Chapter 59 My Wife Isn't Even Worried—Why Are You?
Arabella went to her interview full of hope, only to discover upon arriving at the company that over a dozen other candidates were competing for just two positions in the department.
Gabriel's words echoed in her ears, and thinking about her complete lack of work experience, she immediately felt deflated.
Sure enough, the HR representative's first question was about what she'd been doing during the two-plus years since graduation without employment.
Believing in honesty, she told the truth, "I got married and had children right after graduation. Now that the kids are older, I want to return to work."
The HR representative looked shocked, "You've already had children?"
"Yes."
"Are you planning to have more children anytime soon?"
Arabella continued with her honest approach, "I've had two children, so I probably won't be having any more in this lifetime."
After she finished speaking, she noticed the interviewers exchanging glances and nodding to each other.
Her spirits lifted—she suddenly realized that having married and had children early had actually worked in her favor by eliminating the company's concerns about maternity leave.
When the interview ended, the HR representative said they'd be in touch. She thanked them politely and left.
Just as she was preparing to visit more real estate agents to look at apartments, an unknown number called.
"Hello, Ms. Wentworth. This is the Human Resources department at Oceanfront Realty. Congratulations—you've been hired! When would you be able to start?"
Standing under the clear autumn sky and hearing this wonderful news, Arabella suddenly felt the sky was bluer and the breeze fresher.
The news came so suddenly that she could hardly believe it. After a moment of excitement, she finally managed to respond.
Since her divorce situation wasn't settled yet, she worried about missing work, so she pushed back her start date by a few days.
The other party was accommodating. Though they seemed disappointed when she said she'd start next week, they ultimately agreed.
After hanging up, Arabella clutched her phone and happily stomped her feet in place.
Just as she was looking for someone to share this joy with, her phone rang again—it was Sophia.
"Hi, Sophia! I have great news—I found a job! I can start next week!"
Sophia sounded surprised. "Really? That fast? Congratulations!"
"Yes, I'm so surprised too! Gabriel said no company would hire someone like me with zero work experience, but I succeeded on my first interview!"
At the mention of Gabriel's name, Sophia suddenly went quiet.
After Arabella's excitement faded, she noticed something was wrong with Sophia and asked, "By the way, what were you calling about?"
Sophia said gravely, "Zachary's law firm has been under attack lately. He had someone investigate, and we just got word. Guess who's behind it?"
The joy on Arabella's face froze. Combined with Sophia's tone and remembering Gabriel's threats this morning, she was suddenly shocked!
"Could it be... Gabriel?"
"Exactly! The Bar Association president asked us if we'd offended the Sterling family. Thinking about our connections to the Sterlings, the only possibility is your husband. You said he won't agree to divorce—could it be that he knows you consulted Zachary about divorce and is retaliating against him?"
Sophia's thinking was simple—she assumed this was the only reason.
But Arabella knew the real inside story.
During her hesitation, Sophia said reluctantly, "Arabella, I know you're having a hard time right now, and I understand your determination to get divorced, but I'm not working currently and depend entirely on Zachary to support the family. If the law firm closes and he gets blacklisted too, then our family..."
"Sophia, don't say anymore—I understand everything." Seeing Sophia's anxiety and pleading tone, Arabella quickly interrupted. After some hesitation, she decided to tell the truth, "I suspect Gabriel isn't targeting Zachary because you consulted him about divorce..."
Sophia was confused, "Then why?"
"It's just that..." Arabella stammered, finding it hard to say, "He somehow got the wrong idea and thinks I want a divorce because I'm having an affair. He thinks the man I'm cheating with is Zachary, so that's why he's targeting him."
"What?" Sophia was stunned. "How is that possible? As the CEO of the Sterling Group, ten Zacharys combined couldn't compare to him! How did he get such an idea?"
This was something Arabella couldn't understand either.
"Sophia, don't worry. I'll go talk to him right away and clear this up. Please apologize to Zachary for me—I'm so sorry about this."
After hanging up, Arabella stood under the bright sun, caught between difficult choices, and her good mood completely evaporated.
She'd been out for several hours without nursing, and her chest felt ready to burst. The physical discomfort, combined with guilt toward her friend, made her mood even worse.
The urgent priority was to call Gabriel and explain the situation over the phone, getting him to stop targeting Zachary and his law firm.
She rarely took the initiative to call him. She hesitated for a long time, clutching her phone, before finally gathering the courage to dial his number.
However, it wasn't Gabriel who answered.
"Mrs. Sterling, this is Evelyn. Mr. Sterling is still in a client meeting. If you have a message, I can pass it along later."
Arabella knew Evelyn.
When she was pregnant and needed prenatal checkups, some tests required Gabriel's participation. When Gabriel came to the hospital, this capable and sharp female secretary accompanied him.
Evelyn was wonderful—seeing that Arabella's twin pregnancy made her belly enormous, she carefully helped and supported her during examinations, showing genuine concern.
Gabriel, on the other hand, despite holding the title of husband, remained as cold as a stranger.
Feeling grateful toward Evelyn, Arabella spoke extra gently, "Evelyn, I do have an urgent matter to discuss with him. How much longer do you think the meeting will last?"
"Well... probably about half an hour. Don't worry, Mrs. Sterling—as soon as the meeting ends, I'll have Mr. Sterling call you back immediately."
"Alright, thank you."
Half an hour later, Gabriel's meeting did indeed conclude.
Both parties were pleased with their discussion and decided to continue lunch together to fine-tune their collaboration terms.
Seeing her boss emerge, Evelyn quickly hurried forward, "Mr. Sterling, your phone. Mrs. Sterling called earlier, saying she had an urgent matter to discuss with you."
Gabriel, surrounded by a group of people walking toward the elevator, took his phone with slightly raised eyebrows, "Did she say what it was about?"
"No, just that it was urgent."
Gabriel said nothing more and didn't slow his pace.
Seeing him pocket his phone without any intention of returning Arabella's call, Evelyn wanted to persuade him further but feared triggering his temper. She could only grab Ralph and whisper, "You must remind Mr. Sterling to call back soon—Mrs. Sterling is waiting."
"Alright, I'll find an opportunity to mention it." Ralph nodded and quickly caught up with the group.
On the way to the restaurant, Ralph sat in the passenger seat, remembering Evelyn's request. He looked back several times but hesitated to speak.
Only when they got out of the car did he quickly catch up to his boss and whisper, "Mr. Sterling, Evelyn said your wife has an urgent matter to discuss and asked you to definitely remember to call her back."
Gabriel glanced at him, "My wife isn't even worried—why are you?"
Ralph immediately fell silent.
At the restaurant, Gabriel was busy networking and either forgot about the matter entirely—or perhaps didn't forget but deliberately chose not to return the call.
As a result, Arabella, who had eaten lunch at home and still hadn't received Gabriel's return call, got another call from Sophia.
Feeling extremely guilty, she comforted Sophia before calling Gabriel again.