Chapter 77

Only a few days remained before the New Year, and the streets were silent, almost abandoned.

Billy kept the car moving briskly, reaching the Midnight Oasis bar in just under thirty minutes.

Its exterior leaned toward a gothic mood-murals of shadow-thick forests, inky vines, and watchful ravens stretched across the walls. By contrast,a patch of emerald-green plants formed a neat little garden near the entrance, a touch of life breaking the darkness.

The mix of styles gave the place an odd yet memorable charm.

Midday left the bar nearly empty, its quiet settling like a soft echo in the air.

Gabriela cast Billy a knowing glance. "That's quite a drive, Mr. Clarke. Just give me a little time, and I'll take you out for lunch," she promised lightly.

Billy opened his mouth to decline, but Gabriela had already slipped out of the car.

She had arranged everything beforehand with the bar's owner, and before she even crossed the threshold, a tall, broad-shouldered man strode out,his deep voice carrying easily. "Gabriela! Finally,you're here!"

Flashing him a warm, easy smile, she replied, "Hey,Tyler.Been a long time."

Tyler Jordan owned the place.

Years back, when Marie's gambling habit had spiraled out of control, she'd racked up overthree hundred thousand in debt. Tyler's father had been among the creditors-holding an IOU from Marie for twenty thousand.

With Gabriela's mother's help, Marie could have wiped out all her debts.

Just a day before she secured the funds, Tyler's father went to collect money from another debtor.The man, crushed under the pressure, jumped into the river, and the incident spiraled into tragedy.

The man's death brought the police down on Tyler's father, who was sentenced to twenty years in prison -and he had yet to see freedom.

Unlike his father, Tyler refused to walk the same ruinous path. He worked hard, saved every penny,and eventually opened his own bar, determined to live clean. Back in Gabriela's high school days,she had worked as a bartender at Tyler's bar.

Her striking looks and natural charm drew customers in without her even trying, turning the bar into a livelier spot whenever she was around.

Tyler had always been the dependable sort-steadfast, straightforward, and protective. To him,Gabriela was just a poor girl trying to save up for tuition, and he quietly took it upon himself to look out for her.

Over time, their easy conversations turned into Back when he first learned about her suffering, Tyler had reacted the same way-threatening to rally his friends to grind Phyllis's bones and win back Gabriela's house.

Years had passed, but his hot-headed streak was as fierce as ever.

Gabriela chuckled, shaking her head, "No need for an army this time, Tyler. Just help me record a quick video."

"Name it and it's done," he said without hesitation."What do you want me to say?"

Pulling out her phone, Gabriela adjusted the camera and hit record.

Once the matter was wrapped up, Tyler insisted she stay for lunch.

"I've got a friend waiting outside," Gabriela said with a quick smile. "I'll bring him in to join us."

She jogged out to the curb, waved Billy over, and ushered him inside before introducing him to Tyler. Tyler clasped Billy's hand in a firm shake. "So, you're Gabriela's boss, huh? Quite the high achiever." His grin widened as he added, "Gabriela is at a top university, and she'll graduate with a master's degree next year. She's every bit as impressive. You make sure you take good care of her."

Billy kept his reaction to himself, though inside he marveled that Gabriela had such a capable friend.

A thought crossed his mind-was Wesley meant to hear about this,given his possessive streak?

Before long, Tyler had filled the table with steaming,fragrant dishes and threw down a challenge for Billy to drink against him.

Gabriela leaned in, her voice light but resolute. "Not happening. He's the one behind the wheel later."

Respecting the reminder, Tyler simply chuckled and poured himself a few cups instead.

When the last plate was cleared, Billy found Tyler surprisingly likable,the kind of man he could trust. Tyler, feeling the same, treated Billy as though they'd already shared years of friendship. "Swing by whenever you've got time, man. I know a guy like you might think we're a bit rough around the edges,butl stick by my friends. I've got plenty of friends I can call on, and if you ever run into trouble, I'll back you up without a second thought. Gabriela's had a hard road-do me a favor and keep an eye out for her.I owe you one."

As they stepped out of the bar, Billy remarked with a hint of amusement, "Your friend's got quite the passionate streak, Miss Haynes."

Gabriela's smile warmed. "Tyler really is a wonderful person."

Billy gave a slight jolt, as if her words had caught him off guard. Wesley could never know about this.

On their way back to the Moss Manor, the place was already buzzing with activity.

With Gabriela absent, lunch duties fell to Loretta and Miriam, who laid out braised ribs, steamed fish,stir- fried beef, and a few simple side dishes.

They avoided onions and celery, which Wesley couldn't stand, and left out any trace of chili.

Yet for all its effort, the spread lacked the warmth of Gabriela's cooking.

Loretta had been feeding Wesley for more than ten years, but today every bite tasted flat, as if the flavor had been drained away.

He toyed with hisfork but barely ate a bite.

Brenden leaned over with a mischievous grin."How come Gabriela's not in the kitchen today? I've been dreaming about those BBQ ribs she makes."

A cold shadow crossed Wesley's face.

Loretta cut Brenden a sharp look before setting down a plate of fish. "What, you think she works here just to feed you? Eat your fish."

Gabriela's hefty daily rate was meant to coax Wesley into opening his heart-not to give Brenden someone boss around in the dining room.

Brenden sat frozen in disbelief.

No mouthwatering dishes from Gabriela today-and now this dreadful, overcooked fish? The day was ruined.

Meanwhile, Gabriela had no idea Wesley was quietly pining for her cooking.

She was absorbed in messaging Aubrey.

Although Wesley had already wiped every trace of the scandal from trending topics, the netizens hadn't forgotten.

Comments still seethed with anger, accusing Gabriela of throwing her weight around and lashing back because she had something to hide.

Though the trending topics about her had disappeared, public anger still simmered.

Relentless critics drifted to other popular platforms,publishing long tirades that dragged Gabriela into even larger conversations.

Before long, the scandal reached people who neither followed celebrity gossip nor touched Instagram.

Some influential figures insisted Gabriela had no moral compass and was nothing but an ingrate.

Their words ignited another wave of outrage,with uninformed netizens piling on and hurling ugly insults her way.

By the end of the day, Gabriela's name was dirt,her reputation beyond repair.

Aubrey fumed behind her phone, locked in an endless online brawl, trading blow after blow with strangers in Gabriela's defense.

She sent Gabriela a furious message. "Have Mr.Moss handle these fools and get their accounts wiped out."

In her eyes, these nobodies had no right to hurl such vile insults at Gabriela. Gabriela offered an assurance. "I've alreadythought of a way to handle it. Just breathe, Aubrey. Don't lower yourself to their level."

But Aubrey's temper refused to cool.

The attacks online were far too vicious, and if the truth wasn't cleared up soon, once work started again, their colleagues would inevitably look at Gabriela with contempt.