Chapter 465

Evelyn had noticed Gabrielle's behavior long before this. The woman had been shamelessly throwing herself at Samuel for months, staking her claim like some territorial animal.

Gabrielle flashed a smug smile. "He's not officially mine yet, but he will be! Amelia personally assured me I'd become part of the Rivers family. Samuel always listens to his sister—so the outcome is inevitable, don't you think?"

"Who's becoming whose sister-in-law?" Samuel's cool, detached voice cut through the air unexpectedly.

Both women startled, turning toward the sound simultaneously.

Samuel appeared freshly returned, his suit jacket draped casually over one arm. Every movement carried effortless grace as he approached, his piercing gaze settling on Gabrielle with visible irritation. "What are you doing here?"

Gabrielle's demeanor transformed instantly—the venom she'd shown Evelyn moments earlier replaced with sickening sweetness. "Samuel darling, I came to thank you for rescuing me yesterday. And I thought you might be hungry, so I prepared your favorite dishes. They're best eaten warm."

Samuel barely glanced at the food container. "Unnecessary. The company provides meals."

"But cafeteria food is dreadful!" Gabrielle pouted, laying a hand on his arm. "This is homemade—healthy and perfectly seasoned. Amelia suggested it herself! She's worried you're working too hard. You wouldn't reject your sister's thoughtful gesture, would you?"

At the mention of Amelia's involvement, Samuel gave a curt nod. "Bring it inside." He strode past her without another glance.

Pausing at his office door, he turned toward Evelyn's desk. "Coffee, Miss Whitmore."

Evelyn rose immediately. "Right away, Mr. Rivers."

The moment Samuel disappeared behind his office door, Gabrielle's mask slipped. She sneered at Evelyn. "Do you even know how he takes his coffee? What level of sweetness he prefers?"

Evelyn answered truthfully. "No. It's my first day—I'm still learning my employer's preferences."

Gabrielle rolled her eyes dramatically. "Useless. Listen carefully—Samuel has an enormous sweet tooth. Ten sugar cubes and two creamers. Don't mess this up."

Evelyn nodded. "Understood. Thank you, Miss Winslow."

Gabrielle stormed off without another word, clutching her food container like a trophy. But as she crossed the threshold into Samuel's office, a vicious smirk twisted her lips—one last triumphant glance thrown Evelyn's way.

The truth was the exact opposite of what she'd claimed. Samuel detested sweetened coffee above all else. Gabrielle could barely contain her excitement—Evelyn was about to make a catastrophic mistake. When that overly sweet coffee arrived, Samuel's temper would flare. With any luck, he'd fire the scheming little secretary on the spot!

After all, if Evelyn could seduce Nathaniel Grayson, who knew what tricks she might try on Samuel? Gabrielle wouldn't take that risk.