Chapter 287 I’ll Bring the Children to Keep You Company

Chapter 287 I’ll Bring the Children to Keep You Company

"Who else but you would pull such a petty stunt?" Arabella saw right through him, her anger rising. "You knew perfectly well our studio is in its critical early stages. We finally got a photographer who'd meshed with the team, and you use such underhanded tactics to poach him! All because you thought he had feelings for me?"

Since his cover was blown, Gabriel dropped the act. He rubbed his nose bridge and stated bluntly, "Anyone who can be easily poached clearly wasn't on the same path as you to begin with. Good riddance. I'll introduce you to a more professional photographer tomorrow."

"Stay out of my work!" Arabella rejected his offer coldly, turning away and ignoring him.

After a moment, noticing the car wasn't heading home, Arabella grew restless again. She frowned at him. "I really do have things to handle tonight. I can't go to Parkside Estate with you."

Seeing her resistance, Gabriel's expression darkened briefly before he recovered. "Then I'll bring them along to keep you company."

"What's the point? Between the two of us watching the kids, neither of us will get any rest all night."

"Don't worry, I'll get up with them during the night. You can keep sleeping." Clearly Gabriel was determined to have his way tonight.

Arabella stared at him, displeased and helpless.

Her silence was consent—Gabriel instructed the driver to change course to Ocean Heights.

At the apartment building, Gabriel had Mary bring up all the baby supplies, then dismissed everyone.

The family of four entered the apartment. Arabella was still unhappy.

It wasn't that she didn't want to spend time with the children—her workload was genuinely pressing. The publisher was waiting for her revisions. At this rate, when would the book ever be published?

Gabriel clearly sensed her displeasure and volunteered eagerly, "I'll take care of them. You go work."

"Take care of what? Look at the time—they need to sleep!" Arabella shot him a look and picked up Isabella, heading to the bathroom.

Gabriel frowned, grabbed his son, and followed, suggesting loudly, "Should I have Mary come back? She can bathe them and get them ready before leaving?"

Arabella didn't bother responding.

He really had the nerve to suggest that—making people run around for no reason!

Though Gabriel was a competent father, he still lacked expertise in managing infants' daily needs.

After Arabella got both children cleaned and settled, her back was killing her.

Gabriel went to prepare formula. When he hurried back with the bottles, he caught sight of the woman standing by the bed, one hand rubbing her lower back.

His gaze darkened. He stepped forward, handed the bottle to his son, then rose and asked gently, "Back pain?"

Arabella ignored him completely, acting as if he didn't exist.

Isabella began fussing before sleep, waving her little arms and legs restlessly.

Arabella figured it was feeding time anyway, so she carried Isabella to an armchair on the far side of the bed and unbuttoned her top to nurse.

Gabriel was used to her stubborn coldness by now. Rather than getting angry at being ignored, he considerately grabbed a pillow from the bed.

Arabella startled when he suddenly tucked it behind her back. She turned to see what he was doing, surprise flickering in her eyes, then murmured softly, "Thank you..."

He smiled faintly. "I thought you weren't going to speak to me all evening."

She lowered her lashes, once again not responding.

It wasn't that she was playing hard to get—the man was simply too shameless.

Ignore him, and he'd still shamelessly persist. Engage with him, and he'd immediately push for more, endlessly.

She hoped the children would fall asleep quickly so she could get to work. The only way was to give him the cold shoulder so he'd take the hint and stop pestering her.

The room fell quiet. Soon Henry finished his bottle and drifted off to sleep.

Isabella's rosy little mouth gradually stopped nursing, her chubby hand slowly sliding from her mother's clothing.

Both children were asleep...

Arabella rose, carefully carrying Isabella to the bed and gently laying her down.

But离开 her mother's embrace, Isabella's lip quivered as she began to wake. Arabella immediately bent over to pat her soothingly.

The next second, a man's low, gentle voice sounded beside her. "I'll settle her. You go rest."

His large, powerful hand patted the baby's small body gently and patiently. Gradually, the little one fell back asleep.

Arabella stood by the bed, watching him soothe the child with such skill, surprised once again.

"See? I told you we could handle this together." Gabriel turned back, smugly showing off.

Arabella rolled her eyes wordlessly. "If you're still this smug tomorrow morning, then you'll have really handled it."

"I definitely will be." Gabriel was confident, his gaze sweeping over her. "Go work. I'll stay with them."

Arabella looked thoughtful, her mouth moving as if to say something, but ultimately remaining silent.

With the children sleeping in the master bedroom, if he stayed to watch them, he'd obviously be spending the night in there too.

But if she didn't let him stay, she couldn't focus on work—the babies would fuss periodically and she'd have to keep coming in to soothe them.

After brief hesitation, she realized he was going to stay the night regardless, so why be difficult about it? She turned and left.

She'd just opened her laptop when her phone rang.

Seeing it was Ella calling—probably about work—she immediately answered in a low voice. "Hello, Ella..."

"Arabella, you haven't checked the comments on the video account, have you?" Ella asked without preamble.

Arabella's eyes sharpened, sensing trouble. "What? Were we reported again?"

"No... someone commented saying you look just like her daughter who's been missing for years. She replied to tons of people in the comments, asking everyone to help push the post up so you'd see it."

A ringing filled her ears. Arabella felt a wave of dread.

Clearly what she'd been worried about all along had finally happened.

She lowered her phone and immediately opened the video account. Sure enough, she easily found the post.

The poster's profile picture was a professional headshot—unmistakably a career woman's style, looking quite young, her true age indiscernible.

The post read: The girl in the video looks so much like my daughter who's been missing for years. My daughter's name is also Arabella. I've searched for her so hard all these years. She's my only child. I desperately want to reunite with her.

The post had over a thousand likes and had been pushed to the top of the comment section.

Her phone slipped from her hands. She lowered her head, covering her face with both hands, her heart feeling crushed by something heavy, her insides in turmoil.

Jade...

That name flashed through her mind like an invisible hand tearing open childhood wounds, exposing bloody past traumas.

She'd just mentioned this to Manuel over dinner, and barely two hours later, that woman had broken into her world in such an uncanny way.

With internet users' research capabilities these days, helpful people would soon dig up the studio's address and probably post it online.

Meaning Jade could show up in front of her at any moment.

What should I do...

Arabella covered her face, breathing deeply, struggling to steady her emotions.

Suddenly, a man's low, concerned voice broke the silence. "What's wrong?"