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Chapter 25
After hanging up, Gabriella carefully reviewed the evening’s events.
Why had Sienna sneaked into her room during her shower? Certainly not just to “look around” as she’d claimed.
She had an agenda.
Gabriella surveyed her room meticulously. Besides the shattered figurine, everything seemed untouched.
Then her eyes fell on the glass of warm milk on her nightstand.
She always had warm milk before bed–Rosa had brought it up before her shower.
The Beagle had been on that same nightstand.
If Sienna broke the figurine, she must have lingered near the nightstand.
The milk–she might have tampered with it.
Asher arrived in New York three hours later.
When he called, he was already heading toward Riverside Manor.
Gabriella was busy throwing bags of sorted belongings into the dumpsters outside the house.
“I’m not staying here tonight, Asher.” She continued walking back to the house–she had more to dispose of, and it
was too late to bother Rosa.
Asher simply said, “Alright.”
“Have you booked your hotel?”
He named a five–star property.
“I’ll book a room there too. Let’s meet at the hotel–no need to come here.”
She planned to clear everything tonight and leave this house behind.
Time to say goodbye to Drake too.
Loading her suitcase into the Bentley’s trunk, she discovered the hotel was fully booked.
A quick search revealed why–a major exam at a nearby university tomorrow had filled every decent hotel in the
area.
The only vacancy she found was at a questionable establishment. The reviews made her wince.
One read: [Paper–thin walls. Could hear EVERYTHING from the couple next door all night. Like a live audio show.
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Sorry My Sten–Uncle. I’m Not Your Backr
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Couldn’t deepd
She understood perfectly
She had court at 3 PM tomorrow, a three hour drive away, Factoring in preparation and lunch, she needed to be up by 10 AM latest
It was already past 11 PM, and she still needed to meet Asher. She couldn’t risk poor sleep before court.
She messaged Asher,
The hotel’s full, and so is everything nearby, Could you help with a room?]
While standard rooms were gone, luxury hotels always kept suites reserved for VIPs.
As the Blackwood heir and CEO, Asher could easily secure one.
He replied quickly,
[I have a duplex penthouse suite. Two bedrooms–one up, one down. You’re welcome to stay if you’re comfortable with that.j
Gabriella hesitated.
They hadn’t seen each other in three years–was sharing a suite appropriate?
But where else could she go at this hour?
A duplex meant separate floors. Maybe it would be fine.
After a few minutes‘ debate, she agreed.
Just then, Drake messaged.
He sent photos of Sienna’s heavily bandaged hand, looking severe.
[You went too far, Gabriella. Come to the hospital and apologize to Sienna.]
[No forgiveness without an apology. Say sorry, and you can still stay at the house.]
Gabriella laughed coldly, blocking and deleting Drake without reply.
At the hospital, Drake stared at the red exclamation mark on his screen, his handsome face dark with anger.
“Unable to send message. You are no longer friends. Send friend request?”
She’d actually blocked him!
His temple throbbed with rising fury.
Look who learned to block people.
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From her hospital bed, Stenna iced his expression. “Drake? Whats wrong?”
He collected himself “Nothing”
Sienna didn’t press. She gazed at him with calculated volnerability. “Twake, is my hand rained? Will I never play plano again?”
Sienna had studied piano, attending a prestigions conservatory abroad
Before returning, she’d built a following on social media, amassing over a million followers as a minor influencer
Drake’s expression softened with sympathy and affection. “No, the doctor said it’s superficial. No tendon damage You’ll heal in days.”
Sienna looked mournful, tears threatening. “Really? You’re not just saying that?”
Drake stroked her hair. “No.”
She met his eyes plaintively. “Drake…. if–hypothetically–if it were worse, if I could never play again, would you forgive Gabriella?”
His dark eyes hardened. “Even for this injury, she doesn’t get forgiveness without apologizing. If you really couldn’t play again? She’d pay dearly.”
Sienna’s eyes glistened as she leaned against his shoulder. “Drake, you’re always so good to me.”
Holding her, Drake thought of Gabriella.
Had he been too harsh, saying he never wanted to see her again?
But she’d hurt Sienna first–it was her fault!
She’d blocked him expecting him to chase after her. Not this time.
Entering the hotel lobby, Gabriella immediately spotted Asher.
In a black dress shirt and trousers that emphasized his tall, athletic frame, sharp features unchanged after three years, he remained unfairly handsome.
A formally dressed man–presumably his assistant–stood beside him.
Seeing her, Asher strode over quickly to take her suitcase. “Gabby, are you alright?”
She managed a soft, “I’m fine.”
“Sir, I’ll take my leave,” the assistant said deferentially.
Asher nodded.
The penthouse suite was exquisitely appointed, with panoramic views of Manhattan’s nightscape through
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floor–to–ceiling windows.
“Up or down, Gabby?”
Sharing space with such a devastatingly handsome man made her nervous. “Either is fine.”
She thought she heard a low chuckle but didn’t dare look up,
His deep voice was gentle. “Take upstairs then. I’m here if you need anything.”
A suspicious blush crept across her face. “Okay.”
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Chapter 26
