Sorry My Step-Uncle, I'm Not Your Backup Plan novel Chapter 76

Gabriella lowered her gaze, her eyes moving downward.

Asher was holding her hand, their fingers intertwined. His voice carried a mocking edge: "Reunite? As if Gabriella would give such rubbish a second glance now that she's with me."

Crude, perhaps, but not untrue.

Gabriella smiled demurely, playing along by leaning closer to him, nestling against his side like a contented bird seeking shelter. "Asher's absolutely right. There's only room for him in my heart now. Why would I spare a thought for some forgettable mistake from my youth?"

Drake's smile froze, his expression darkening.

"A forgettable mistake from my youth." Her words stung.

Was that truly how she saw him? As something so utterly insignificant?

Drake's hand tightened into a fist at his side as he struggled to control his anger and resentment.

Simultaneously, a flash of jealousy crossed Grace's eyes, almost imperceptible. She silently gritted her teeth, mentally cursing Gabriella a thousand times over.

Victoria jumped in with a deliberately pointed tone: "Well, Miss Bennett, perhaps this explains why your family has such a questionable reputation. Chasing after someone Gabriella grew bored with—rather desperate, isn't it?"

"Who are you calling 'someone she grew bored with'?" Drake snapped, unable to contain himself any longer.

Eliza's face flushed with anger. She was about to argue with Victoria but caught sight of Sebastian standing behind her and thought better of it.

She couldn't afford to antagonize the Darwin family.

"I'm talking about you," Victoria replied coolly, crossing her arms and regarding Drake with open disdain.

"So you're Drake Ashcroft? Dating you seems to be like having a criminal record for Gabriella. Thank goodness she came to her senses and gave you the boot. Otherwise, I might have had to hold a knife to her throat to force her to break things off. Weren't you back with your 'perfect ex' or whatever? Why not bring her out for a stroll on such a lovely day?"

Drake was practically apoplectic with rage.

As he appeared on the verge of losing control completely and launching into a tirade against Victoria, Grace quickly grabbed his arm. "Come now, let's all stop arguing. This is just a misunderstanding. It's my fault entirely—I had no idea Drake and Gabriella were previously involved."

Grace bit her lip lightly, her eyes filling with tears as she looked at her brother, the picture of a wounded innocent.

"Brother, I truly didn't know Drake was Gabriella's ex-boyfriend. I thought... I thought he was simply Eliza's friend, nothing more... Brother, you won't blame me, will you?"

Asher was about to speak when Gabriella beat him to it, mimicking Grace's affected manner: "Sister, it was merely an innocent mistake. How could I possibly blame you? Your brother won't blame you either."

Asher wasn't certain what Gabriella was planning, but he supported her unconditionally. With a cold expression, he replied, "If Gabriella doesn't blame you, then neither do I."

Grace was momentarily speechless, looking at Gabriella in confusion. Gabriella offered her a sweet smile that sent chills down Grace's spine. What was this woman plotting?

Gabriella laughed inwardly. If Grace wanted to play games, they would see who would end up more uncomfortable.

James, who had been silently observing the drama unfold, finally spoke up: "Let's not all stand about like this. We should have something to eat and rest before the hike. We'll need our energy for the climb."

The spectators dispersed. Everyone began setting up camping tables and chairs, laying out tablecloths, and arranging the evening meal preparations.

Portable grills, charcoal, camping stoves, cookware—all the necessary equipment was available. Everyone busied themselves, some preparing the barbecue, others working on hearty stews.

Gabriella and Victoria gravitated toward the barbecue station together.

Victoria whispered: "Why don't you just send him packing?"

The "him" in question was Drake.

Gabriella calmly basted a rack of lamb with herb butter. "It wouldn't work. I've tried several times before. He'd just turn up again another day."

"Gabriella, I was right, wasn't I? This Grace Bennett is absolutely devious. Would you sooner believe she didn't know Drake was your ex, or that I'm bloody Queen Victoria reincarnated?"

Still holding Gabriella in his arms, Asher drawled lazily: "Rubbish. Love smells perfectly delightful."

Meanwhile, Grace watched Asher and Gabriella's public display of affection with barely contained rage, her knuckles white as she clenched her fists.

When the food was ready, everyone gathered around the tables to eat.

They had arranged two tables—Gabriella, Asher, Sebastian, James, Charlotte, and Victoria naturally gravitated to one, while Grace, her two friends, and Drake took the other.

Just as Gabriella and Asher sat down, Grace approached with a steaming bowl.

She placed it on the table in front of Asher, leaning down so closely she was practically pressed against him.

"Brother, I've made some beef stew. Try some."

Asher shifted subtly toward Gabriella to create distance between himself and Grace, then casually pushed the bowl toward Gabriella. "Gabby, it's beef stew—your favorite. Have a taste."

Grace's smile froze on her face.

Gabriella picked up a fork and sampled a tender piece of beef.

After finishing the morsel, she turned to Grace with a sweet smile. "Mmm, it's quite good. Thank you, sister."

That wasn't the end of it. Asher took the fork and speared a buttery potato, feeding it to Gabriella. "Try this one."

The others around the table watched this display with inward admiration for Asher's tactics.

They thought: Well played—he's managed to politely refuse his sister while simultaneously pleasing his fiancée. BrilGabbynt!

Victoria, always ready to fuel the drama, chimed in: "Aren't they just the sweetest couple? Always displaying their affection. Grace, look how utterly devoted your brother is to your future sister-in-law."