When She Stops Playing Nice by Hale Saxon
Chapter 423

Chapter 423

Gina desired seafood chowder, so Gabriel promptly prepared a batch.

Before indulging, she administered a few injections, breaking out into a sweat. But she felt much better afterward, especially when she caught a whiff of the tantalizing aroma of the seafood chowder.

“Your culinary skills are impressive. When did you learn?” Gina asked, her curiosity piqued. She realized she hadn’t discussed this with Gabriel before.

“Emily taught me.” Gabriel replied, his voice tinged with nostalgia. He remembered when Emily fell ill and couldn’t eat anything. Gabriel would experiment with various recipes daily to make delicious meals for her. Emily inherited his culinary skills, and the dishes he prepared closely resembled hers and suited her palate the best. Emily could manage to eat a bit more with his cooking, but unfortunately, she still passed away in the end

Gabriel furrowed his brows tightly, lost in thought for a long while.

Gina placed her hand on Gabriel’s back, her touch warm and comforting. It brought Gabriel back to the present. “Are you thinking of Emily!”

Gabriel nodded, grasping Gina’s hand. “I can’t bear to experience it again. To lose my dearest loved one unnaturally. As long as you’re safe, I will pay any price.”

“Don’t worry, I’m fine. But… Gina paused, deciding to continue with the sensitive topic. “Because the virus in my body is unknown, I don’t know how it will further affect my health. I can’t predict what will happen next. I can only take it one step at a time. If my medical skills can’t handle it, it simply means my medical skills are not proficient enough.”

Gina smiled gently, her demeanor showing an inner strength despite the specter of death.

But now, there was someone she couldn’t bear to leave behind.

So, with the possibility of her impending death, Gina wanted to express some final sentiments.

“If I die, promise me you’ll keep living,” she said.

Gabriel shook his head immediately. “No, life wouldn’t hold the same meaning without you.”

“But what about Neil? He still needs you, doesn’t he?

“In that case, I’ll wait until the day he’s gone, and then I’ll depart with you,” Gabriel continued after reflection. “Perhaps we’ll reunite with our loved ones in another realm.”

Gina found Gabriel’s words both poignant and strangely comforting.

“I can imagine Emily feeling lonely over there,” Gabriel sighed. “But I’m determined to replace whoever caused her death and bring them to justice.”

Gina had previously assisted in the investigation into Emily’s demise. Though they had initial leads suggesting foul play, their progress had stalled. Cina felt a pang of regret about it.

“Let’s not let the chowder go cold,” Gabriel changed the subject.

After finishing the chowder, Gina felt considerably better. “Let’s head to the old mansion tonight.”

Gina’s suggestion to visit the old mansion caught Gabriel off guard. “Alright!”

Neil had already drifted off to sleep when they arrived, and Gina motioned for Gabriel not to disturb him. The two of them then made their way to the media room.

Chapter 423

Previously, Isaac had escorted Gina to the media room once before. It was adorned with numerous photographs of Emily. Gabriel longed for Emily, and sensing his sentiment, Gina suggested they visit the media room.

Gabriel picked up a framed photo of himself with Emily and found it challenging to let go.

“I’m sorry, Emily. I haven’t avenged you yet…”

Gina was about to offer some words of comfort to Gabriel when suddenly, a large family portrait hanging on the wall came crashing down. The frame, showing signs of age, shattered upon impact with the floor, scattering glass shards everywhere.

Gina raised her gaze to the wall. “Looks like the screws holding it in place have come loose.”

Gabriel furrowed his brow. “Tll have someone come to clean it up.”

Gina nodded as Gabriel turned to leave the media room. However, as Gina approached the shattered glass, she noticed something glinting beneath the shards–a golden object partially obscured by the broken glass.

Bending down, she retrieved it–an old key.

A servant entered the room, noticing Gina picking up objects amidst the glass shards. “Miss Miller, please be careful not to injure yourself. Let me assist you!”

Gina shook her head, her attention on the key in her hand. The servant, still somewhat concerned, set down the broom. “Miss Miller, are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

“What’s going on?”

Gabriel stepped into the room, hearing the servant’s exclamation and growing equally concerned.

“Gabriel, there’s a key hidden inside the picture frame!” Gina showed him the key, and he glanced at it, puzzled. He had no idea what it unlocked or who had hidden it inside the frame so discreetly. Was it meant to evade detection by those who shouldn’t replace it?

Gabriel accepted the key, momentarily unsure of its owner.

After a pause, Gina spoke again. “There might be fingerprints on it. I’ll have it examined, and we’ll replace out.”

But Gina checked the time and realized it was late. It would have to wait until tomorrow morning to disturb Dylan.

“Alright.”

Gina made sure no one else touched the key. Instead, she instructed a servant to fetch a sealed bag and carefully store the key inside.

The following day, Gabriel headed to the office bright and early, leaving Gina behind at the old mansion to keep Neil company. Neil was thrilled, though a hint of worry lingered in his joy. “Gina, are you too caught up in work? After all, you have your bustling career. If you’re busy, you needn’t stay with me.”

‘I’d like to take a day off today,” Gina said with a smile.

Neil treated her well, and she was happy to spend time with him. In old age, companionship was paramount.

“Alright, then.”

Neil was over the moon, mainly since he got along well with Gina. She played chess like a pro; he wouldn’t have stood

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Chapter 423

a chance if she hadn’t gone easy on him. Neil chuckled helplessly. “Gina, you’re always giving me a leg up. It’s downright unfair! Well, let’s call it quits on the chess. I want to do some painting now. You don’t have to keep me company if you replace it dull.”

“No, I replace it quite fascinating.” Gina was quite intrigued by painting.

In the study, Neil began to paint, gesturing for Gina to join him. After she wrote a character, Neil glanced at it, shocked. His brush fell from his hand. “Gina, the style of your brushwork… Why does it remind me so much of Ms.

Gena’s?”

As an avid collector of Ms. Gena’s works, Neil was intimately familiar with her artistry.