Sorry My Step-Uncle, I'm Not Your Backup Plan novel Chapter 85

Gabriella went straight from the hospital to Sinclair & Klein to work overtime, organizing Mark's case materials in preparation for filing a workplace injury claim when the Department for Work and Pensions opened on Monday.

After working all afternoon, she'd completely forgotten her promise to see Asher in the evening.

When Asher called, Gabriella was still reviewing case documents.

"Gabby, where are you? I'll come pick you up."

"What?" Gabriella snapped back to reality. "Oh! I forgot to tell you, I'm working late at the office."

"Working late?" Asher sounded puzzled. "Weren't you shopping with Charlotte and Victoria?"

Gabriella tilted her head, holding the phone between her shoulder and ear while typing. "No, I received an urgent case and had to rush back to work."

"Have you eaten?" Asher asked.

"Not yet."

"I'll come pick you up for dinner. The work can wait until tomorrow—it's getting quite late."

Gabriella glanced at the time in the corner of her computer screen. "All right, I'm at the firm. You can come directly here."

Asher replied, "Good. Wait for me. I'll be there in about twenty minutes."

"Mmm."

After hanging up, Gabriella leaned back in her office chair, staring absently at the case materials on her screen.

Mark's case wasn't particularly complex, and the chances of winning were high.

But judging by the factory's attitude, they would certainly be reluctant to pay compensation.

This was a labor dispute, which meant the first step was labor arbitration.

After arbitration, if the factory contested the decision, they could still file a lawsuit.

The litigation process was complicated and lengthy. Although the final outcome would most likely be favorable, Mark couldn't afford to wait.

He needed the money for treatment, and Teresa needed it too.

Today Gabriella had covered their medical expenses, but that was far from enough.

Given the siblings' current situation, even their basic daily needs were an issue.

She rubbed her temples and called the person in charge of a charitable foundation.

She donated fifty thousand pounds to the foundation, instructing them to focus on helping the Bormen siblings.

Then she transferred another sum to Lucy, asking her to find a cook specifically responsible for preparing three meals a day for the siblings.

Lucy excitedly called back.

"Twenty thousand pounds! That's twenty thousand! Ms. Rodriguez! Not two thousand, but twenty thousand!" Lucy exclaimed. "Hiring a cook doesn't require nearly that much!"

Gabriella's tone remained even. "Their three daily meals and the cook's salary will come from this money. I've already taken care of their medical expenses. You can use the rest to buy them clothes, shoes, and daily necessities. In any case, thank you for your help."

Lucy was nearly crying with excitement. "Ms. Rodriguez, you're truly an angel! Thank you on their behalf. You must be a saint!"

Gabriella felt a pang in her heart and sighed. "This is all I can do."

Lucy quickly replied, "It's more than enough! You've already done so much!"

"I hope it helps them..."

...

Meanwhile, Asher had driven barely five minutes toward the law firm when he received a call from the manager at his facility.

"Sir, there's an emergency! Something's happened to Vanessa!"

Asher frowned, his tone cold. "What's happened?"

...

Gabriella finished organizing the case materials and shut down her computer. By the time she went downstairs, it was already half past eight.

She waited for a while before Asher called.

Gabriella answered.

"Where are you?"

"I'm sorry, Gabby. I can't pick you up tonight. Please go home first—I have an urgent matter to handle."

Gabriella asked, "What's wrong?"