Chapter 245

Did Dominic just threaten to spank me?

Evelyn wrinkled her nose in disgust. "How childish!"

Gabrielle had just finished her call with the doctor when she turned to see Dominic and Evelyn chatting together, laughing like old friends. Their easy camaraderie made her blood boil.

Dominic wasn't usually this open with strangers. In fact, he had a reputation for being sharp-tongued with people he considered beneath him. The fact that he was joking so freely with Evelyn meant he genuinely saw her as family - like a little sister.

This couldn't be happening. If Dominic saw Evelyn as a sister, what did that make Amelia?

Gabrielle's mind raced with schemes to turn everyone against Evelyn when a soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

All eyes turned to the suite's entrance where a staff member from Silver Peaks Ranch stood waiting. The woman wore crisp overalls bearing the resort's logo.

With a polite bow, the staff member approached Gabrielle directly. "Miss Winslow," she said respectfully, presenting a bill. "Here's your total expenses for this visit. We'd appreciate payment at your earliest convenience."

Gabrielle's face darkened. "Who told you to come to me for payment?"

The staff member blinked in confusion. "Our front desk received instructions that you'd be settling the bill today, Miss Winslow. If now isn't convenient, we can arrange payment upon checkout."

Someone had specifically requested she pay? Gabrielle snatched the invoice, her frown deepening. "$1,800? That's ridiculous! We've never spent this much before!"

The staff member explained patiently, "This includes an advance payment for your upcoming reservation, Miss Winslow."

"Reservation? What reservation?"

"Yesterday, someone booked three days at Silver Peaks next month under your name. They ordered three whole roasted lambs and several premium dishes, requesting everything be charged to your account today."

Gabrielle's jaw dropped. "Three days? I never authorized this! Go find whoever made that reservation - I'm not paying for it!"

The staff member paled. "But we've already secured the lambs from local farmers and purchased expensive ingredients based on that order. Canceling now would cause significant losses..."

Gabrielle's voice turned icy. "Who dared spend my money without permission?"

Evelyn stepped forward. "I made the reservation."