Chapter 4 You Need to Please Gabriel
Arabella lifted her gaze toward the patient room and, noticing no other women inside, understood it wouldn't be appropriate to enter. She pressed her lips together and waited quietly to the side.
Hurried footsteps echoed behind her. Without even looking, Arabella knew who it was.
Thinking of last night's events, she didn't bother greeting Emily.
Of course, Emily completely ignored her presence as well.
"Joanna, how is Grandpa William? I just got the news and rushed over from the studio," Emily said breathlessly as she came to a stop, her voice thick with concern.
Joanna's face softened into a warm smile at the sight of Emily. "His condition has stabilized for now, but it's not looking good. The doctors are discussing treatment options with Gabriel and the others."
Emily stood there in her designer outfit, makeup flawless and hair perfectly styled—every inch of her radiating old-money elegance.
All the other Sterling family members nodded respectfully when they saw her, and she smiled graciously in return.
After Joanna finished speaking, Emily's delicate features grew even more worried. "I need to go see Grandpa."
"Wait..."
Joanna tried to stop her, but it was too late.
Emily pushed through the door and entered.
On the hospital bed, William looked gaunt and frail after days of illness.
Seeing a young woman enter, he assumed it was Arabella and immediately turned to look.
Instead, he found Emily.
"Grandpa, how are you feeling? Are you in any pain?" Emily grasped William's hand, tears instantly streaming down her face as her voice caught with emotion.
Gabriel looked toward Emily, their eyes meeting with meaningful depth.
William nodded weakly. "I'm fine... don't worry about me."
Gabriel watched the woman's tears fall and pulled tissues from the bedside table, offering them to her.
Emily accepted them. "Thank you, Gabriel."
William looked at his most beloved grandson and slowly raised his hand. "Gabriel."
"I'm here, Grandpa." Gabriel immediately bent forward, catching William's frail hand in his own.
"Where's Arabella... did she come?"
Emily's expression shifted slightly, her lips tightening. William's thoughts were consumed with that woman.
Gabriel replied, "She's here, waiting outside."
"Bring her in. I need to speak with her."
"Of course."
Gabriel gently placed William's hand back under the covers and walked toward the door.
Seeing Gabriel emerge, Joanna looked slightly startled. "Gabriel, what's..."
Before she could finish, Gabriel turned to Arabella with a slight nod. "Come in. Grandpa wants to see you."
Arabella blinked, pointing to herself. "Me?"
Gabriel's expression darkened, clearly irritated by what he saw as her obtuse response.
Seeing his displeasure, Arabella realized she hadn't misunderstood and quickly stepped forward.
Gabriel suddenly took her hand, startling her so much that her heart skipped a beat.
However, before she could process what this gesture meant, they were already at the bedside.
"Grandpa, Arabella's here."
William's face softened when he saw Arabella, a gentle smile creasing his features. "Arabella... you've been working so hard, taking care of two children, barely getting any sleep. You look thinner."
Looking at William in this condition, Arabella's mind flashed to her own grandfather's final moments. Tears welled up before she could even speak.
Emily, standing on the other side of the bed, frowned at seeing her cry silently. "Grandpa's talking to you. Why are you crying? He's fine, isn't he?"
Arabella didn't respond to her, didn't even spare her a glance.
She quickly wiped her tears and composed herself, managing a smile. "Grandpa, I'm not working hard at all. We have nannies and housekeepers at home, and the children are so well-behaved. They eat, sleep, and play—I truly don't have any hardships."
William chuckled softly. "Silly girl, no mother ever has it easy."
He then looked up at Gabriel, his tone growing more serious. "Gabriel, you're a husband and a father. You need to shoulder that responsibility properly; otherwise, you'll be letting down all the Sterling ancestors."
Gabriel's expression remained cool but respectful. "Grandpa, I remember everything you've taught me."
As he spoke, his hand brushed slightly against Arabella's. Understanding the cue, she said smoothly, "Grandpa, please focus on your recovery. Gabriel treats me very well, and the children are thriving. Please don't worry about us."
"Good, that's good." William looked satisfied, then turned to the other side. "Emily."
Emily hadn't expected William to address her and quickly brightened, grasping his hand again. "Yes, Grandpa?"
William paused, then said quietly, "You and Dominic should think about having children. A man only truly settles down and takes responsibility once he becomes a father. That's the only way to build a stable home."
At these words, both Emily's and Gabriel's faces grew uncomfortable.
This was clearly a pointed reminder.
He was telling them to maintain proper boundaries within their respective marriages—that married people shouldn't be getting entangled with each other, creating unnecessary complications.
Emily's face flushed with embarrassment, but she had to play innocent, forcing a laugh. "Don't worry, Grandpa. We're planning for it. You just focus on getting better so you can help name our future children."
"Good, good..." William nodded with satisfaction, raising his hand weakly. "You all go take care of your business. No need to hover over me. I'm tired and want to rest."
William closed his eyes, and everyone gradually filed out of the room.
Gabriel's father, James Sterling, looked at the crowded hallway and raised his hand. "Everyone can go home now. Father's condition is stable for the moment."
Gabriel's phone rang with another business call.
After finishing the conversation, he looked at Arabella. "Let's go. Time to head back."
Then he turned to Emily, addressing her directly in front of Arabella, "You should get back to your work, too. Don't trouble Dominic—tell him he doesn't need to rush back."
Emily nodded. "I'll call him right away."
Without another glance at Arabella, Gabriel strode toward the exit with his long, confident steps.
Arabella hurried to catch up.
As she passed Emily, she had planned to ignore her completely, but Emily spoke first, "About last night—don't misunderstand. It was a business dinner with many people present."
Arabella inwardly scoffed, thinking Gabriel had terrible taste to fall for such a fake woman.
She replied coolly, "I didn't misunderstand anything. His feelings for you aren't exactly a secret. In his mind, you're the only one worthy of being Mrs. Sterling."
At these words, Emily's smugly proud expression suddenly turned melancholy. After a moment of silence, she said, "Fate can be cruel. I only think of him as a brother. I've always loved Dominic."
"You should tell him that. See how devastated he looks—how thrilling that would be."
Arabella's coldly cutting response clearly irritated Emily, whose expression shifted again as she lowered her voice angrily, "You're married to him now. You should treat him better instead of hoping he'll be hurt and miserable."
Arabella raised her eyes slightly. "Are you quite finished with your lecture, Mrs. Kingsley?"
"You..." Emily clenched her fists in anger, then decided to be completely blunt, "As a member of the Sterling family, you should pay attention to your appearance. Looking so sloppy and unkempt—how do you expect Gabriel to like you? He probably finds you disgusting to even look at!"