Chapter 162 Still Care For Her

Gabrielle was stunned when Stuart pushed her away.

"Enough with the tears. Clean yourself up. You look like a mess."

Gabrielle replied softly, "I get it. I'll go now."

As she watched Stuart head upstairs, her mind started racing.

She was sure she smelled another woman's perfume on him. It was faint but unmistakable, a scent she recognized from her college days, a popular fragrance among female students from a luxury brand.

Was Stuart seeing another college girl?

Gabrielle sat on the couch, her mind blank for a long time before she got up to wash her face.

After cleaning up, she returned to the couch, lost in thought.

The more she thought about Stuart's recent behavior, the more alarmed she became. He was coming home later and later, growing increasingly impatient with her, and they hadn't shared a bed in days.

Was she about to be abandoned?

That night, Gabrielle put on a special outfit she had bought and sneaked into the bathroom, hoping to surprise Stuart.

But when he saw her, his expression turned icy, and he pushed her out without a word.

Gabrielle was dumbfounded.

Had she completely lost her appeal to him?

What should she do?

The next morning, after a sleepless night, Gabrielle waited outside Stuart's door.

When he came out, she smiled brightly. "You're up! I made breakfast. Want to try it?"

Stuart nodded, and Gabrielle felt a flicker of hope.

If he was still willing to talk to her and eat her food, there was still hope.

She happily finished breakfast and went to work with Stuart.

As soon as she got into the car, Stuart said, "We've hired a housekeeper. You don't need to do these things anymore."

Gabrielle's heart sank again.

She turned to Stuart, forcing a smile. "Is my cooking that bad? I can take classes to improve."

"I said, you don't need to do these things."

Gabrielle deflated. "Okay, I understand."

With nothing to do in the morning, Gabrielle signed up for a cooking class.

In the afternoon, she took time off to attend.

When Stuart passed by her desk and noticed she wasn't there, he didn't ask about her and just walked on.

This made the colleagues Gabrielle had informed feel awkward.

It seemed like Mr. Marshall didn't care about Gabrielle at all.

After class, Gabrielle, exhausted, called a colleague.

The colleague hesitated before saying, "Gabrielle, Mr. Marshall might not have noticed you were gone."

Since becoming Stuart's secretary, she had made his coffee and cleaned his desk every day. How could he not notice?

Was it that he didn't see, or that he saw and didn't care?

Sitting in a taxi, Gabrielle's face was pale.

If Stuart really didn't want her anymore, what would she do?

She took a deep breath and called Yvette.

"Miss Bennett, I appreciate your help, but I can't do what you asked. However, if you have other requests, I'll do my best."

Yvette was stressed when she received the call. Derek had been pressuring her, and there was less than two days left.

Seeing the message, Yvette cursed under her breath.

If Gabrielle couldn't handle this, what could she expect from her?

"Did you watch the video?"

Gabrielle broke into a cold sweat.

"Miss Bennett, I really tried. You know Stuart treats me like a decoration. I can't access confidential files like the Star Project. But please believe me, I still have value at the Marshall Group. You'll need me eventually."

Gabrielle pleaded.

She wasn't sure if she could rely on Stuart, so she had to keep Yvette at bay.

She couldn't get important secrets, and even if she could, she wouldn't give them away.

But some peripheral business, insignificant to the Marshall Group, might not get her in too much trouble with Stuart later.

"Miss Bennett, I heard the Marshall Group is teaming up with an international company for a huge project. You interested?"

Gabrielle bit her lip, offering the bait.

She had overheard Stuart mention his old acquaintance with the Bishop Group's CEO. Even if something went wrong during the collaboration, it wouldn't ruin their relationship.

So she took the risk.

"You mean the Bishop Group?" Yvette's eyes lit up.

The Bishop Group's project was on par with the Star Project, maybe even more significant. If she could get it, Derek would be impressed!

"When can you get it?"

"Tomorrow. I can get it by tomorrow."

"I'll give you one last chance," Yvette said coldly.

"Thank you, Miss Bennett. I'll do my best."

After hanging up, Gabrielle walked into the house.

A Bentley sped past her, and she instinctively turned to see Abigail in the passenger seat and Edward driving.

Her heart sank.

Abigail was so favored. Why did she get to be so happy?

As she pondered this, Stuart returned.

A sleek Maybach brushed past her and entered the driveway.

Gabrielle walked in silently.

The driver greeted her warmly.

Gabrielle forced a response.

Stuart was still in the living room. Seeing her, he said, "I spoke to Yvette. She won't bother you anymore."

Gabrielle nodded. "Thank you."

Then she went upstairs.

Stuart was taken aback. What was wrong with her?

"Where did you go this afternoon?"

Gabrielle, slowly climbing the stairs, turned abruptly.

"Why did you take time off? Are you feeling unwell?"

"No, no. I signed up for a class and went to try it out today," Gabrielle said excitedly.

Knowing Stuart still cared for her, Gabrielle was so happy, tears filled her eyes.

"I have plans tonight. Go to bed early," Stuart said as he left the house.

Gabrielle was stunned for a moment, then ran after him. "I'll wait for you."

Gabrielle looked up, her eyes shining, making anyone's heart soften.

Especially since she resembled Abigail by six or seven points.

"Sleep if you're tired."

Gabrielle beamed. That meant he would come back.

"I'll wait for you."

Blushing, she ran upstairs.

Stuart watched, feeling a pang of nostalgia.

If only she were Abigail.

He shook his head, smiling wryly.

On the weekend, Abigail went out with Mabel, who was eagerly trying to please her.

"Abigail, when are you guys wrapping up? Can I catch a ride?" Mabel asked tentatively.

"It'll be late. You should—"

"I can wait," Mabel quickly said.

"Alright, I'll call you when we're almost done."

"Thanks, Abigail."

Mabel waved to Abigail as she got out of the car and walked into her apartment building.