Chapter 12: Thrown Out

Words : 1710 Updated : Oct 23rd, 2025

"So, you knew too?" Gabriel said, his face unreadable. Madison furrowed her brow and said, "And if I did?" "I already put the thing in the room. Does it really bother you that much?" Gabriel's voice had an edge. Hearing him talk to her like that set Madison off. She said coldly, "I know. So what? What, are you going to hit me too?" Gabriel's clenched fist slowly relaxed. "I wouldn't," he said, barely above a murmur. He didn't say another word, turned, and headed up the stairs. As he passed Madison, he kept silent. It was the first time Madison had seen Gabriel stand up to her like this. Was this his way of pushing back? The slump of his shoulders gave her a pang, but she kept quiet and looked away. She knew her mother was in the wrong, but pride kept her from speaking up. Besides, the idea of Gabriel wasting money on something useless still really pissed her off. Gabriel's anger hadn't been about the porcelain vase itself. It was Madison's attitude. Even after he'd saved Pedro and gotten blamed for it, it hadn't hurt this much. Now, he didn't even have the right to buy something he liked. The night passed without another word. At dawn, the kitchen was cold and quiet. Madison's brow creased, and Lauryn planted herself at the foot of the stairs and started yelling her head off up the stairs. "You worthless loser. I threw out one crummy vase, and you dare cop an attitude? Go take a good look at yourself. Who do you think you are, copping an attitude? "Hopeless case! You'll never amount to anything." "Yes, I throw your thing. So? If you've got the guts, then stay upstairs all day!" Gabriel offered no reply to Lauryn's tirade. Madison found it strange. He usually at least showed his face. Irritated, she went up to the second floor and pushed open his door. Empty. The bedding was made with military precision, as if no one had slept there at all. Did he go out last night? That can't be right, she told herself. Just as she was puzzling over it, the front door clicked open. Gabriel stepped in, surprised to find Lauryn shouting up the stairwell. He looked up at the landing, caught Madison's eye, and smiled, wearing a strained smile. "Went out to buy breakfast. Just got back." Madison looked at the warm paper bags in his hands and sighed inwardly. Of course. He was still that same useless man, and he would never stand up to Lauryn. Last night must have been for show. After breakfast, Madison gathered her work-related items. As she reached for the door, the bell rang. "So early? Who could that be?" she muttered, frowning. She opened the door to a young man in a sharp suit, wearing a smile. "Who are you looking for?" "Good morning, miss. Did someone here buy a porcelain vase yesterday?" he asked politely, though his voice was urgent. Madison's first thought was that the vase hadn't been bought at all; it had been stolen by Gabriel from someone else. Anger surged. She turned and called into the house, "Gabriel, someone's here for you!" Gabriel came to the door and took in the stranger with a flicker of surprise. He didn't know this man. What did he want? "Oh, sir, it is you," the young man said, relief breaking over his face. "About the vase you bought at the antique market yesterday, would you consider selling it to me? Name your price." "You mean that vase?" Gabriel asked, frowning. "Yes, the replica one. The one with a chip," the young man said. Hearing that, Madison realized she had misjudged Gabriel. Her heart sank. She had leapt straight to theft. Her prejudice ran deeper than she'd admitted. Lauryn, drawn by the voices, came to the door. "And who is this?" she asked, puzzled. The young man ignored Lauryn and kept his eyes on Gabriel. "Sir, please. How much would you take? I truly need it. I'm asking for your help." Gabriel shook his head and stayed silent. "Sir, I really need that vase," the young man pressed. "Any price." Gabriel sighed. "It isn't about money. If I still had it, and you truly needed it, you could take it for nothing. The problem is, it's already been tossed out." "Tossed... tossed out?" The words hit the young man like a thunderclap. "How could it have been thrown away?" Gabriel nodded. "It was." "Where'd you dump it?" The young man's expression hardened. He glared at Gabriel. "I don't know. I wasn't the one who tossed it," Gabriel said, his tone even despite the other's heat. "If not you, then who?" the young man snapped. "Her." Gabriel pointed at Lauryn beside him. "You threw it out?" The young man turned a cold stare on Lauryn. Only then did Lauryn realize he'd come for the vase. Seeing he was alone, her shrewish streak kicked back in. "I tossed it. So what? My house, my things, I'll toss what I want. Who are you to barge in here? Get lost! If you don't, I'm calling the police." Then it hit her. Maybe that vase was worth something, worth enough that this man would pay anything to get it back. She felt a twinge of regret. The young man gave a thin, humorless smile. "Fine. This is the first time anyone's dared tell me to get lost." "Where'd you dump it?" he asked again. "Let me make this real clear. Get lost. Right now. I'll throw it wherever I please, and I won't be telling you a thing," Lauryn screeched. "Tell me. Where'd you dump it?" he said, fighting to keep his anger in check. He'd combed through security camera footage to track Gabriel down. How could he not be furious to find the vase tossed by this foul-mouthed woman? Gabriel watched, cool-eyed, saying nothing. Beside him, Madison stared in shock. She realized the visitor was Maverick Denford, the Denfords' young scion. "You..." Maverick jabbed a finger at Lauryn, so angry he could barely form words. His upbringing was too strict to trade insults with her. He pulled out his phone, dialed, and said coldly, "Bring your people and get over here."

Chapter 12: Thrown Out

Comments (0)