Before Gabriel could respond, Mason quickly ran to the waiting driver. He climbed into the car and drove off without looking back.noveldrama

Gabriel watched the Cayenne disappear into the distance, narrowing his eyes slightly.

"Daddy!" Wilhelm shouted.

Feeling a tug at his leg, Gabriel looked down to find Wilhelm staring up at him, full of excitement.

"Daddy, why are you here to pick me up today?" Wilhelm asked.

Both Gabriel and Jane were usually so busy with work that they relied on the driver for school pickups and drop-offs. As a result, Wilhelm was rarely greeted by either parent.

When he saw his father standing outside the school gate, he almost couldn't believe it.

Gabriel smiled and lifted Wilhelm into his arms. "I finished work early today, so I thought I'd come pick you up. Did you have fun at school?"

"Mm-hmm. It was okay," Wilhelm said.

Gabriel noticed Wilhelm didn't seem unhappy, so he carried him toward the car and asked, "What would you like to eat tonight? I'll have the housekeeper prepare it in advance."

Wilhelm eagerly listed off several of his favorite dishes, his eyes lighting up with excitement.

Back home, father and son enjoyed dinner together, but Jane was still nowhere to be seen.

Wilhelm waited for a while, his little eyes drooping as he grew sleepier and sleepier. His head bobbed as he struggled to stay awake, nearly falling off the couch several times.

Gabriel steadied him and spoke softly. "Wil, Mommy's working late tonight. Why don't you go to bed first? When she gets home, I'll have her check on you. Okay?"

Disappointment flashed across Wilhelm's face. His parents had been so busy lately that it had been days since he'd seen his mother properly. "Okay," he murmured.

After asking the housekeeper to take Wilhelm upstairs to bed, Gabriel picked up a book and sat on the living room couch, reading.

It wasn't until close to midnight that Jane finally returned, looking completely exhausted.

Gabriel set the book aside and went to take her coat as she entered. "Rough day? Do you want me to give you a massage?"

Jane shook her head. "No, thanks. I need to pack. I have a business trip tomorrow."

"So soon?" Gabriel frowned. "Wil

et

waited for you all evening. He was so tired he finally fell asleep. He'll be upset if he wakes up tomorrow and you're gone."

"I can't help it," Jane replied with a sigh. "The company's supply chain is at a standstill. If we keep delaying, the losses will only increase. promise, once things settle down, I'll make it up to him."

"Okay. Let me help you pack. Do you want me to come with you? I don't have anything pressing right now," Gabriel offered softly.

Jane hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. "No, it's fine. I can handle it."

She was acutely aware of Pedro's distrust of Gabriel. Bringing him along would only invite more scrutiny, which she didn't need at the moment.

For Jane, nothing was more important than securing her position as general manager of the Wilkie Group and her status as the family successor.

If Pedro ever gave her an ultimatum-divorce Gabriel or give up the company-she knew what her choice would be.

When she married Gabriel, it had

been a passionate, impulsive decision, Now, she understood the importance of marrying someone who could be an asset to the Wilkie Group.

If she had chosen someone of equal standing, the Wilkie Group wouldn't have had to sell off an entire subsidiary to survive this crisis.

Gabriel pressed his lips together and nodded. "Alright."

After packing, it was nearly 1:00 a.m.

Jane took a quick shower and returned to the bedroom. Gabriel took out a hair dryer and began drying her hair for her.

As he put the dryer away, he casually said, "Jane, I've decided to look for a new job."