Chapter 197
“Idris needs his sister,” Dominick said. “Is there truly no way Zilia could live with her brother p>
“It’s not possible for them to be together,” Gabriel replied firmly, leaving little room for argument.
“I figured you’d say that,” Dominick muttered under his breath.
“Yet you brought it up anyway,” Gabriel said with a dry chuckle, rubbing the bridge of his nose as a weary sigh escaped him.
“I just felt bad for the kid,” Dominick admitted. “He’s been under strict surveillance for ten years. Did you know Zilia’s distant relative was assigned as his guardian? He barely got to see his sister, once a year, if that. When Idris told me everything, I couldn’t help but think… maybe we should find a way for them to stay together p>
“I’m not getting involved in Zilia’s personal matters or her brother’s situation,” Gabriel stated sharply. “If you want to pursue this, talk to Casaio. As for me, tomorrow is the reception. I’ll be returning to San Ravendale in two or three days. Before that, I need to gather intel on the Beta hunters p>
Dominick’s expression shifted at the mention of the hunters. He moved toward the window and leaned against the frame, sliding his hands into the pockets of his trousers.
“Juniper told me something odd earlier,” he said. “Apparently, her father kept quiet reports on the deaths of several Betas over the past few months. They weren’t high-ranking or politically significant, just regular Betas, the kind people forget easily. But now it seems like those deaths might not be isolated cases p>
Gabriel’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Now that’s worth looking into. I should meet her father.” He rose to his feet, ready to leave.
“I’ll accompany you,” Dominick offered.
“It’s fine,” Gabriel replied curtly. “I’ll ask Karmen to come with me. You should stay with Juniper p>
“June came here to see Amelie,” Dominick reminded him. “She couldn’t in the morning… because of me p>
“And Amelie is resting now,” Gabriel answered back. “Tell Juniper to visit her tomorrow.” Without sparing another word or glance, he strode out of the room.
As Gabriel moved through the grand hallway of the palace, his sharp eyes finally landed on Katelyn. She was returning from outside. He quickened his pace and intercepted her effortlessly.
“I’ve been looking for you,” he said.
“Whatever I said to Amelie wasn’t wrong,” Katelyn fired back. “She has no right to interfere in my life. Who does she think she is, telling Karmen to make it clear that he’d never want me? If you try to scold me again, I’ll tell Father p>
Gabriel remained silent for a moment, and Katelyn, sensing no immediate rebuttal, attempted to walk past him.
But his voice cut through the corridor, stopping her at once.
“She told him that because she knew you’d keep clinging to false hope, that my Beta might eventually give you a chance p>
Gabriel turned slowly, his gaze like sharpened steel. “Say whatever you want to me, but do not lay a finger on my wife with your words. And stop throwing Father’s name around like I’m supposed to tremble at the sound of it p>
Katelyn stiffened, her lips parting slightly, but no words came out.
“You call yourself Amelie’s friend, yet you chose to hurt her at the worst possible time,” Gabriel began coldly. “Maybe when you’re pregnant, you’ll understand just how vulnerable she is right now p>
He took a step closer and Katelyn took a step back.
“And selfish? You think she was selfish for choosing me? She didn’t choose anything, Kate. I chose her that night. So don’t twist the story to soothe your pride p>
His words struck with weight as he went on,
“You said she betrayed Flora, but do you even know what it feels like to be rejected? No, you don’t. You’ve had everything handed to you on a silver plate. All you do is idle away your time, parade your title, and gossip p>
Katelyn’s fists curled up on her sides as Gabriel kept throwing harsh words at her.
“You think I forgave you for what you did in the past just because Amelie accepts you as a friend? No, Kate. Don’t mistake silence for forgiveness. The day you cross the line again, I will punish you, just as I punished Jodie. Reflect on your words. And prepare yourself… to apologize to Amelie p>
“And what about Amelie?” Katelyn snapped, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and pain. “Was what she did right in your eyes p>
Gabriel didn’t hesitate in responding.
“Yes. I stand by her. As I told you before, Karmen doesn’t deserve a woman like you. And I’ll make sure my beta stays far from your manipulations p>
Katelyn’s breath hitched as her voice rose, cracking,
“You’re cruel, even to your own sister p>
“Then I guess you’ve only just figured that out,” Gabriel chuckled in a mocking tone.
He turned on his heel, prepared to walk away, but stopped dead in his tracks as he noticed their parents standing nearby. Raidan’s troubled gaze flicked between his children. Mabel, however, kept her sharp eyes locked on Gabriel.
“What are you two arguing about?” Raidan asked, his voice laced with concern. “What cruel thing Gabriel did this time p>
“Dad, it was about—” Gabriel began, but stopped as Katelyn’s hand clutched his wrist.
She stepped slightly forward as she looked at their parents.
“I was asking Brother Gabriel to help me with a certain work,” she said quickly, casting a brief glance at Gabriel, silently begging him to stay quiet. “But he kept refusing, so I lost my temper and called him cruel p>
Raiden narrowed his eyes slightly, but didn’t say anything.
Mabel, however, wasn’t so easily swayed.
“What kind of work, Kate?” she asked pointedly, eyes scanning her daughter’s face for any sign of dishonesty.
Katelyn’s fingers tightened slightly at her sides. “It’s nothing serious. Just something personal,” she replied.
“Gabriel, tell me what work your sister has from you?” Mabel asked her son this time.
Katelyn gulped hard and glanced at her brother. ’Please, don’t tell them,’ she requested as she mindlinked with her brother.
’Didn’t you call me cruel? It’s the right moment to show you cruel I can be,’ Gabriel said mentally.