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

getting ridiculous. Time to cut them off

[Tonight. Scrumptuous Delights, room 0826.]

chosen for their so–called family reunion dinner, tailored to Olivia’s preferences, right down to

Miller mansion, James slapped his thigh. “The bitch finally replies. She wants

look of disdain, said, “As if we will let her off that easily. She has been nothing

subsequent tire fiasco, James thought, ‘Just my

21

Chapter 5

barely concealing her smugness, chimed in, “Mom,

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

of her

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

ached, wishing more than ever Olivia was her own.

knows what she’s capable of? We’re all going

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

suppress her

wrong, dear? Are you

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

Go rest,” Ella said softly, watching

her room, Olivia got a call from Lily. “Olivia, you have to

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

Gina.

names, so Olivia just

like Jack.

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

ears, and after getting the plan, a smug

cursing, “Gina, you bitch, your