Sorry My Step-Uncle, I'm Not Your Backup Plan novel Chapter 96

Grace abruptly lifted her head, tear tracks still visible on her face, her eyes filled with hurt.

Asher had just openly declared his feelings for Gabriella in front of everyone!

Gabriella stood stunned.

When those whispered comments had reached her ears, she had felt genuinely anxious.

She had feared that Asher might indeed, as they suggested, favour Grace and position himself against her.

In this moment, Gabriella felt an overwhelming sense of security.

Warmth radiated from Asher's hand as it enveloped hers, providing her with reassuring strength.

Gabriella's heart gradually settled, her emotions calming.

Lady Blackwood, however, was far from calm.

Wasn't Asher publicly humiGabbyting her with such a declaration?

The elderly woman was so furious that her voice trembled as she spoke. "Asher, I absolutely forbid you to—"

"Miss Rodriguez, I've brought the security footage," the attendant interrupted Lady Blackwood, holding out a USB drive to Gabriella.

All eyes turned to the small device in the attendant's hand, everyone eager to see its contents.

Gabriella took the USB drive and addressed the gathering: "If you'd all be so kind as to join me in the screening room on the fifth floor, we can settle this matter once and for all."

Grace felt a layer of perspiration forming on her palms from sheer anxiety.

She bit her lip, feigning composure as she said: "Gabriella, I've already said I'm sorry. Must you really drag this out?"

"You call that a sincere apology?" Gabriella shot her a cold glance. "I'm not having it."

Grace continued to deflect: "Even if you're cross with me, think about the other guests. The hall's absolutely packed—surely the screening room can't fit everyone?"

Gabriella smiled sardonically. "No need to fret on that account, Miss Bennett. The screening room upstairs seats a thousand quite comfortably."

Grace's expression froze momentarily as she desperately tried to formulate another excuse.

Victoria folded her arms, watching Grace with evident amusement. "Getting rather jittery, aren't we? Worried about something, perhaps?"

Grace gritted her teeth. "Don't be ridiculous. I simply think it's awfully petty to make a mountain out of a molehill. It was just a misunderstanding."

Victoria laughed heartily. "Funny, I don't recall mentioning your name just now. Guilty conscience playing up, is it?"

"Right then, anyone who'd like to see the footage, please make your way to the fifth floor," Gabriella announced calmly.

Lady Blackwood spoke up again: "Just look at yourself—this behavior is hardly becoming of a young lady from a good family. It was merely a spot on your dress, for heaven's sake, and you're carrying on as if it were a capital offense. I'll have the wretched thing replaced if it means so much to you. There's absolutely no need for this theatrical production. We're family, after all—let's not create an unnecessary spectacle."

Victoria rolled her eyes, thinking to herself: What an absolute hypocrite. She's been horrid to Gabriella from day one, and now she's playing the 'we're family' card. Typical.

Gabriella and her friends shared everything, and she had immediately vented to Charlotte and Victoria about the mistreatment she'd suffered at the Blackwood family dinner.

Victoria harboured intense dislike for both Lady Blackwood and her adopted daughter.

Randolph wasn't in the banquet hall at that moment; he was in the garden outside discussing business with several important clients, completely unaware of the commotion.

Lucy had contracted influenza a few days prior and was receiving IV treatment at the hospital, with Lady Victoria accompanying her, making it impossible for them to attend the banquet.

Thus, no one from the Rodriguez family was immediately available to support Gabriella.

Gabriella had expected to face Grace's bullying alone, never anticipating that Victoria and Asher would stand up so firmly in her defence.

"What exactly does Grandmother believe a young lady from a respectable family should be like?" Asher asked, his tone frigid. "Someone who quietly accepts being walked all over?"

Lady Blackwood looked utterly incredulous. "Asher, what on earth are you on about? 'Walked all over'? Are you actually suggesting that Grace and I are bullying her?"

"If the shoe fits," Asher's eyes were cold as steel. "The stained gown itself was a minor issue, but Grace immediately blamed Gabriella for not watching where she was going. Gabriella's request to check the security footage is perfectly reasonable, yet you accuse her of making a fuss over nothing. I absolutely insist on viewing this footage now. I won't stand by while you bully my wife in my presence."

Grace's heart lurched at the word "wife," which pierced her painfully.