Chapter 139 The Rival in Love, Divine Assistant
Samuel, ever vigilant about protecting his boss's interests, immediately panicked at the thought of the ex-girlfriend and current wife plotting together. He quickly snuck away to call Gabriel.
Meanwhile, Emily swept into the house just as Arabella was descending the staircase.
Their eyes met, and Emily immediately put on airs, "Some people really have it made, don't they?"
Arabella, knowing Emily was here to help her, couldn't be bothered to take the bait.
When they drew closer, Arabella gave her a questioning look, but Emily merely glanced at her dismissively and whispered, "What's the rush... I keep my word."
Before Arabella could process this, another car engine echoed from the courtyard.
Looking up, she saw Joanna arriving!
Her brow furrowed, thinking today's plan was doomed to fail, but Emily said, "Don't worry, we're all here to break you two up."
Arabella pressed her lips together, speechless.
Sure enough, Joanna marched in and got straight to the point, "What are you standing around for? Get in the car! Where are the children? Bring them along—their grandfather has been asking about them forever, and Gabriel never thinks to bring them for a visit! Such an ungrateful son!"
Only then did Arabella realize—Emily had called Joanna to help spirit her away!
Well, well. She'd always thought Emily was an idiot, but apparently the woman knew how to be thorough when it mattered.
Emily truly wasn't stupid.
After receiving Arabella's call yesterday, she'd immediately contacted Joanna.
No one could afford to truly anger Gabriel, but with Joanna involved, she had a get-out-of-jail-free card.
No matter how furious Gabriel got, what could he do to his own mother?
Joanna's commanding presence left everyone in the mansion stunned.
When Mary stepped forward with questions, Joanna declared matter-of-factly, "I'm taking my grandchildren home to visit. What's wrong with that? I'll explain it to Gabriel myself—I won't make trouble for any of you."
Joanna had even brought staff with her. Before she'd finished speaking, someone stepped forward to collect the children.
"No one else needs to come except the wet nurse."
Arabella snapped to attention, worried about Joanna's ability to handle the babies properly. She quickly interjected, "Let Mary come too—the children know her well."
Joanna shot her a glance, initially inclined to refuse, but considering this woman would soon be divorced from her son anyway, she couldn't be bothered to make things difficult. "Fine, Mary too."
Mary didn't even have time to pack before the staff were hustling her out with the babies.
Arabella slipped into the chaos, hastily grabbing a travel bag and following them outside.
Samuel had just finished his call to Gabriel, who'd ordered him to stop everyone at all costs—he was rushing home immediately.
But faced with the people before him, how could he dare oppose them directly?
"Mrs. Sterling, Mr. Sterling specifically instructed that Mrs. Arabella Sterling cannot leave the premises. He's on his way home right now."
"Get out of my way! Do you want to keep your job or not?" Joanna snapped impatiently.
"Mrs. Sterling, even if you fire me today, I cannot let Mrs. Arabella Sterling leave. If Mr. Sterling returns and I've—" Samuel was caught between a rock and a hard place, continuing to block the car while trying to reason with them.
Sitting in the car, Arabella's heart hammered against her ribcage, practically jumping out of her throat.
She'd never imagined her life would include such heart-pounding, thrilling moments—it was just like something out of a movie.
Mary and the wet nurse held the children, equally anxious, murmuring worried reassurances that Arabella couldn't hear over the roaring in her ears.
Freedom was within reach—she couldn't give up now. She had to break free!
The group of staff continued blocking them, and the car couldn't move.
Emily, worried that Gabriel would return soon and ruin their plan, grew desperate. She slid into the driver's seat, started the engine, and rolled down the window to deliver an ultimatum, "Are you going to move or not?"
Samuel said nothing but kept his people positioned in front of the car.
Emily's arrogant, imperious temperament proved invaluable at that moment. She was utterly decisive—slamming her foot on the accelerator and aiming straight for the group of bodyguards with the fierce determination of someone playing human bowling. The car barreled toward them with lethal intent!
Samuel never expected the usually delicate socialite to have such audacity. In that split second, he bellowed, "Everyone move!" and shoved the people beside him out of the way.
The Maserati shot forward, with the second car carrying the staff and children close behind.
By the time the bodyguards picked themselves up off the ground, only taillights remained in the distance.
"Samuel, should we pursue them?"
"Pursue what! The children are in those cars—if something happens, who's going to take responsibility?" Samuel swore under his breath before immediately calling Gabriel again.
Still shaken, Arabella watched the babies being jostled by the car's movement and frowned at Joanna, "You shouldn't have put the children at risk like that."
Joanna shot her a withering look. "Think you're the only one who cares about these kids? I'm not their grandmother?"
She continued irritably, "Without bringing the children along, they definitely would have caught up to us. Did you really think you'd get away?"
Joanna had a brain in her head—bringing the children would make the bodyguards hesitate to pursue them aggressively.
Arabella fell silent at this pointed observation.
Joanna's phone rang, and she answered.
"Hello, Emily..."
"Aunt Joanna, are you all okay?"
"We're fine. It's freezing out there—you should head home immediately." Joanna still felt some concern for Emily.
Emily agreed, "Alright, I'll go back now. Just find somewhere to drop her off later."
Arabella's face darkened upon hearing this.
Still, the woman had just been doing her a favor. With the objective accomplished, Arabella should indeed disappear gracefully.
"Have the driver drop me at a subway station," she volunteered before Joanna could speak after hanging up.
Joanna studied her with a complicated expression, sighing before asking, "You've really made up your mind about divorcing my son?"
Arabella nodded firmly. "Yes, completely. Please try to convince him to sign the divorce papers."
"And the property division..."
"Don't worry, I don't want anything. My only request is that I be allowed to visit the children whenever I want."
Joanna had been about to say that a poor mother like her didn't need to worry about seeing the children—it would be better if they forgot about her entirely. But some remaining shred of conscience made her bite back the cruel words.
"Fine, I'll talk to him."
Arabella gazed mournfully at her twin babies.
The car's gentle swaying was hypnotic, and both children had fallen asleep again.
She looked longingly at their beautiful little faces, tears sliding unbidden down her cheeks.
Mary, witnessing this scene, felt her own heart break, but in Joanna's presence, she didn't dare say anything. She could only quietly wipe away her own tears, her eyes reddening with sympathy.
Joanna couldn't bear to watch any longer. She said gruffly, "It's not like you're never seeing them again—why are you crying? Don't worry, if Gabriel ever tries to stop you from visiting the children, call me. I'll take them away myself so you can see them."