Chapter 3 Twice Betrayed

It was only at that moment that Gabriela recognized the woman she had helped. She was Alexander's mistress.

"Hurry, go get-"

Before Gabriela could finish calling for security, someone shoved her aside, and the young woman's frantic voice rang out.

"You're looking for a woman, right? Take her instead!"

The sudden betrayal stunned Gabriela. She stared in disbelief at how quickly the woman turned on her, even after being helped.

The young woman barely made it a few steps before one of the men grabbed her again.

"You're so ungrateful. She helped you out of kindness, and this is how you thank her?" He spoke lightly, almost teasing, while his eyes stayed on Gabriela, studying her from head to toe.

"What a beauty."

Her clear skin, long legs, and striking features made her stand out instantly.

Drawn in by her appearance, the man stepped closer without hesitation.

"Hey, gorgeous. How about we get along? Say yes, and I'll deal with her for you. Sounds fair?"

His eyes flickered with intent as his hand reached toward her shoulder.

"Alright," Gabriela replied, a faint smile forming, though it carried no warmth. She caught his wrist, leaned forward, and flipped him onto the floor in one smooth motion.

Without wasting time, she picked up a bottle and smashed it against the wall. The sharp sound cut through the air.

Holding the broken glass toward them, her gaze turned cold and dangerous. "Anyone else want to try?"

Her sudden move shocked them, and none of the men dared step forward. Eventually, they scattered.

At the same time, Alexander started to feel uneasy. He stood up and began looking for his mistress, and the disturbance nearby drew his attention. When he arrived, he saw everything that had just happened.

"Alex, I'm so scared!" As soon as the young woman saw him, she pulled away from the man gripping her and rushed into his arms, tears pouring down her face.

"What happened?" Concern filled Alexander's expression as he gently wiped away her tears.

With a hesitant glance toward Gabriela, the young woman, Kylie Palmer, spoke in a small voice. "She wasn't the one behind this..."

Instead of reassuring him, that explanation only deepened Alexander's suspicion.

"Ella, why are you here?" he asked, disbelief clear in his tone.

In his mind, Gabriela never stepped into places like this, so there could only be one reason. She must have followed him.

Everything suddenly made sense to him. He assumed she had found out about his affair and arranged for these men to trap her.

Any trace of guilt he once felt disappeared, replaced by a look of clear disapproval.

"When did you become this cruel? She's an innocent woman. She isn't a threat to you. You're going too far."

Hearing his accusations, Gabriela found the situation absurd, almost laughable. "Do you even hear what you're saying?"

How could he still act so self-righteous after being caught cheating?

Alexander's expression stayed firm. "I understand you're jealous, but..."

Before he could continue, Gabriela grabbed a nearby bottle and poured its contents over his head.

"Have you lost your mind?" Soaked through his expensive suit, Alexander stared at her in shock.

Without a hint of emotion, Gabriela smashed the bottle near his feet and turned away as if he no longer existed.

A sharp cry slipped out as glass scattered across the floor. Kylie clutched his arm tightly and hid behind him.

"Are you okay?" Alexander immediately pulled her closer, his voice full of concern.

When he looked back at Gabriela, anger burned in his eyes. He seized her wrist with force. "Gabriela, stop right there and apologize to Kylie."

Gabriela's eyes dropped to his hand, where the veins stood out from his tight grip, before she met his gaze again in silence.

"You almost hurt her. It's just saying sorry. Why make it difficult?"

To him, it was nothing serious.

All it took was a few words, yet Gabriela had no intention of giving them.

A chill filled Gabriela's gaze, sharp enough to make Alexander hesitate, and his grip loosened without him realizing it.

As soon as he felt her slip free, his expression shifted, anger and embarrassment flashing across his face.

"Don't push it!" he snapped, reaching out for her again.

Disgust showed on her face as she moved back to avoid him. Her foot came down on broken glass, and she lost her balance, falling backward.

Fragments covered the floor, and Kylie secretly wished Gabriela would land face-first and be left with scars.

"Ella..." Caught off guard, Alexander lunged forward, trying to grab her, but he couldn't reach her in time.

Gabriela shut her eyes, bracing herself for the impact that never came.

Instead, a faint woody scent surrounded her, and when she opened her eyes, a stranger was right in front of her.

"Are you okay?" His voice was low and steady, carrying a cold edge.

Something about that voice stirred a sense of familiarity, and her heart quickened, though she couldn't place it.

"Who are you? Let her go!"

Seeing the man's arm around her waist, Alexander rushed over, anger burning in his eyes.

Even as his wife, Gabriela had pulled away from his touch. How could he stand seeing another man lay a hand on her?

Before Alexander could get close, a strong force shoved him aside.

"Should I call the police?" The man gave Alexander a brief glance before focusing on Gabriela, his tone calm yet firm.

A surge of resentment rose in Alexander toward the stranger who had appeared out of nowhere.

"I'm her husband! This is our matter. Stay out of it!"

"Oh?" The man lifted a brow, a faint smirk forming. "Your wife is injured, and you didn't even notice. That doesn't look like concern to me."

It was only then that Alexander noticed the blood trickling from Gabriela's right hand, and panic hit him at once.

The man let out a mocking laugh. "Someone this careless shouldn't be anywhere near you. Imagine living with him and getting hurt, and he wouldn't even realize."

"Enough!" Embarrassment and anger flared in Alexander as he snapped, then turned back to Gabriela with a strained expression.

"Ella, I got worked up earlier. Let me see your hand."

Gabriela met his concern with a faint, ironic look.

"Save it for your mistress," she said coldly, refusing to even look at him again.

She turned to the man beside her. "Thank you."

When she lifted her gaze, she found herself caught in his deep eyes, as if they were pulling her in.

Asher Lewis studied her quietly. Her smooth skin and tear-filled eyes stirred a trace of sympathy in him.

She was striking, yet she had chosen someone like Alexander. It was a waste.

"No need to thank me. But you really should get your eyes checked-your judgment when it comes to men is seriously flawed."

With that remark, he turned and walked away, a flamboyant companion trailing behind him.

"Asher, your tongue's still as sharp as ever!"

......

As the voices grew distant, Gabriela looked away, then walked away, leaving Alexander and his scheming mistress behind.

"Ella, it's all a misunderstanding..." Alexander tried to follow her, eager to explain, but Kylie grabbed onto him.

"Alex, I'm really afraid..." Kylie's trembling voice made Alexander pause, leaving him conflicted as he watched Gabriela disappear.

With the help of a hired driver, Gabriela managed to bring the completely drunk Lindsay home.

"Thank you, sir. Keep the change."

The driver accepted the cash with a grin and drove off.

Back in the bedroom, Gabriela looked at Lindsay lying there unconscious and let out a tired sigh before helping her remove her makeup and clean her face.

By the time everything was done, and Gabriela finished her shower, it was already past midnight. She climbed into bed, and the alcohol pulled her into sleep almost immediately.

Morning came, and when she checked her phone, she saw it filled with missed calls from Alexander.