Chapter164.
Outside the door stood Emma.
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She was still dressed in the same outfit from earlier. A white shirt paired with a form–fitting white skirt. The faint scent of alcohol on Gabriel made her thoughts drift. Gabriel wore black long–sleeve pajamas with a robe over them, his entire figure concealed. Emma held a file in her hand and spoke respectfully, “Mr. Campbell, this is an urgent document that just came in, it requires your signature.”
He didn’t take it.
Gabriel would never sign anything after drinking.
He’d rather forgo the project than make a decision while intoxicated.
Ezra knew this, but Emma didn’t.
She had intentionally come at this time, her outfit a little more figure–hugging than usual, highlighting her mature, well–shaped body.
But Gabriel’s eyes were cold, his voice harsh with barely concealed anger.
“Ms. Morris, if you can’t manage your tasks during work hours, go to HR and get a different job.”
Gabriel said this with the authority of a boss, with no room for niceties.
Emma’s face turned pale.
She quickly apologized, “Sorry, Mr. Campbell. I won’t do it again.”
She retracted the file and bent her waist in a sincere apology.“I’ll leave now, I didn’t mean disturb
your rest.”
She hurried out but noticed that Gabriel’s door was still open as she got into the elevator. It didn’t take much to figure out. He was probably watching her from across the hall
Emma’s face turned ugly, filled with rage.“Hazel, you ruined my life. Why do you get to enjoy the good things?” she thought to herself.
***
Hazel was unaware of what had happened across the hall.
After dinner, she quickly fell into a deep sleep, resting soundly until morning.
The next day, at the hotel restaurant, Hazel sat across from Johnson, her delicate wrist adorned with a translucent jade bracelet.
The two chatted comfortably, the atmosphere light.
Gabriel and Sebastian stepped off the elevator at the same time.
Since their encounter in front of Hazel’s room last night, there was an obvious tension between them.
Thoughts of the events they had overheard made them both stare at each other with cold glares, though their faces remained outwardly neutral.
Hazel sat by the window.
It was still early, and there weren’t many people in the restaurant. Both men took seats nearby.
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To Hazel’s surprise, they sat at the same table.
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Gabriel knew about the Stevens family and Hazel, so Sebastian was likely aware of his five–year marriage to Hazel.
Both of them believed the other had hurt Hazel, and both wanted to exact their revenge, their words sharp and pointed.
“I heard Mr. Campbell made a hard decision to send his beloved, the one he cherished for years, into a place where she’s taken care of. His courage really impresses me. Not many people can be that ruthless, Sebastian said.
“After all, Mr. Campbell ignored his wife for this ‘beloved‘ of his, even dining with her and his son in public, trending on social media.
“I believe I’m not mistaken… Wasn’t it just days after that trending event that Mr. Campbell’s wife left him, and they divorced?”
Sebastian’s voice was calm, but each word hit deep.
Gabriel narrowed his eyes at the mention of the past.
Five years ago, when Gabriel learned about the trending topic, he immediately ordered Ezra to have it removed within minutes.
Yet somehow, it was sent to Hazel.
And everything unfolded far too conveniently.
Hearing Sebastian’s words, Gabriel furrowed his brow, suspicious that Sebastian might have been behind it all.
The data from yesterday showed Sebastian’s frequent trips abroad, along with his purchase of an apartment near the University of Washington. Everything pointed to him having plans for Hazel Gabriel’s eyes darkened.“So, what if I’m divorced?”
Sebastian’s criticism didn’t bother him at all. His indifference made it seem like Hazel was nothing to him.
“You deserved to be divorced.”
was truly shocking. For a gentleman to speak so rudely and without grace But Sebastian couldn’t stand thinking about Hazel wasting five years with the man in front of him.
Gabriel paused, his hand tightening slightly on his coffee cup.
His gaze turned sharp as he stared at Sebastian, his voice chilling.“What’s your position to say such things?”
Sebastian chuckled lightly.“I’m… her childhood friend.”
“Childhood friend?” Gabriel scoffed.
His voice was icy and distant, just like the first impression he gave.
He didn’t say anything further, not wanting to reopen Hazel’s old wounds in front of her. Gabriel took a sip of his coffee.
He acted as though he didn’t care about Sebastian’s words.
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In truth, Gabriel knew that if time could rewind, Hazel might not have wanted those three years in Los Angeles. So, Sebastian was nothing to worry about.
The morning in the restaurant was quiet.
The conversation between the two men was clear to Hazel, who put down her fork and knife and glared at them.
“Are you two done yet?”
The other patrons at nearby tables turned and looked, but once they saw Gabriel and Sebastian, they quickly turned their heads away.
They knew that the Campbell Group and the Stevens Group were the two powerful competitors they’d have to face in the upcoming auction.
As for Hazel’s company, it was a small overseas business, nothing to be afraid of. They didn’t know the relationship between Hazel and the two men, so when they heard her yell at them, they all waited to see what would happen.
However…
Gabriel’s brows furrowed slightly, his lips pursed. He didn’t say anything further and showed no intention of scolding Hazel.
Sebastian, meeting Hazel’s eyes, paled. The words Roy had said last night echoed in his ears. If it was all true, he didn’t know how to face her.
He quickly lowered his head and continued eating.
Everyone fell silent. Wait, those two big shots just got scolded, and that was it? Hazel turned back to her breakfast, completely ignoring the frowning Gabriel and Sebastian who couldn’t bear to meet her gaze.
Johnson, sitting across from her, noticed both men’s expressions and a small, amused smile tugged at his lips.
He couldn’t wait for the day these two would have to bow to Hazel.
He believed that day wouldn’t be too far off.
After breakfast, Hazel and Johnson left. They were headed to the Red Pine Resort area to inspect the land again.
Gabriel and Sebastian didn’t linger.
As soon as
Hazel entered the elevator, they stood up and left the restaurant. At a table not far from them, a man with a plain appearance but a dangerous air, sat with his back to them. He was eating a steak, chewing it loudly with a fork.
Two men, reeking of aggression, walked quickly toward him.
“Boss, we’ve got the info.
“The woman
who crushed the Second Boss’s ‘precious jewels‘ is named Hazel.”
