Chapter 2120


    Gabriel nodded, "Then let''s head back home."


    Estelle cautioned, "But keep this from Grandpa, okay?"


    "Got it," Gabriel replied, turning to start up his car. Evelyn and Estelle bid farewell to Sylvia as they


    climbed into the passenger seat.


    As the car pulled away, Sylvia turned to Estelle, "Is your hand still hurting?"


    "Not at all, just a scratch. You should head back too," Estelle said with a light smile.


    Sylvia expressed her concern, "That Antonia seemed unhinged. Even though she''s taken to the


    station today, they won''t hold her for long. You need to be extra careful. People like her can do


    crazy, unpredictable things."


    "I will be," Estelle assured her.


    "Alright, I''m off then," Sylvia waved goodbye to Estelle and turned to Eugene, "Let''s go."


    After making a couple of calls, Jonathan said to Estelle, "We should swing by the hospital to get that


    hand looked at."


    "It''s really not that bad," Estelle insisted, taking his hand. "Let''s not make a mountain out of a


    molehill. Home, please."


    Jonathan gave her hand one more look before helping her into the car.


    On their way to Old Mr. Quintin''s ce, Evelyn, still shaken by the memory of the acid bottle flying


    at her, asked Gabriel, "What''s with that woman''s vendetta against Estelle? Why would she hurt her?


    Is it something to do with Citadel?"


    Gabriel''s expression was cool. "She''s just a nutcase."


    Seeing Gabriel''s tense profile, Evelyn tried tofort him, "Don''t worry about Estelle. With the


    Lamont family looking out for her, she''ll be fine."


    Gabriel gave a slight nod and kept his eyes on the road, silent.


    Evelyn tried to lighten the stiff atmosphere, "I always knew Estelle could handle herself, but I had no


    idea Sylvia was also skilled. The way she threw those punches was seriously cool."


    Gabriel snorted, "She''s too concerned with appearances. All show and no substance—just knows a


    few shy moves."


    Evelyn''s curiosity piqued, "You know Sylvia?"


    She recalled how Gabriel had instinctively protected Sylvia from the acid attack and the familiar


    undertones in his voice when he spoke of her, despite his apparent disdain.


    Gabriel didn''t respond to her question.


    Evelyn continued, "The guy with Sylvia, is he her boyfriend? He''s quite handsome and seems very


    distinguished."


    "I wouldn''t know. Why don''t you ask her yourself?" Gabriel replied tly.


    For some reason, Evelyn sensed Gabriel was either irritated or simply unwilling to chat. Taking the


    hint, she closed her mouth and gazed out the window, leaving Gabriel to his thoughts.


    Meanwhile, Eugene, curious about themotion they had left behind, asked Sylvia what had


    happened.


    "A friend came over for a meal and ran into a lunatic," Sylvia exined.


    "I saw the acid bottles on the ground. You weren''t hurt, were you?" Eugene asked with concern,


    ncing over at Sylvia.


    Sylvia shook her head, looking out the car window.


    "Sylvia," Eugene called out.


    It took Sylvia a few seconds to respond, "Yes? What is it?"


    "What''s on your mind?" Eugene chuckled warmly, his eyes alight as he looked at her. "There''s a


    birthday party for a friend tomorrow. We all agreed to bring our dates. Would you, uh,e with


    me?"


    Sylvia declined politely, "Sorry, I''ve already made ns with a friend. I won''t be able to make it."


    Eugene smiled, "No worries, I''ll go solo then."Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org