Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 2888

It was already late at night when they got home. Seeing the living room lights still on, Sylvia felt a twinge of guilt, as if she’d been caught sneaking in after breaking the rules. She turned to Gabriel and asked, “What should we say if Grandpa asks why we’re back so late?”

And the fact that they’d come home together, no less!

Gabriel took her hand, his dark eyes deep and unreadable in the shadows. “Do we really need to explain?”

Sylvia smiled, the corners of her lips lifting, but as they entered the house, she gently pulled her hand free from his.

In the living room, Old Mr. Quintin and Old Mr. Jarvis were both awake, waiting for them while playing chess.

As soon as the housekeeper announced their arrival, Old Mr. Quintin got up and walked over, his eyes full of concern. “Nana, working late again?”

Sylvia greeted Old Mr. Jarvis and nodded with a smile. “Yes, you didn’t have to wait up for me, Grandpa.”

“I couldn’t sleep, so Jarvis and I decided to play a game,” Old Mr. Quintin said cheerfully. “Are you hungry? Should I have the kitchen make you a late-night snack?”

Gabriel cut in, “No need, we just ate.”

“Alright then, get some rest,” Old Mr. Quintin urged warmly.

“I’m going upstairs to bed, then. Goodnight, Grandpa. Goodnight, Old Mr. Jarvis,” Sylvia said with a gentle smile.

“Go on,” Old Mr. Jarvis nodded kindly.

Sylvia headed up the stairs, and Gabriel added, “I’m going to get some sleep too. Grandpa, Old Mr. Quintin, don’t stay up too late.”

*

Old Mr. Jarvis watched the two of them go upstairs, unable to hide his smile. He nodded, clearly pleased. “Looks like their relationship is getting even better.”

Old Mr. Quintin’s smile stiffened. He gave a dismissive grunt. “What relationship? They just happened to come back from working late together. Don’t overthink it.”

Old Mr. Jarvis was undeterred, sounding certain. “Keep telling yourself that. Sylvia likes Gabriel, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it.”

“I can stop her from marrying him!” Old Mr. Quintin shot back, deliberately provocative.

Vicky snapped, “I say the whole thing is Eugene’s scheme! Sylvia’s in PR, isn’t she? Maybe Eugene paid her off to win over the old lady, so she could swindle the inheritance and all the shares for herself!”

Mr. Winters, equally furious, said, “Troy from the H City branch was transferred today!”

Vicky was shocked. “Troy? Wasn’t he your right-hand man?”

“That’s exactly why Eugene had him transferred. He wants to dismantle my network, bit by bit, and push me out! Gladys getting fired today—that had to be part of his plan, too!” Mr. Winters’ face was clouded with anger. “I never realized Eugene could be this calculating. I really underestimated him.”

“With him scheming step by step, he’s about to kick us out of the company for good!”

“It won’t be that easy to get rid of us. Even if I have to go down, I’ll make sure he pays the price!”

...

As her parents argued on, Gladys listened with clenched teeth, her face cold and bitter. She had even introduced Evelyn to Eugene. Thinking back on it now, she realized just how blind she’d been.