Chapter 212 Vicky Barnes
At noon, the four of them sat in a cozy diner, each enjoying noodles.
After a brief respite, they apanied Zoe to the exam center.
The afternoon session, whichmenced at three, was all about mathematics-a subject that often
gued students with challenges.
The test was to end at five, but at half-past four, Zoe was the first to emerge,ing out of the test
center!
Under the curious gazes of parents waiting outside, Zoe seemed to have an air of a star who had
finished her performance.
A few mothers couldn''t help themselves and inquired, "Hey, was the math test tough this year?"
Zoe offered an ambiguous reply, "Moderately challenging."
However, the conversation from the middle-ageddies carried a hint of disdain as they whispered,
"If she''s out early, it''s probably because she''s not good at math. Can''t answer the questions, I bet!"
Overhearing the whispers, Gabriel couldn''t hold back his anger.
He shot a stern nce at the mothers, who seemed oblivious to Zoe''s math prowess.
Throughout their senior year, he had never witnessed Zoe scoring below A in math!
"Zoe, how did it go?" Gabriel asked with a beaming smile.
"It should be a perfect score," Zoe responded casually.
She had never disclosed to anyone that she consistently scored perfectly in math in previous
exams. Her humble facade included intentionally making a few mistakes to avoid showing off.
However, on the day of SAT, there was no need for such modesty!
"That''s fantastic, Zoe! What do you feel like eating? Dinner is on me tonight!" Gabriel was thrilled.
This was the power of talent and self-assurance!
He threw a final irked look at the gossiping mothers before hailing a cab with hispanions.
After safely escorting Zoe back to Ster Estate, Gabriel had a few words with Blind John, ensuring
he remained close to protect Zoe.
Then, he hopped in a cab to reach the Dark Night Club.
Meeting the woman from Gumoldur n of Ghostly Purgatory Hall was essential!
As the elevator doors slid open on the ninth floor, Gabriel was greeted by the radiant dome of
Thomas''s bald head.
"Boss, she''s in the meeting room, having a conversation with Mr. Leon," Thomas respectfully
informed him.
Gabriel teased, "Whoa, your shiny head nearly blinded me!" He patted Thomas''s scalp and slipped
into the office.
He waved to Thomas and whispered, "You go on ahead; I''ll be there in a moment."
He had to apologize to Ste for the incident involving her car.
Thomas was astute and made himself scarce, never to pry into Gabriel or Ste''s affairs.
Inside the office, Gabriel approached Ste, who was engrossed in her work.
Rubbing his head awkwardly, he began, "Ste, I hope you won''t be too upset, but I''ve totaled your
car."
"Totaled it?" Ste paused her work, gazing at Gabriel with wide-eyed surprise. "Aren''t you on your
way to drop Zoe off for her exam? How in the world did you wreck the car?"
Ste knew Gabriel was a skilled driver, so it was hard to fathom how he had managed to damage
her car.
Gabriel chuckled, "It''s quite the tale. Today, while I was taking Zoe to her exam, we ran into a bunch
of ruthless killers in a SUV. We got into a brawl, and your car collided with theirs. Long story short,
it''s totaled."
"Killers?" Ste was bbergasted and her eyes darted to Gabriel''s left hand, now wrapped in
bandages.
She had initially been indifferent, but suddenly, she was filled with concern. She rose from her chair
and approached Gabriel, the click of her high heels sounding with each step. "Is your hand okay?"
"It''s just a scratch, nothing to worry about," Gabriel reassured her, feeling relieved by her genuine
concern. "I''ll have Thomas buy you a new carter, and you can simply charge it to my ount."
"You don''t need to fret about the car; as long as you''re safe." Ste let out a sigh of relief, still
somewhat worried.
With Gabriel''s current influence, she couldn''t fathom why anyone would send assassins after him.
It seemed like he would always live life on the edge.
As his partner, she anticipated a lifetime of perpetual anxiety.
