By now, even Hannah's team seemed uncomfortable. Mirabelle gently tugged on Annabelle's sleeve, signaling for her to stop.But, the latter did not seem to want to."Are you saying that Mr. Albert is a heartless man who only cares about personal benefit, Ms. Annabelle?" Gabriella retaliated.Annabelle's expression stiffened. "No, of course not."Just then, the door opened. Henry and Hannah came in looking like a match made in heaven.The production manager murmured to Gabriella, "They look so good together. We might be getting a new lady boss soon."Gabriella's heart clenched. Looking a little pale, she pressed her lips together and stood up to usher them to their seats.But, Annabelle beat her to it and arranged for the two to sit together. "Please have a seat, Mr. Toussaint. You too, Hannah."Everyone else stood up out of respect and only resumed their seats when Henry told them to.The atmosphere was friendly enough. Annabelle led the conversations, cueing Henry and Hannah n
"No." Henry massaged his temples, switched off his desktop, and got up. "Let's go."When they arrived home, they had dinner together. Afterward, Henry went to his study to continue his work.Gabriella watched television for a while. Later, she got herself a glass of water and took her pills."Why are you taking medication? Are you feeling unwell?"Henry's voice rang out from behind Gabriella. It surprised her.Swiftly, Gabriella composed herself and replied, "Yeah. My stomach's been acting up lately."Henry poured himself a glass of water too. "Did you see a doctor?"He recalled how she had refused to have any alcohol during lunch but did not think much of it."I did.""Good. Maintaining a healthy body is our top priority in life. Take care of yourself, alright?" Henry said gently.Gabriella nodded, though her heart stung painfully.…The next morning, Gabriella was awakened by a phone call. Still a little bleary-eyed, she picked up her phone from the nightstand and glanced
Being the CEO of Toussaint Holdings, Henry appeared in the news quite often.He had good looks, a sculpted physique, wealth, and a prominent family background. In the eyes of most people, he was comparable to a fictional character blessed with the best things in life.Hannah was just as beautiful and successful in her career. To most people, the two could surely be considered the perfect match.Soon, those who supported the two as a couple filled the internet with eager congratulations offered to the supposed couple. The couple was given the nickname "Saint Ben", which combined both their last names.The number of such fans ballooned into hundreds of thousands in mere minutes. Everything from fanfiction and fanart to video montages of Henry and Hannah's respective career highlights started spreading across the internet.Gabriella even noticed that an online user had changed their username to "Have Henry and Hannah Gotten Married Yet?"The fans really knew how to find ways
The office was silent for a long while. Minutes later, Henry finally said, "I … am sorry. I shouldn't have accused you …"A two-sentence apology?Was that all?After three years of marriage, was this all he could muster?"I'm sorry for hurting you. I'll do everything I can to make it up to you, but please leave Hannah out of this. She doesn't know I'm married."Gabriella smiled bitterly.What a husband she had—apologizing to her one second and defending another woman the next.Gabriella was genuinely tired now. She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Do whatever you want."She left his office.Henry watched as her sad, hunched figure slowly disappeared from view. He narrowed his eyes slightly, deep in thought.Just then, his phone rang. When he saw who it was, he answered the call immediately."I'm sure you've seen the news online by now, Henry. I'm so sorry! I should've been more careful in public," Hannah said from the other end of the line.When she was
When Henry and Gabriella arrived at the old villa, the servants came out to greet them."Please have a seat. Madam Aster is still in the kitchen."The housekeeper brought out a plate of fruit for them to have while they waited.Aster Trich had grown up without the luxury and wealth she had later on in her life. Now retired, she spent her days like any other ordinary elderly person. She enjoyed the company of her children, cooked for the family, and knitted every now and then.She was highly respected by everyone in the family."Where's Grandpa?" Gabriella asked.The housekeeper pointed upstairs. "Still resting. He's been feeling tired easily these days."Both Gabriella and Henry seemed worried about him.Albert's father was the one who started the Toussaint family's business, but he was the one who built it up into what it came to be now.In his old age, his health deteriorated due to the injuries he sustained in his youth. He had also undergone a liver transplant and relied
Gabriella quickly stepped in to lighten the mood. "Here, try my duck a l'orange, Grandpa. I know it's your favorite.""See how much Gabby loves you, dear? Even I'm getting jealous," Aster said fondly."Our Gabby's the most considerate child," Albert said with a smile. "She's not like some other heartless child who seems to want to make me die of a heart attack."Henry, the heartless one, could not respond to that."Don't say that, Grandpa. You still have decades left to live!" Gabriella declared.Her parents had gotten divorced when she was a young child. Her father had received full custody of her as her mother never wanted her.Gabriella never saw her mother again after that. She was raised by her grandparents as her father was busy with work. It was only after her grandparents passed away that she started living with her father again.When she was sixteen, her father passed away as well.It was Aster and Albert who had taken her in and gave her a loving home once more.Sh
Hours later, the two left the old villa.While they were inside the car, Gabriella asked, "You've seen how Grandpa reacted to the news of our divorce. What do you plan to do next?"Henry gazed out the window and sighed. "We can get the papers signed first without telling him, and break the news to him later."So, he still wanted to go through with it, even though he would be going against his grandfather's wishes and potentially angering the old man.Every breath Gabriella took felt like blades slicing her heart open. She looked away. "Okay. When will we get it officialized?"Henry skimmed through the planner on his phone. "Next Monday? I'm busy for the rest of the week.""Okay."Henry glanced at her. He found her lack of hesitation somewhat unsettling.Frankly speaking, Gabriella was a beautiful woman. She had bright, doe-like eyes and a heart-shaped mouth that reflected both tender smiles and stern ferocity.When she beamed, dimples appeared on her cheeks. They made her lo
The next morning, Gabriella got to the photo studio before the shoot started. She had the staff decorate the set.Soon, the photographer and makeup artist arrived. Both were Gabriella's work acquaintances. She had collaborated with them numerous times in the past.They were quick to pick up on how Gabriella wanted the advertisement to look like.When the props and set team had finished their work, Gabriella checked the time.The shooting time was supposed to be 9:00 am. They were half an hour behind schedule.Yet, Hannah and her team had yet to arrive.Yvonne quickly messaged them while Quinn grumbled, "She thinks she's some big shot, huh?"Colene Whistle, the makeup artist, scoffed. "Probably. It can't be helped. She did spend years overseas. "What can we do if she chooses to waste everyone's time? "We can't fire her. Not even Gabriella could."Everyone knew Henry was the one who gave Hannah this position. Naturally, Gabriella had no say in the matter, even though she wa