Chapter 285: Anne’s heart was full of gratitude.
"But it’s a good thing they finally found their missing daughter," Dimitri said, a flicker of admiration in his voice. "And it’s Anne, Augustine’s wife." A proud smile tugged at his lips.
But Gabriel’s reaction was far from pleased. His irritation mounted, his fists curling slightly at his sides. Anne—someone who had once been a nobody, an orphan taken in by a modest household—had now risen to stand among the elite. Not only had she been welcomed into the Granet family, but she carried the bloodline of Margaret’s powerful maternal family, the Gildon household, as well. With all that behind him, Augustine was quickly becoming untouchable.
The thought churned in Gabriel’s mind like acid. Augustine was now in a position to challenge everything—business, reputation, even legacy. And worst of all, he would have Oliver’s backing, which he had wanted for himself, for Denis.
Gabriel couldn’t handle it. This revelation had crushed all his hopes and dismantled his carefully laid plans. Now, he’d have to rethink everything and start from zero to figure out a new way to deal with Augustine.
He abruptly stood, ready to leave.
Dimitri looked up, puzzled. "What’s the matter? You are leaving already? Dinner is about to be served."
Gabriel didn’t meet his gaze. "I just remembered something urgent," he muttered. "Enjoy the evening with Jeanne. Denis will be joining soon. I’ll eat with you another time."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and strode out of the house, the tension trailing behind him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The car rolled to a quiet stop in the driveway as twilight settled over the city. Augustine stepped out first and came around to open Anne’s door. She stepped out slowly, still wrapped in the warmth of everything that had happened, her mind drifting through the day’s memories like a dream she wasn’t ready to wake up from.
The images of Margaret’s embrace, Nathan’s support, and even Oliver’s tearful apology echoed in her mind. For the first time in her life, she felt rooted.