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.

wasn’t until later that Gina finally had a moment to check her phone, only to find it bombarded with annoying messages from the Millers, who had even gone as far

to cut them off for good,

reply was curt. [Tonight. Scrumptuous Delights, room 0826.]

the restaurant that the Miller family had 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 anyone cared.

back at the Miller mansion, James slapped his thigh. “The bitch finally replies. She wants us at

we will let her off that

with Gabriel and the subsequent tire fiasco, James

21

Chapter 5

“Mom, bro, let me

worried, protested, “Honey, how can I let you face her alone? What if she lashes out? You’ve already

her

the fortune teller said I’m blessed. I can handle her curse. Let me

wishing more than ever Olivia was her own. Fate’s cruel jokes. She sighed.

up for dealing with that menace. She doesn’t even spare Liam. Who knows what she’s capable

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

her glee,

asking, “What’s wrong, dear? Are you

in my room.” Olivia feigned weakness,

softly, watching Olivia

call from Lily. “Olivia, you

rolled her eyes, annoyed at Lily’s stupidity for getting caught red–handed by a trustee during her attempt to

Gina.

drop any names, so Olivia just assumed it was

like Jack.

sweat the small stuff. I won’t even have to lift

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

roadside, cursing,