The Encrypted Line to the White House: A Scorned Heiress's Annihilation - Chapter 104: Chapter 104

"Indeed," Grace chimed in with a pinched voice. "She didn't even come to greet you first when she arrived. Instead, she's chatting with others. What does that say? She clearly doesn't consider you worth her attention."
Lady Blackwood was absolutely fuming. "This Gabriella Rodriguez truly has no respect for her elders. No manners whatsoever. And to think your mother claimed she was well-bred and cultivated."
A small triumphant smile played at the corner of Grace's lips as she spoke in a gentle, understanding tone. "Grandmother, please don't be upset. Don't let her affect your health—that's what matters most."
Lady Blackwood patted Grace's hand affectionately. "You're always so considerate and caring, my dear. You truly are my granddaughter."
Grace's smile deepened. "Grandmother, would you like me to stay by your side forever?"
The elderly woman gave her an indulgent look. "Silly child, you'll marry someday. How could you possibly stay with your grandmother forever? Though I'd love to have you with me always, you're bound to marry eventually."
If I married Asher, I could stay with you forever, Grace thought but didn't voice aloud.
Instead, she smiled demurely and said in a sweet, cajoling tone, "For you, Grandmother, I could remain unmarried my entire life."
This comment delighted Lady Blackwood immensely, bringing a broad smile to her face.
Just as she was beaming with pleasure, Asher and Gabriella spotted Lady Blackwood and, after exchanging a few words with those they were conversing with, began walking in their direction.
Grace alerted her, "Grandmother, they're coming over."
Lady Blackwood let out a disdainful sniff. "About time."
Gabriella approached Lady Blackwood on Asher's arm, stopping before her with a polite, formal greeting: "Lady Blackwood."
Lady Blackwood had previously insisted Gabriella not address her as 'Grandmother,' which Gabriella now respectfully observed.
However, the elderly woman's expression reflected deep dissatisfaction. "Such a formal address. Are you still harbouring resentment over the family dinner incident? I've already apologised to Asher. Why must you be so vindictive?"
Asher's brow furrowed immediately. "Grandmother, wasn't it you who explicitly told Gabriella not to call you 'Grandmother'? Gabriella is following your instructions—how can you now be so unreasonable?"
Gabriella inwardly gave a cold laugh. Lady Blackwood was clearly looking for trouble again.
Asher had essentially acted as her mouthpiece, expressing her exact thoughts. Gabriella merely offered a slight smile without adding anything further.
When Lady Blackwood heard her grandson accuse her of being unreasonable, she immediately flared up. "How dare you call me unreasonable? I am your grandmother! Asher, this woman has clearly been a negative influence on you. Just look at yourself—your attire is preposterous! And your attitude toward me is hardly befitting a grandson addressing his grandmother!"
Asher's expression turned equally cold. "Grandmother, why do you persistently find fault? You were once so reasonable and understanding."
Lady Blackwood scoffed. "That depends entirely on who I'm dealing with."
Gabriella's lips curled in silent mockery.
At that moment, a little girl ran up and grabbed Gabriella's dress. "Wow, princess! Are you a Disney princess?"
Gabriella was amused by the child, bending down to gently pinch her cheek. "No, I'm not."
The little girl gazed up at Gabriella with bright, wonder-filled eyes. "But you are a princess! You're even more beautiful than the princesses I've seen on television."
The little girl's innocent words instantly dispelled the irritation Gabriella had felt from Lady Blackwood's attitude.
"Princess, can I play with you?" the child asked hopefully.
"Of course you can," Gabriella replied in a gentle voice.
"This is utterly improper!" Lady Blackwood suddenly exclaimed in a harsh tone.
Nearby guests turned to look at the commotion.
The elderly woman continued angrily, "I was still speaking to you. How dare you start conversing with someone else? Have you no respect for your elders whatsoever?"
Gabriella lowered her head, taking a deep breath before looking up again with a composed expression. "Lady Blackwood, I'm not sure what I've done to earn such targeted animosity from you. Since my presence clearly offends you, wouldn't it be preferable if I simply removed myself?"
Without waiting for Lady Blackwood's response, Gabriella took the little girl's hand and walked away.
Asher gave Grace a meaningful, frigid look. "If I discover you've been poisoning Grandmother's mind against Gabriella, I won't let it pass."
Grace adopted a wounded expression. "Brother, I haven't done anything of the sort."
Lady Blackwood glared at Asher. "This has nothing to do with Grace. Just look at how Gabriella treats me. How can you possibly expect me to approve of her?"
"Hmph," Asher let out a derisive laugh. "If you're not satisfied, so be it—I'm not marrying you."
Lady Blackwood was being completely unreasonable, and Asher knew further discussion would be pointless, so he didn't waste any more breath on the matter.
"You—" Lady Blackwood sputtered with anger. "How dare you speak to me that way? I am your grandmother!"
Asher ignored her completely and walked away.
The elderly woman was so enraged she was breathing heavily, struggling for air.
"Grandmother, please calm yourself," Grace soothed, patting her back. "Don't argue with Asher. It's all Gabriella's fault. She's bewitched him. A woman like her is completely unworthy of him."
Lady Blackwood made an effort to compose herself.
After a moment, she spoke with grave conviction: "You're right. Such a woman is indeed unworthy of Asher."
A brief, triumphant smirk flashed across Grace's lips.
Gabriella played with the little girl for a while until the child's mother came looking for her.
"Miss Rodriguez, I'm terribly sorry. My daughter doesn't know any better—I hope she hasn't been a bother," the woman apologised with genuine remorse, her manner exceptionally polite.
Gabriella smiled warmly. "Not at all. She's a delightful child."
The little girl looked up at her mother and said in a sweet, endearing voice: "Mummy, the princess is so beautiful. May I take a photo with her? Could you take it for us?"
The woman looked hesitant as she glanced at Gabriella. "Would that be all right?"
Gabriella readily agreed. "Of course."
After the photo, the little girl waved goodbye to Gabriella.
Gabriella responded with a bright smile.
Asher approached. "Gabby, I'm sorry about all that."
Gabriella appeared completely unconcerned. "It's hardly your fault. Why are you apologising?"
"I don't understand why Grandmother is being so unreasonable. She wasn't like this before," Asher said, taking Gabriella's hand in his. "If we can't resolve this conflict, we'll simply see less of her. There's no need to subject yourself to such treatment."
Gabriella looked up, meeting his gaze directly. "What if your grandmother opposes our marriage?"
Asher replied firmly: "I have full authority over my own marriage. Her opposition is irrelevant."
Gabriella nodded. "That's all I needed to hear."
Spotting famiGabbyr faces in the crowd, Gabriella said, "I'm going to join Charlotte and Victoria for a bit. I'll leave you to yourself for a short while."
Internally, Asher felt a bit abandoned, though he wouldn't express it.
His expression remained composed as he replied in a neutral tone: "Of course, go ahead."
As Gabriella walked toward Charlotte, something unexpected happened.
Suddenly, Grace appeared out of nowhere, colliding with Gabriella. The wine glass in her hand fell, spilling red wine all over Gabriella's gown.
Grace lightly covered her mouth, her expression exaggeratedly surprised. "Oh my! Gabriella, darling, you really should watch where you're going, shouldn't you?"