she didn't dare mention that, or this man would get jealous again and make trouble over nothing.

"So, I owe my current situation to you. Thank you," Arabella said seriously, her gaze lingering on his face for a few seconds before returning to the screen.

Gabriel stared at her, momentarily dazed.

He'd completely forgotten he'd come here to confront her about flirting with the young man.

After a long silence, he suddenly smiled inexplicably. "Your humility... makes you feel like a stranger."

"It's not humility—it's fact," Arabella continued quietly, eyes on the screen. "Relationships between people ultimately come down to mutual exchange of value. If you're truly worthless and penniless, why would anyone choose you? I'm not narcissistic enough to think I'm somehow special."

"Fair point." Gabriel nodded, pleased by her evolved perspective.

She'd certainly matured since leaving him, seeing things more clearly than before.

"So you left me because I had no value left to use?" Gabriel seized on the key point in her words, asking with genuine curiosity.