Chapter 70 I Don't Like How He Looks at You
Arabella was still nursing—even when she occasionally wore dresses, they were the kind with front zippers designed for breastfeeding.
These expensive, luxurious evening gowns would just hang in the closet as decoration.
Gabriel replied, "How could you not wear them? Do you want to wear the same dress to every gala from now on? People will think I'm going bankrupt and can't even afford clothes for my wife."
For the truly wealthy, luxury items were essentially disposable.
Wendy smiled brightly while ringing up the purchase, consoling Arabella, "Arabella, when it comes to men's money, spend it when you should—don't hold back. What you spend now is yours, but if you don't spend it now... who knows who'll be spending it later?"
The implication was clear, and Arabella understood perfectly.
Gabriel shot Wendy a warning look upon hearing this, and she immediately smiled apologetically, "Gabriel, don't say I didn't give you a discount—I even rounded down for you. Two hundred thousand."
Two hundred thousand dollars... Arabella was once again witnessing high society's spending habits.
Gabriel paid without hesitation.
All the gowns and handbags were packaged and sent directly to their home.
Gabriel took Arabella to the restaurant for their dinner appointment.
Neither spoke much during the drive.
But as they approached the restaurant, Arabella shifted uncomfortably in her seat, turning toward the window and discreetly tugging at her clothes with her hand hidden from Gabriel's view.
At a red light, Gabriel stopped the car and couldn't help asking, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
"No... nothing," Arabella said, embarrassedly. She hadn't pumped milk for several hours and was now experiencing engorgement.
Remembering the last bout of mastitis when Gabriel had helped her at Mary's suggestion, she worried that if he knew about her current condition, he might offer to help again.
After all, he'd been quite bold in the dressing room earlier.
She couldn't rule out the possibility of him losing control in a restroom later.
But she underestimated Gabriel's emotional and social intelligence.
When the car started moving again, he cleared his throat, his voice low and husky, "Should we call home and have Mary bring the children to the restaurant?"
Arabella turned to look at his stern, handsome profile, pressing her lips together before saying, "Isn't that a bit inconvenient?"
"What's inconvenient about it? The kids are getting bigger—it's good to take them out occasionally."
With that, Gabriel called home.
Mary immediately agreed, hanging up to have the nanny pack baby supplies while she took the two children out in a grand procession.
When they arrived at the restaurant, Sophia's family of three was already there.
Knowing Gabriel's status would require privacy, so Sophia had reserved an elegantly appointed private dining room.
Having decided to be a full-time mother focused on childcare, and with no one to watch the kids today, she'd had to bring her daughter along.
Upon meeting Gabriel, both Zachary and Sophia became extremely respectful, bowing with nearly every word, acting exceptionally cautious.
Arabella felt mortified and immediately tried to ease the tension, "Please don't do that—you're scaring the child. Sit down, please, let's all sit and talk."
Zachary immediately fawned, "Mr. Sterling, please take the head of the table!"
Gabriel instantly disliked Zachary's obsequious manner, but for Arabella's sake, he reluctantly took his seat.
Sophia handed over the menu, "Arabella, you order—see what Mr. Sterling likes."
"You order—see what Lily enjoys. We adults aren't picky," Arabella genuinely felt this way, not wanting Sophia to be so nervously attentive.
Zachary quickly interjected, "What does a child know? Of course, we should cater to Mr. Sterling's preferences." He pushed the menu back toward Arabella.
Gabriel's phone rang, and he stepped out to take the call.
The moment the door closed, Sophia visibly relaxed, marveling to Arabella, "Arabella! He's even more handsome in person than in magazines—so imposing and aloof, yet incredibly wealthy. How could you bear to divorce such a perfect husband?"
Hearing Sophia praise another man, Zachary felt jealous, "Sophia, tone it down! That's Arabella's husband!"
"Oh, please, I can't look at a handsome man? You drool over beautiful women all the time!"
"I do not!"
As the couple seemed about to start bickering, Arabella quickly intervened, "Enough, enough—let's just order."
The door opened, and Gabriel returned, looking at Arabella, "Mary's here. You should go to the nursing room."
"Oh, okay." She leaned over to whisper in Sophia's ear, "I'm going to nurse."
Sophia looked surprised. "The children came too?"
"Yes, they just arrived."
Gabriel waited by the door, and Arabella didn't chat further, rising to leave.
Gabriel smiled politely, "Sorry for the delay. Please go ahead and order, Mr. Baker."
Zachary quickly stood and nodded, "Of course, of course. Take your time—no rush."
After the door closed, Zachary looked at Sophia with complex emotions, sighing, "Look at how the wealthy carry themselves—so arrogant. When will I ever have that kind of presence?"
He knew Gabriel looked down on him, but was only being polite out of courtesy.
Sophia was more philosophical, pouring water for Lily while saying, "Everyone has their fate—why dwell on it? His family has been wealthy for over a century. It took generations of effort to achieve this status—what right do we have to compare?"
Not wanting to depress her husband further, she added encouragingly, "But we can start working hard from our generation, hoping our descendants might someday have similar prestige."
Zachary gave a bitter laugh, "You're quite the dreamer."
In the nursing room, Arabella had intended to bring only Mary and Henny inside, but Gabriel took Henny from Mary's arms and followed her into the nursing area.
She immediately felt uncomfortable, frowning at him, "What's gotten into you today?"
Gabriel replied matter-of-factly, "As a father, I'm participating in daily childcare. What's wrong with that?"
Fine, nothing was wrong—she didn't argue, so she could only turn away with her back to him.
Gabriel glanced at her, feeling speechless.
She was really treating him, her legitimate husband, like some kind of pervert!
His mood darkened as he held the increasingly fussy Henny, gently bouncing to soothe him while mentally plotting his evening revenge.
Arabella finished nursing Isabella and looked back at Gabriel with a slight frown. "Hey, could you not act so superior around my friends?"
Rather than helping, her comment only stirred Gabriel's irritation.
"I don't like how that guy looks at you. Right in front of his wife, he ogles every attractive woman; if his wife weren't there, who knows how sleazily he'd get."
That was why he deliberately maintained his aloof demeanor—to make Zachary think twice.
"That's not... you think everyone has ulterior motives. You yourself are always..." She'd been about to say 'you yourself are always being perverted,' but caught herself criticizing him for the same behavior.