Novel Square
Chapter 2190
Chapter 2190
Sylvia fiddled with the keychain in her hand, pleasantly surprised by its heft and fine craftsmanship. She had expected some cheap trinket from the store's promotional event, but this was unexpectedly well-made.
Looking up at Gabriel with a soft smile, she said, “I doubt you’d fancy this kind of thing, so I won’t bother offering you one.”
Gabriel nodded in agreement, “Keep them both!”
With a warm smile, Sylvia slid the keychains into her purse.
As they were nearly done with their meal, new customers entered the restaurant and strolled down the aisle past their table. Sylvia caught a glimpse of someone out of the corner of her eye and felt a twinge of recognition, but she pretended not to notice.
However, the man had already seen them.
“Hey, what a coincidence, Gabriel! Fancy meeting you here again!” Dannis called out with a sly grin, his eyes darting between Gabriel and Sylvia with a mix of provocation and glee.
Baron strolled up, his gaze darkening as he offered a smirk. “Ms. Jarvis, weren’t you under the weather and too busy to go out?”
Sylvia returned the smile politely, “Indeed, I wasn't feeling up to discussing business, so I had to take a rain check on our meeting, Mr. Barlow!”
Baron’s smile held a hint of sarcasm, “Well, I hope you recover quickly, Ms. Jarvis.”
“Thanks for the kind words!” she replied.
Dannis chimed in, “Since we’ve run into each other, how about we join tables and have a drink together?”
Gabriel looked up with an icy, distant tone, “No thanks, we’re just finishing up.”
His aura was unmistakably standoffish, and with a sharp look, he sent a chill down Dannis’s spine, silencing him.
Baron called over a waiter and pointed to Gabriel’s table, “Put their bill on my tab, and bring two bottles of your finest liquor.”
He looked at Gabriel with a cocky expression, insinuating, “Ms. Jarvis works hard for her money. Don’t let her foot the bill, Gabriel. Am I right?”
Sylvia’s smile cooled, “Thank you, Mr. Barlow, for your concern, but it's really not necessary. For those I choose to treat, I’d spare no expense. As for those I’d rather not deal with, no amount of begging would change my mind.”
Baron’s face darkened, “And who might you be referring to, Ms. Jarvis? Speak plainly!”
The false pleasantries were torn away, and the atmosphere grew tense, like a bowstring pulled taut.
Suddenly, Gabriel spoke, “Baron, your father’s promotion next month is a big deal. He worked hard to get there. Don’t make him celebrate too early.”
Baron was taken aback, his eyes widening in surprise.
Dannis, seizing the moment to defuse the situation, tugged Baron away, “Mr. Matz is waiting for us upstairs. We can chat with Ms. Jarvis some other time. Let’s go, Baron.”
With a suspicious glance at Gabriel, Baron followed Dannis upstairs.
Seated in the private room, Baron furrowed his brow in thought, muttering, “How does Gabriel know about my dad’s situation?”
“Maybe he overheard something?” Dannis guessed.
Baron shook his head, “It’s an internal decision, known only to a few. I only learned of it by overhearing a conversation between him and my grandfather outside the study. My dad didn’t even tell me, yet Gabriel knows!”
Dannis also found it strange, “Could Gabriel have connections we’re unaware of?”
The more Baron pondered, the more perplexed he became. He took out his phone and called his father directly.
“Dad, do you know a guy named Gabriel?” This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
His father's stern voice came through, “What are you up to now? I’ve told you to stop causing trouble, especially now. I don’t need any headaches!”
“It’s not about trouble. I’m just asking if you know Gabriel,” Baron said, clearly impatient.
“I don’t know him!” Darren Barlow replied firmly.
Reassured, Baron ended the call with a laugh, “Okay, got it.”
Hanging up, he sneered, “Trying to bluff me, huh?”
Dannis added, “He was in our class back in the day. He probably caught wind of something about your father still being in the army and wanted to spook us.”
Baron scoffed, “He almost had me fooled for a second there!”