When She Stops Playing Nice

Chapter 5

Gina looked down on Lily, who was crying her eyes out. She knew well Lily’s tears weren’t about remorse but fear of punishment.

With a cold laugh, Gina commanded, “Scram.”

‘Idiot, Gina thought, unwilling to waste another second on her.

Lily scrambled away, too flustered to even greet Jack as she made her exit.

Gina glanced at Gabriel and said coolly, Thanks. Goodbye.”

“Need a ride?” Gabriel’s gaze was fixed solely on Gina as if she were the only one in the world.

Gina felt uneasy under Gabriel’s unexplained eagerness, thinking. ‘Mr. Jackson, suddenly playing the good Samaritan? Doesn’t quite fit.

“No, thanks,” she replied.

No sooner had Gina declined than Gabriel whipped out a business card, gently grabbing her hand and placing the card in her palm.

*Call me for anything. Gabriel offered, his voice soft.

Jack watched in disbelief, internally marveling. I can’t even snag Mr. Jackson’s direct line. Is he into her or something”

Despite her reluctance to owe anyone anything, Gina didn’t want to snub Gabriel in front of others, so she accepted the card.

Gabriel’s gaze lingered on Gina’s retreating figure until she vanished from sight.

He felt a sense of relief that Gina appeared unharmed.

with annoying messages from the Millers, who had even gone as far as changing their numbers to harass her.

is getting ridiculous. Time to cut them off for good, she thought.

curt. [Tonight.

chosen for their so–called family reunion dinner, tailored to Olivia’s preferences, right down to the excessive cilantro in every dish, despite Cina’s disdain for it. Gina had barely touched her food that day, not that

“The bitch finally replies. She wants us at Scrumptuous Delights. Thinks a

disdain, said, “As if we will let her off that easily. She has been nothing but a jinx to us

his near–miss with Gabriel and the subsequent tire fiasco, James thought,

21

Chapter 5

her smugness, chimed in, “Mom,

protested, “Honey, how can I let you face her alone? What if she lashes

of her

appear noble, Olivia replied, “Don’t worry, mom. Remember, the fortune teller said I’m blessed.

heart ached, wishing more than ever Olivia was her own. Fate’s cruel jokes. She

spare Liam. Who knows what she’s capable of? We’re all going tonight, see what this brat is plotting!”

worry, sweetheart. I won’t let her humiliate you. We’ll have her begging

suppress her

instantly tensed, asking, “What’s wrong, dear? Are

fine, mom. I’ll go rest up in my room.” Olivia feigned

Ella said softly, watching Olivia

got a call from Lily. “Olivia, you have to help me

getting caught red–handed by a trustee during her attempt to sabotage.

Gina.

any names, so Olivia just assumed it was some

like Jack.

small stuff. I won’t even have to lift a finger. Just do

plan, a smug grin took over her face. “Got it.”

the roadside, cursing,