CHAPTER 4

Meanwhile, at the Hilton Western Restaurant.

Tessa had been waiting for half an hour when Gabriel finally appeared.

"Sorry to keep you waiting." Dressed in a silver-gray suit with light white stripes and a black shirt underneath, Gabriel walked in, his perfect features and slight smile exuding an irresistible charm, causing Tessa to momentarily lose her composure, her heart racing like a startled deer.

She had seen Gabriel on TV before, but in person, his tall, lean frame, broad shoulders, and narrow waist gave off an aura of noble elegance mixed with a forbidding coldness.

She tried to calm her pounding heart, stood up, and nodded politely. "Mr. Robinson, you're right on time. I was just early."

Gabriel sat across from her, glanced at her briefly, and then looked away. "What would you like to eat?"

Today, she wore light makeup, accessorized with limited-edition Gucci diamond earrings and a necklace, and a new Dior dress. Though she looked stunning, this kind of "money-wrapped" beauty failed to impress him.

"Whatever you prefer, Mr. Robinson. I'm fine with anything."

"Alright." Gabriel pressed the call button on the table, and a waiter promptly entered the private room. He ordered the restaurant's most expensive two-person meal and a bottle of red wine.

"So, being the heiress of the Flynn Group, what were you doing out in the countryside that day?"

Gabriel leaned back in the booth, legs crossed, his sharp eyes fixed on her as he asked.

After returning to his company, he had done some research on Tessa and knew her background.

Tessa’s heart clenched, and she nervously tightened her grip on her hands, forcing a bitter smile. "To be honest, working as a delivery person was my dad's way of testing me. He wanted to see if I could handle hardship before deciding whether to let me take over the company."

These words were already deeply ingrained in her mind.

When Gabriel asked to meet her a week later, she had informed her parents about it. They had anticipated Gabriel's questions.

So, they had someone review the surveillance footage of Fiona's route to the hospital with Gabriel, uncovering the incident location and what Fiona was doing.

To avoid arousing Gabriel's suspicion, Tessa genuinely delivered takeout for a whole week—and it's impossible to say how many indignities she suffered in that time.

"Your father had the right idea. A little hardship is good for building character."

Gabriel agreed with Flynn Darwin’s approach.

"Yes, I think my dad's method is great too."

"Give me your account details. Tomorrow, I'll have the finance department transfer you ten million dollars."

"What?" she didn't understand why he suddenly mentioned money.

"You risked your life to save me that day. This money is your reward."

"No... there's no need."

While ten million dollars was certainly tempting, Tessa’s true interest lay in Gabriel.

She shook her head and smiled gently. "Even if it had been someone else in danger that day, I would have saved them. In such a situation, anyone would have done the same."

"If you don't want the money, you can have your father contact me directly. I'll give priority to Flynn Group in our company projects."

The Flynn Group was her family company. A sweet smile lit up her pretty, subtly made-up face. "Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Robinson, but there's really no need."

As soon as she finished speaking, Gabriel's phone rang abruptly.

"Excuse me, I need to take this call."

Gabriel picked up his phone and saw that it was his assistant, Sutton, calling. "What's up?"

"Boss, I regret to report that I failed to complete the task you assigned. Miss Hayes has been taken back to the old mansion by Mrs. Robinson." Sutton relayed the situation to Gabriel in full detail.

"Why did Grandma suddenly go there?"

“I'm not sure either."

Sutton was equally puzzled about how Mrs. Robinson got the information so quickly.

Thinking about it, he quickly added, "But from what Mrs. Robinson said, it seems she wants you to marry Miss Hayes."

Upon hearing this, Gabriel's brows furrowed tightly, and he replied in a cold voice, "Wishful thinking."

He hung up the phone and stared at the screen, lost in thought.

When he looked up at Tessa, an idea suddenly popped into his mind, and he asked, "Miss Darwin, I wonder if you could do me a favor."

"Of course, Mr. Robinson. Feel free to ask," Tessa replied, her smile unwavering.

"Can you pretend to be my girlfriend?”