Chapter 67

Loretta's vision dimmed, and for a moment she thought she might collapse.

The rumor was absurd-utterly impossible.

"These people are talking rubbish!" she burst out.

Miriam, spotting her agitation, leaned in with calculated gravity. "Do you remember that fortunate teller you brought in last time? The one who warned something bad would happen to Mr. Moss before year's end?"

Loretta nodded. "Oh, yes-it sounded dreadful!Thank goodness I paid for those protective rites."

"If you ask me, Gabriela is the one who warded it off,"Miriam continued, each word deliberate. "When she arrived last night, she was so badly hurt she couldn't even stand. Mr. Moss carried her all the way inside himself."

Could a delicate young woman like Gabriela truly shield Wesley from ill fortune?

The thought hovered in Loretta's mind, impossible yet strangely compelling.

Miriam carried on weaving her story. "See how her cheekbones slope gently instead ofjutting out? That softness means good fortune. And the radiant, joyful energy that follows her? Every sign points to a woman born under a lucky star."

Loretta drew in a quick breath. "I was so taken with her beauty, I didn't even notice these."

Miriam said firmly, "Believe me, any man who wins her hand would be walking away with the prize of a lifetime."

"I judged her wrong," Loretta admitted at last.

Miriam's tone softened. "It's fine. There are still ways we can... encourage developments between Mr.Moss and her." Leaning closer, she murmured a scheme into Loretta's ear, "When he turns in tonight,we'll do this..."

Loretta faltered. "Are you sure that will work?"

She had always enjoyed her conversations with Miriam,trusting the housekeeper without question-perhaps because of those warm, kind eyes and her steady, gentle manner.

But Gabriela was another matter entirely, and Loretta's unfamiliarity bred caution.

Miriam pressed on. "For now, we need to keep Gabriela here. Mr. Moss upset Gabriela last night,and the thought of staying another night likely unsettles her."

Loretta gave a small nod. "Alright, we'll do as you say. I'll figure out a way to make her stay."

Gabriela, despite her injured foot, had carried out her tasks with quiet patience, never once complaining.That gentle, agreeable nature had won Loretta's favor. Now she far preferred Gabriela to Fiona, whose spoiled delicacy grated in comparison.

When their private discussion ended, Loretta and Miriam returned to the living room, where Gabriela sat waiting with a calm composure.

She began, "My foot's feeling much better. My uncle called earlier and asked me to come home."

At that, whatever hesitation Loretta still harbored vanished in an instant. She leaned forward, her tone almost urgent. "Leaving already? Is something bothering you here?"

Gabriela, puzzled by the sudden warmth in Loretta's manner, answered politely, "Mr. Moss was kind enough to take me in last night, and I'd hate to impose any further."

Miriam leaned in with a warm smile. "It's no trouble at all. The manor's big enough to spare a room for you."

Gabriela gave an awkward smile.

But the room they meant was Wesley's own bedroom. Catching the flicker of hesitation in her eyes, Loretta felt a pang of shame. Only last night she'd been convinced Gabriela had no self-respect,that she was chasing after money and would latch onto her grandson without a shred of dignity.

"Gabriela, are you angry at me for giving you a hard time earlier?" she asked gently, Gabriela shook her head quickly. "Not at all. My uncle'sasking me to come home."

"With that injured foot of yours, how are you even planning to get there? Stay another night,and leave tomorrow once you've had more rèst." Loretta's eyes grew misty with theatrical sorrow. "If you walk out now, it's as good as saying you are upset with me."

With Loretta's voice brimming with earnestness,Gabriela felt cornered into agreeing. "Fine, I'll give it one more night."

Miriam exhaled in quiet relief, instantly heading to the kitchen to arrange dinner.

Knowing she'd be staying, Gabriela pulled out her phone to call her uncle.

She spoke softly into the phone. "Yes, I'm not coming back tonight. My ankle's still sore, so I'll stay over at a friend's place... No, it's nothing serious-no need for the hospital."

From the side, Loretta observed her.

Wesley had said Gabriela had been locked out late at night, yet here she was, still speaking to her uncle with such unshakable respect.

Gabriela truly seemed a rare find.

Loretta's affection for her deepened-after all, here was a young woman who treated everyone with genuine respect.

Gabriela, however, felt a prickle of unease beneath Loretta's suddenly adoring gaze, sensing an odd shift in her demeanor.

·.·

Dinner was soon served, drawing everyone to the long,gleaming table.

Loretta's gaze sharpened when she noticed how closely Gabriela attended to Wesley's tastes.

When a platter of spicy shredded vegetables landed near him, Gabriela leaned in and murmured, "Mr.Moss, maybe go easy on this one. Or I can take out the chilies for you-how about that?"

As his secretary, she knew his preferences by heart.

Wesley couldn't handle too much heat because of his heart, yet he still craved the faint burn of spice.

He gave a quiet "Okay," and though his face remained composed, the faint curl at the edge of his lips betrayed the lift in his mood.

Loretta found the change in him astonishing.

Her grandson had always been stubborn, brushing off nearly everyone's advice-yet Gabriela could move him without effort.

She cast a sidelong glance at Miriam, who met her gaze with a serene smile that wordlessly said, "Told you she was remarkable."

Once dinner was cleared away, Loretta and Miriam drew Gabriela into a round of cards.

Laughter and lighthearted banter carried them past ten o'clock, until at last they let her slip away to her room for the night.

Gabriela climbed the stairs, her gaze sweeping over the sprawling master bedroom with quiet reluctance."Miriam, would it be alright if I stayed in a guest room tonight?"

With practiced ease, Miriam offered a smooth excuse. "We ended up playing so late there wasn't time to ready one. Just spend another night here."

A faint discomfort prickled at Gabriela. "And...what about Mr.Moss?"

Loretta cut in before Miriam could speak. "He can keep sleeping in the study."

Gabriela found it a bit improper, yet Miriam gave her a gentle push through the doorway. "That's settled-Loretta and I are far too old to be staying up late.Good night."

Once she was nudged into Wesley's bedroom,Miriam and Loretta made their way toward the study to track down Wesley.

He had just stepped out of the shower, a faint curl of steam clinging to him as he worked a blow dryer through his damp hair.

The moment he spotted Loretta and Miriam entering together, a ripple of unease crossed his face.

"Grandma, Miriam-what brings you both here?"