Reborn Heiress Is Remarrying
Chapter 105: A Family Affair

Chapter 105: A Family Affair

Chapter 105: A Family Affair

The hospital room in a low light, the television mounted on the wall casting a dull glow as the news played in the background.

Gabriel was sitting in his office, his fingers steepled as he watched the morning coverage happen.

"Rachel Hoffman’s death continues to dominate headlines, raising questions about the powerful figures surrounding her. Meanwhile, whispers of undisclosed accounts and secret dealings spark further intrigue—"

Gabriel smirked slightly.

Their bait was working.

The media was biting exactly the way they had planned.

Now all they had to do was wait for the journalist, Henry Vaughn, to come running straight into their trap.

His phone beeped on the desk.

He glanced at the screen and saw Isla’s name.

Gabriel sighed, debating for half a second whether to ignore it.

But Isla didn’t call unless it was important.

Eventually, he answered. "Isla."

"Gabriel," she breathed, her voice was way too tight. "We need to talk. It’s urgent."

Gabriel frowned, immediately on his alert. "What’s wrong?"

"Father is hosting a dinner. Tonight."

Gabriel exhaled, dramatically. "Of course, he is."

"Gabriel, listen to me." Isla’s voice was full of desperation.

"You know how these dinners go. He’s going to be watching you, analysing everything you do. If you bring Diane—"

"I am bringing Diane." Gabriel’s voice left no room for argument.

Isla let out a frustrated sigh.

"Gabriel, please. I’m already bringing my sons to draw some of the attention away. I can make sure all eyes are on them, not her."

"She doesn’t need to be hidden," Gabriel said confidently. "And I’m not ashamed to bring her."

"This isn’t about shame," Isla snapped. "It’s about strategy. You know what Father is like. He’ll pick her apart, test her. And if she fails in his eyes—"

"She won’t."

Isla fell silent. Then, softer this time, "Are you sure about that?"

Gabriel’s jaw clenched. "I trust Diane."

"That’s not what I’m asking," Isla whispered. "I’m asking if she knows what she’s walking into."

Gabriel hesitated.

Isla sighed, sensing his doubt.

"I love you, Gabriel. But don’t throw her into this unprepared. Father isn’t just a man who controls fortunes—he controls futures. He will look at Diane and decide whether she fits. If she doesn’t—"

Gabriel’s grip on the phone tightened. "I don’t need his approval."

"You might not," Isla said quietly. "But she might."

The words hit deeper than Gabriel wanted to admit.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Gabriel inhaled slowly. "I appreciate your concern, Isla. But Diane isn’t fragile. She can handle him."

Isla made a disbelieving noise. "You really think that?"

Gabriel smirked. "I know it."

Isla sighed. "Fine. But don’t say I didn’t warn you."

Gabriel chuckled. "You always warn me. It never stops me."

She let out a small, dry laugh. "One of these days, it should."

Gabriel shook his head. "Not today."

Isla hesitated before speaking again. "Be careful with her, Gabriel."

His smirk faded. "Always."

He ended the call and set the phone down.

The things of what Isla had said remained and haunted his mind.

Diane didn’t need preparing. She had already survived worse than his father’s scrutiny.

But still...

Gabriel leaned back in his chair, drifting back to the news coverage.

Tonight was going to be a game.

And in games like these, there were always winners and losers.

Diane was in the kitchen, absently stirring her tea as she stared out the window.

The day had been long, and she was occupied with Arthur’s absence and the threats still circled them.

She needed a moment of peace.

She didn’t get it...

The moment Gabriel walked through the front door, she could tell he had something to say.

His moves were too careful, and his facial expression looked weird.

Diane sighed, setting her cup down. "Alright, what is it?"

Gabriel smirked, closing the distance between them. "We’re having dinner with my family tonight."

Diane immediately groaned, rubbing her temple. "Why?"

"Because my father is hosting," Gabriel said simply.

Diane’s eyes narrowed. "Is Isla going to be there?"

Gabriel hesitated for half a second. "Yes."

Diane rolled her eyes. "Great. Should I expect another ’accidental’ attempt on her life?"

Gabriel sighed. "She won’t do anything this time."

Diane scoffed. "You said that last time. And yet, somehow, a shrimp ended up in her mouth when she knew she was allergic."

Gabriel rubbed the back of his neck. "Okay, I’ll admit that wasn’t one of her more subtle moments."

Diane arched a brow. "That’s an understatement."

Gabriel stepped closer, placing a hand on her waist.

"She won’t try anything tonight. My father will be there, and trust me—she wouldn’t dare pull something under his watch."

Diane crossed her arms. "So, I just have to survive your father’s judgment instead?"

Gabriel smirked. "Exactly."

Diane exhaled heavily and quite dramatically. "You make a very compelling case."

Gabriel leaned in a little bit closer, lowering his voice.

"You can handle him."

Diane held his eyes, searching for any sign of doubt. She found none.

Finally, she sighed. "Fine. But if Isla even looks at my plate, I’m stabbing her with my fork."

Gabriel chuckled. "Fair enough."

"But why the sudden dinner? Especially when your father was absent for so long?"

Gabriel was curious about this as well...of course, he couldn’t think that his father had any kind of weird or suspicious intentions.

However, this was too strange...especially during this dramatic and scandalous moment to call everyone for dinner.

Gabriel’s father was a tough man. He was always in control of everything, and a little part of Gabriel knew that he got this from him.

"You know, Isla is his ’daughter.’"

"Yes, I know..." Diane rolled her eyes. "The one who’s very thankful for saving..." She looked back.

"I know you don’t like Isla, but please don’t show this in front of my father."

"Or what?" Diane raised an eyebrow. "You will leave me if your father doesn’t like me? Wasn’t he the one who approved our marriage in the first place?"

"He was...but he hated you and Richard..."