"As long as you''re not mad, that''s all that matters," Gabriel smiled and left the office.
However, he suddenly returned, "How about I get you an SUV this time? It''s more spacious. Who
knows, we might need that extra room for... other activities next time."
"Get out!"
These words instantly riled up Ste. She clutched the pen in her hand and flung it towards Gabriel.
This infuriating guy had an endlessly filthy mind!
"Missed!" Gabriel quickly dodged her projectile, his head moving to the side.
Ever since that thrilling encounter with Ava in the car, he couldn''t deny that it had an exciting edge.
He needed to find an opportunity to have a simr experience with Ste.
As he approached the door of the ninth-floor conference room, he cleared his throat, pulling himself
together.
He pushed open the door, and Leon immediately stood up respectfully, saying, "Mr. Gabriel!"
Gabriel nodded and squinted his eyes, his gaze quickly falling on an alluring woman.
She looked to be around 35 or 36, stunningly beautiful and exuding a mature charm that tantalized
the senses.
Her wavy, brown hair bore a striking resemnce to Ste''s foxy eyes.
While her eyes weren''t as striking as Ste''s, they were equally seductive, as if they were able to
speak with a teasing subtlety.
The woman wore a constant smile, and her left cheek bore a charming dimple, adding a yful
touch to her allure.
Her curvaceous figure was plump but not excessive.
The body-hugging dress emphasized her ample curves while her waist remained slender, giving her
posterior amanding presence.
The sight of this woman brought to Gabriel''s mind a saying: "Only an experienced man knows the
supremacy of a mature woman."
"You must be Gabriel, right? You''re incredibly handsome!" The woman smiled seductively, her smile
so captivating it set the heart racing.
Gabriel sat across from her and immediately caught a whiff of a tantalizing scent.
He grinned, "I have to thank my parents for passing down these excellent gic traits. How should
I address you, Miss?"
"Vicky Barnes!" Vicky extended her fair right hand.
"Wow, that''s a lovely name!" Gabriel shook her hand, feeling its softness.
After a hearty handshake, he released it. "So, Miss Vicky, what brings you here to me? Please,
have a seat."
With that, he motioned for Leon and Thomas to sit.
Vicky furrowed her brow sweetly, her voice soft, "I''vee here to seek refuge with you, Mr.
Gabriel. I hope you won''t look refuse me."
Sitting down, Leon, who had been silent, exined, "Mr. Gabriel, Miss Vicky is the n Head of the
Gumoldur n of Ghostly Purgatory Hall. There was an internal conflict in the Gumoldur n
recently. After a fierce battle, Miss Vicky'' subordinate, the Crow, seized control of the n and even
attempted to kill her to silence her."
N?velDrama.Org content.
"It''s now confirmed that the Crow secretly aligned with the King of the Underworld and orchestrated
this rebellion to seize power."
"Miss Vicky can''t turn to the headquarters for support because most of its power has fallen under
the control of the King of the Underworld."
"Miss Vicky was pursued all the way here. She has reached a dead end and hase to seek
refuge with you, Mr. Gabriel."
Vicky kept nodding in consent, looking rather pitifyl.
Gabrielprehended the situation. He hadn''t expected that this woman should be a n Head
Gumoldur City was an extremely prosperous city, so it was safe to assume that the Ghostly
Purgatory Hall was a formidable force there, far more significant than the Silverwood n in
Silverwood City.
To have control over Gumoldur n suggested that Vicky was no ordinary person.
The present events were also linked to the King of the Underworld.
He recalled how the King of Wheels had brought the half-human creatures to attack him earlier. And
these men were associated with the King of the Underworld.
The enemy of your enemy is your friend.
Even though he couldn''t yet gauge Vicky'' intentions, this situation was worth meddling in.
With a warm smile, he assured her, "Miss Vicky, rest assured, you are at home here in Silverwood.
Regardless of whether he''s the King of the Underworld or any other ''king,'' I''ll make sure to protect
you!"