Chapter 129 I Thank You on Behalf of Emily!
Arabella woke from her afternoon nap at four o'clock, immediately reaching for her phone to find several messages from Ella on Facebook.
[Not coming back to work this afternoon?]
[Zane quit! Out of nowhere—just announced his resignation!]
[You're not planning to leave too, are you?]
The messages jolted Arabella fully awake, her drowsiness vanishing instantly.
Zane had quit so suddenly? Was it because his hookup scandal had been exposed, making him too embarrassed to stay? Or was there another reason?
Calling Mary to watch the children, she stepped onto the terrace and dialed Ella's number.
"Finally! I was afraid to call you directly in case it wasn't convenient," Ella answered immediately.
Ever thoughtful, Ella had avoided calling because she knew about Arabella's troubled marriage and worried that discussing office drama might create problems if Gabriel was around.
"I was napping with the kids—I've been exhausted lately," Arabella replied briefly before asking about Zane's sudden departure.
"No clue. Nobody knows why, but with his position suddenly vacant, several people are already positioning themselves for it."
"By seniority, you'd have the best shot, wouldn't you?" Arabella observed.
"Please! Who wants that headache?" Ella's carefree personality shone through. With her own side businesses, she genuinely had no interest in management responsibilities.
Arabella didn't push the point.
Sensing her silence, Ella probed gently: "Are you planning to come back?"
"Tomorrow, probably... I need to move out soon, so I have to secure my income first."
Otherwise, she would have quit without hesitation. Even though staying would be uncomfortable now, she needed to swallow her pride and hang on—at least until she found another job.
"Move out?" Ella sounded surprised. "So you're really going through with the divorce?"
"Yes."
Hearing her firm resolve, Ella didn't argue.
"How's the apartment hunt going?"
"Still looking. My friend mentioned seeing another suitable place today—I'm meeting her later to check it out."
Ella paused thoughtfully. "If you're really in a rush and money's tight, I have an empty apartment you could use temporarily."
Arabella's previously flat expression suddenly brightened. "You have a spare place?"
"Of course—what's so surprising about that? I mentioned before that you could ask if you needed help. Since you hadn't brought it up, I assumed you'd found something."
"No... everything's been too expensive. I don't have that kind of money..."
Hearing the embarrassment in her voice, Ella grew curious. "Wouldn't you get a decent settlement in the divorce?"
"I don't want it. None of that belongs to me." This was one principle Arabella had never wavered on.
Even with William's inheritance as a safety net, she refused to touch it. Taking what wasn't rightfully hers would never sit well with her conscience.
"Well... that's very much like my personality, except I had better starting conditions. I'm not in as precarious a position as you."
Having known each other only briefly, Arabella wasn't yet aware that Ella was actually a trust fund kid from out of state.
"Think it over. Let me know if you need it. It's a pre-owned condo, fully furnished—you could move in immediately. I bought it intending to convert it into a studio space, but I haven't started yet. It's just sitting empty anyway."
Arabella felt a surge of hope. "Okay, I'll check out the place my friend already arranged first. If that doesn't work out, I'll definitely contact you."
"Sounds good."
After hanging up, Arabella went to check on the children, learning that Gabriel had gone out.
No doubt to the hospital to see Emily again.
She felt nothing—no anger, no hurt, just emptiness. After feeding the twins and seeing their improved condition—no vomiting today and only two normal bowel movements—she finally felt some relief.
She messaged Sophia on Facebook to arrange a meeting place, then quickly got ready to leave.
Unfortunately, just as she stepped outside the mansion, she encountered Gabriel returning home.
He was driving himself and, spotting the familiar figure, pulled over and rolled down his window, his eyes dark and intense. "It's nearly evening. Where are you going?"
Arabella was direct. "Meeting someone to look at an apartment."
Gabriel's mouth twisted into a contemptuous smirk. "What, can't stand to stay here even one more day?"
Arabella mirrored his mocking expression. "I'm just trying to clear out space for you and Emily. She's getting discharged soon, isn't she?"
Gabriel's fury reached a boiling point. Instead of offering any explanation, he smiled coldly and nodded. "Indeed. Emily sends her thanks."
Arabella shot him a withering look and walked away.
Gabriel watched her retreating figure in his rearview mirror, his knuckles white as he gripped the steering wheel until it creaked under the pressure.
---
"What do you think? I like this place—it's a renovated one-bedroom that's perfect for living alone. The monthly rent arrangement would really ease your financial pressure." Sophia finished showing her the apartment and asked for her opinion.
The realtor chimed in about what a steal the place was, emphasizing that good deals like this went fast.
Arabella was tempted, but as they stepped outside, she noticed a withered planter by the entrance overflowing with cigarette butts.
This meant her neighbor was a man—and a heavy smoker at that.
After her recent experiences with the worst aspects of male behavior at work, Arabella had developed a healthy wariness. The thought of living alone next to a potential creep made her hesitate.
Sophia also spotted the cigarette butts and immediately understood Arabella's concern.
"We'll think about it and get back to you," she told the realtor with a smile, then pulled Arabella toward the elevator.
Once downstairs, Arabella frowned. "I don't feel safe here."
"You're right. With your looks and figure, if the neighbor found out you were living alone, it could definitely be unsafe." Sophia completely understood, sighing before adding reassuringly, "Don't worry, we'll keep looking."
Arabella looked at her friend gratefully. "Actually, don't bother, Sophia. I have a coworker who mentioned having a vacant condo she could rent to me."
"Really? That's convenient." Sophia sounded cautious. "Just make sure you're not being taken advantage of."
"I won't be. She's a single mom—very capable and talented, with a great personality. I'll introduce you two when I get the chance."
Arabella felt the three of them could become close friends.
"Alright, and you've got backup support anyway, so you should be fine," Sophia said casually, speaking an uncomfortable truth.
Arabella's expression stiffened. She wanted to deny it but lacked the confidence.
After Gabriel's appearance at the company today, everyone knew who she really was.
She couldn't guarantee that Ella's kindness and help weren't subconsciously influenced by Gabriel's status and connections.
All human relationships ultimately came down to mutual value exchange.
Someone valued you when you offered something useful—sometimes your own abilities, sometimes your connections and resources. If you had neither and they still wanted to associate with you, they were probably drawn to your emotional value.