Sorry My Step-Uncle, I'm Not Your Backup Plan novel Chapter 55

An hour later, Gabriella returned to Sarah's office, placing contracts on her desk.

"Task completed," she said coolly. "A five-year counsel contract with £150,000 already transferred. Plus three payment dispute cases and one patent infringement case, all with retainers paid. Total revenue: £800,000. Check with Finance if you don't believe me."

She showed Sarah the payment confirmations on her phone. "The firm's losses are covered."

Sarah stared at the contracts in disbelief, eyes widening at the signature. " Rodriguez Group... Randolph Rodriguez is your..."

"My father," Gabriella smiled.

The contracts slipped from Sarah's hands. "You're the Rodriguez heiress?"

After everything, Gabriella was done being modest. "Yes."

Sarah's phone rang before she could recover. The caller's panic was evident: "That lawyer of yours—how does she know Asher Blackwood? Our CEO's in hospital after his security team got to him, and now we're being audited. Word is Blackwood ordered it."

Sarah's face went pale. "You... you know Asher Blackwood?"

"My fiancé," Gabriella said coldly, "and the 'sugar daddy' your office has been gossiping about."

Sarah broke into a cold sweat. "I... I apologize. I had no idea you were Mr. Blackwood's fiancée..."

Only now did she realize how Grace Bennett had manipulated her. She'd followed Grace's instructions to target Gabriella, not daring to refuse the Blackwood ward's requests. But Grace had conveniently omitted that Gabriella was both the Rodriguez heiress and Asher Blackwood's fiancée.

Now Asher had personally witnessed their treatment of Gabriella and intervened. Would she be his next target?

The moment Gabriella left, Sarah called Grace.

"Miss Bennett, is Gabriella really Mr. Blackwood's fiancée?"

"Get to the point," Grace snapped. "I don't have time for this."

Her non-denial confirmed it. Sarah's panic rose. "You told me to target her but never mentioned she was engaged to Mr. Blackwood! I've inadvertently crossed him - you have to help me!"

"Don't be stupid," Grace sneered. "Why do you think I care about her at all if not for Asher? Help you? I have better things to do."

"I sent her to those predatory clients on your orders! If you won't help, I'll tell them everything! Do you want Mr. Blackwood knowing what you've been doing?"

Grace hated being threatened. "You dare blackmail me?"

"It's the truth, Miss Bennett. He's already dealt with those men. I'm next. If I go down, you won't escape unscathed."

"Just resign. I'll recommend you to another firm. If the Blackwoods investigate, claim ignorance about those clients. I'll protect you if needed, but breathe a word of my involvement and you'll regret it."

"As long as you don't abandon me," Sarah agreed, "your secret's safe."

The next day, leaving court after her hearing, Gabriella encountered Drake.

The slap echoed through the parking lot. "Get out of my way!"

Drake touched his reddening cheek, smirking. "Such force. Did you hurt your hand?"

"You're deranged!" She tried to leave but he blocked her path.

"Let me drive you," he insisted.

"Move!" She aimed a kick at him, genuinely angry now.

He dodged. "Such temper! What happened to that sweet, obedient girl I knew?"

Rolling her eyes, Gabriella headed for the parking lot.

Drake followed like a shadow. "Gabriella, I was wrong before. I was horrible to you. Give me another chance. Let me prove myself!"

"I'll be completely faithful this time, I swear. Just give me a chance!"

"Not interested," she said coldly, stopping beside a blue Bentley.

Drake froze at the sight of the car.