Chapter 9 How Exactly Is Aunt Lydia Cursing My Divorce?
Both Chase's mother, Helen Sterling, and Ryan's mother, Lydia Sterling, jumped in shock, turning to see her. Their faces showed a flash of embarrassment before they quickly forced smiles.
"Oh, Arabella! Are you bringing lunch for William?" Lydia stepped forward, taking the initiative to make conversation.
Arabella didn't respond to the pleasantries, continuing their previous topic instead, "Gabriel's devotion to Grandfather comes from the heart. It's not what you're suggesting—some calculated move to curry favor or grab more inheritance."
Helen had regained her composure by now, resuming the dignified bearing of a family matriarch, smiling slightly, "Arabella, don't misunderstand. Lydia and I were just having a casual family chat."
"Family chat doesn't involve spreading malicious rumors behind someone's back. You're both family elders, and your words carry weight. If this gossip spreads, it'll make all the younger generation suspicious of Gabriel."
Arabella continued advocating for her position, hoping they'd recognize their mistake and set a proper example as elders.
Her words were rather pointed, and Helen's expression immediately darkened, "Arabella, since you acknowledge we're your elders, shouldn't you show us some respect?"
Helen came from a wealthy family background and had been respected in the Sterling household for decades. Being lectured face-to-face by Arabella, whom she looked down upon from the bottom of her heart, made her flush with indignation as she immediately pulled rank.
Seeing her expression, Arabella felt nervous inside, but knowing she had the moral high ground, she responded without backing down, "If you were acting properly, I'd certainly respect you. But what you and Aunt Lydia were saying was pure speculation. And regarding company matters—while I don't get involved, I've seen firsthand how hard Gabriel has worked these past few years running the company. Your sons didn't want the responsibility of managing it, so Gabriel shouldered it alone. Instead of being grateful that you can reap the benefits, you're badmouthing him behind his back."
These words made Helen's expression even uglier, and Lydia's face hardened with anger, too.
"What do you know about it! When is it ever your place to judge the Sterling family matters? You're just some orphan who got lucky and caught William's favor, managing to marry up into the Sterling family against all odds. Do you really think you've become some high-society lady now? William's body won't hold out much longer, and then we'll see if Gabriel still wants you! What are you so smug about? You actually dare lecture us—how improper!" Lydia wasn't as good at maintaining appearances as Helen. When provoked, she immediately lost her temper and launched into a vicious attack.
Helen smiled coldly, picking up where Lydia left off, "Well, you did say she's a parentless orphan. Who would have taught her any manners?"
Arabella found herself outmatched two-to-one, and being hit where it hurt most. Her face momentarily showed pain, "Even if I have no manners, at least I know not to gossip behind people's backs. You claim to know proper behavior, but your actions tell a different story."
"You..." Lydia's face turned livid with rage, and she suddenly stepped forward as if to confront her physically.
Fortunately, Helen grabbed her arm, whispering a warning, "Don't stoop to her level! If this escalates and reaches William's ears, the consequences will be much worse!"
Lydia bit her teeth, finally regaining some rationality, but still glared at Arabella resentfully and spat out, "I'll be waiting for the day Gabriel throws you out of Sterling Manor! Let's see how smug you are then!"
"Aunt Lydia, how exactly have I offended you to make you curse my divorce and hope for my family's destruction?" Suddenly, a deep, cool voice spoke unhurriedly, startling everyone present.
Arabella whirled around to see the imposing man approaching with an air of cold authority and a sardonic smile. Her heart immediately felt relief, and her eyes showed a hint of grievance.
Of course, she wasn't conscious of this herself.
Gabriel walked to his wife's side, raising his arm to wrap around her shoulders and draw her into his embrace, then turned his handsome face toward the two elders and continued questioning, "Aunt Lydia, you still haven't answered my question. Is it simply because Ryan didn't become CEO that you hold this grudge against me? If that's the case, I can step down immediately."
Lydia's expression went through several changes before she finally forced out a smile, "Gabriel, this... It's all a misunderstanding. Ryan can't sit still in an office—there's no way he could manage the company properly. Arabella must have misheard and misunderstood us."
"Is that so?" Gabriel looked down at Arabella in his arms, his face and tone both softening as he asked, "When did your hearing start playing tricks on you? Usually, you can hear the children stirring from far away and rush right over to them."
Arabella understood his meaning and played along, "Maybe I haven't been getting enough rest lately. Could have been my imagination."
"Then, after we have lunch with Grandfather, you should go home and rest early."
"Okay."
The couple's respectful exchange had barely finished when Gabriel turned around with Arabella still in his embrace.
However, when they reached the corner, he suddenly turned back, "Aunt Helen, Aunt Lydia, if you have issues with me, you can come to me directly rather than taking it out on innocent parties. Arabella has no family now—we are her family, and her grandfather is our family's benefactor. As elders, you should be showing her love and care. If incidents like this get out, outsiders will think the Sterling family bullies the weak and repays kindness with cruelty."
These words were delivered calmly and gently, but they struck Arabella's heart like thundering drums, stirring up tremendous waves.
His acting skills in public were truly masterful.
Moreover, he'd just been giving the elders face by deliberately providing them an out in the previous moment, then the next second he was delivering this pointed rebuke to their faces—utterly unpredictable.
Helen and Lydia were left with faces turning pale from his lecture, repeatedly starting to speak but stopping themselves.
Gabriel smoothly turned and walked away with Arabella, leaving the two elders standing there, seething with rage.
"Look at that smug attitude—they really are a perfect match! Equally rude, equally disrespectful to their elders!" Lydia trembled with fury.
But Helen shot her a withering look and stalked off angrily, "This is all your fault! Dragging me into gossiping about this, and then getting overheard!"
"I... this—" Lydia was left speechless.
————
Meanwhile, after Gabriel led Arabella away, they headed toward the hospital room, his arm still around her.
Arabella felt very uncomfortable, but knowing they still needed to play the loving couple in front of William, she didn't struggle free and simply let him keep his arm around her.
Her mind kept replaying the scene of Gabriel defending her, thinking about the words he'd spoken, and warmth stirred in her heart.
But then, remembering Helen and Lydia's conversation, that bit of warmth instantly dissipated.
Had he married her merely to comply with his grandfather's wishes and to secure control of the company and more inheritance?
If someone could sacrifice years of emotional attachment for material gain, that person was definitely not worth trusting—might even qualify as a complete scoundrel.
Looking at it this way, Emily not ending up with him was actually a good thing.
Maybe she'd seen through his true nature early on, which was why she'd rationally rejected him and chosen to marry Dominic instead.
Previously, Arabella had thought his devotion to Emily showed he was emotionally faithful and constant.
But now she'd changed her mind. What devotion and constancy? It was just the classic case of wanting what you can't have, of trying to have your cake and eat it too.
Furthermore, Helen and Lydia had mentioned that William wanted to revise his will and redistribute the inheritance. Was Gabriel refusing to divorce her because of this?
After all, with an extra person, he could claim an additional share.
Thinking about all this made Arabella's heart feel even colder, and she reminded herself once again not to be deceived by that handsome face or fooled by his temporary performance.
Divorce—she was absolutely determined to go through with it!