Sorry My Step-Uncle, I'm Not Your Backup Plan novel Chapter 57

Rachel spent the entire day in Gabriella's office, begging. She'd tried every approach, but Gabriella wouldn't withdraw the case.

"Please, Miss Rodriguez," she was nearly on her knees. "Show mercy. A criminal record would end my legal career!"

"I'll do anything - be your servant!"

Gabriella regarded her coldly. "Not interested."

"There are plenty of careers out there," Gabriella patted Rachel's shoulder with mock sympathy. "Best of luck finding a new one!"

At day's end, Gabriella left with her colleagues. Suddenly, one grabbed her sleeve.

"Look at that gorgeous man!" she whispered excitedly.

Gabriella followed their gaze and stopped. Asher stood by his car, the autumn evening light softening his sharp features. His black coat fit his tall frame perfectly.

As if sensing her, he turned, their eyes meeting. He ended his call and walked over.

Her colleagues whispered excitedly.

"He's coming this way!"

"I should have worn makeup!"

"As if we'd have a chance anyway..."

Asher reached Gabriella, his deep voice warm. "Alex is hosting dinner. Victoria and Charlotte are there. Shall we join them?"

Her colleagues gasped at their obvious intimacy.

"This is my fiancé," Gabriella smiled, enjoying their shocked expressions.

The gossip had painted her "sugar daddy" as some unattractive older man. Yet here stood Asher, nearly six feet tall, more handsome than any actor, not even the young version of Leonardo DiCaprio.

Their previous assumptions crumbled as they offered congratulations, thoroughly chastened by reality.

In the private dining room, Gabriella told Asher about the office gossip.

"Know why they were so shocked to see you?" she smiled. "They'd convinced themselves my 'sugar daddy' was some unattractive older man."

Asher's eyes turned dangerous. "They spread rumors about you?"

"Don't worry, I handled it," Gabriella said calmly.

"They dared spread such lies?" Alex exclaimed. "Little sister, why didn't you tell us?"

WilGabbym smiled. "That's called devotion, not submission."

"Our Asher, the doting fiancé," Victoria added softly.

"By the way," Alex continued, "those two executives who harassed you? Their companies are being investigated for fraud. They're in custody and their businesses are ruined. Feeling better?"

Gabriella looked at Asher, his expression cold.

"I said they'd pay the price."

"They deserved it," Gabriella said, eating a piece of melon.

Then she remembered: "Alex, you still haven't told me about that guy Asher hurt."

"Well..." Alex glanced at Asher. "Think his name was Evan Davenport?"

Gabriella remembered him vividly. In her first year of secondary school, her close friend Emma had transferred to a different school due to family troubles. Gabriella would often wait for Emma after classes to go shopping.

Davenport was the school bully, using his family's money to gather a gang of followers. He'd set his sights on Emma, pursuing her aggressively.

One day, he'd followed Emma to the school gates where Gabriella was waiting.