Chapter 307: Loneliness
“So you can’t use it tomorrow?” Alison finally understood why she had seen him curled up in the corner, fighting back tears.
Gabriel nodded with his eyes closed. “I’ve already told you more than I should.”
He seemed to be asking her to leave.
“Gabriel, promise me you’ll come to work at my company tomorrow. If you agree, I’ll leave.” She sounded stubborn, but she genuinely didn’t want him to stay with the Polar Bear Alliance.
Maybe it was selfish — maybe she just wanted a reason to see him again, to pour all the longing meant for Jack into someone who breathed.
The air froze.
His eyes remained closed, occasionally fluttering with the slightest tremor of his lashes.
“Gabriel, did you agree?” she asked.
“Phone.”
He suddenly reached out, his eyes still closed, and his fingertips brushed her cheek.
That touch sent an electric shock through her body.
She flinched away immediately.
“What?” she asked, confused.
“Your phone number. I’ll give you my answer tomorrow.” His tone was still cool.
Her heart leaped with hope. She hurriedly reached for her phone, only to realize that she didn’t know his number.
“Give me your number. I’ll call you.”
“XXXXXXXXXXX.” He rattled it off quickly.
When she dialed, the ringtone sounded muffled beneath the pillow.
“All right.” He remained immersed in the comfort it provided.
“Gabriel, I’m leaving. Get some rest.” She stepped past him and quickly walked out of the room.
As she descended the stairs, she couldn’t stop thinking about him lying on the floor.
Behind her, loneliness filled the room like smoke that refused to fade.
She ran all the way, fleeing the “slums”. Yet her heart felt light.
Maybe tomorrow… I can see him again.
With this in mind, she eagerly awaited dawn, knowing it would mark the beginning of her new day.
Night gradually receded as the glow of dawn quietly descended.
In the small attic, Gabriel picked up his phone.
The screen showed a missed call. He checked it repeatedly, then saved the name Alison.
Next, he mustered his courage and called Matthew.
“Gabriel, what is it?” Matthew picked up after only three rings.
“Sir, Alison just invited me to work at YD.”
“Haha, great! Go ahead then. But finish the task I assigned you as soon as possible. You can only leave YD after you’ve completed it.”
“Understood, sir.”
“Also, I’ll arrange for someone to deliver that thing to you daily. You really need to find a new place to live. Don’t stay in that tiny attic anymore.”
“Understood, sir.”
“Gabriel, could you vary your responses a bit? I value loyalty, but not rigidity.”
“That’s your perspective, not something you can impose on others. You only care about the outcome. The process is my business, isn’t it?”
“Brilliant! Besides Pierre, you’re the only one who dares to speak to me like that. All right, I authorize you to handle this. If Pierre causes trouble, just let me know,” Matthew said.
“Understood, sir,” he responded.
“Fine, I’ll wait for your results.” Matthew hung up.
Early the next morning, Alison dressed neatly and prepared for work.
Her dark circles were skillfully concealed by concealer.
She had much to accomplish, including infiltrating the Polar Bear Alliance.
Though she’d once considered using Gabriel as her entry point, she changed her mind.
Now, she only wished he’d find his way out — clean, alive, free.
“Mommy, it’s so early! Are you taking us to kindergarten today?” the children asked.
“Yes, and hurry up,” she replied with a smile.
“Mommy, you look so pretty,” said Sophia, holding her hand.
“Let’s go.” She slipped back into her role as a mother.
Sliding into her long-unworn professional dress, she felt like she was stepping back into the first day she came to YD.
The receptionist recognized her immediately — everyone knew Jack’s fortune had been transferred to her.
“Miss Fairchild, I’ll notify the president of your arrival immediately.”
Alison waved her hand, her gaze sweeping over everyone present.
“Not a word to anyone,” she said sternly.
“Yes,” the crowd answered in unison.
The elevator swiftly carried them to the top floor.
As she walked down the corridor, her thoughts naturally drifted to Jack, then to Gabriel.
As she pushed open the glass door, the secretary was startled.
Just as she was about to speak, Alison placed a finger to her lips.
The secretary smiled knowingly and directed her toward Aidan’s office.
Alison softly tiptoed across the carpet.
Standing before Aidan’s desk, he hadn’t noticed her yet.
The office was eerily quiet, broken only by the low sound of Aidan scribbling on paper.
He was intensely focused on his work — a true workaholic.
Alison leaned forward slightly, casting a shadow across his documents.
The shadow startled him, but he didn’t look up. His voice remained deep as he asked, “Who’s there?”
“Aidan, it’s me,” she replied with a smile.