Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire

In the cozy confines of the private room, the soothing aroma of tea filled the air.

Gabriel, dressed in a traditional outfit, carried himself with a scholarly grace reminiscent of Callum's, though age had lent him a deeper, steadier presence. He was in the midst of brewing tea.

Selena had seen him a few times at various gatherings but had never exchanged words with him until now. She greeted him warmly, "Hi, Gabriel."

Callum leaned over and gently corrected her, "You should call him Grandfather."

Gabriel looked up, his eyes cloudy yet sharp, assessing Selena with a keen gaze before breaking into a smile. "I see why old Howard has taken a liking to you. You make a stunning granddaughter-in-law." "Please, have a seat."

Callum pulled out a chair for Selena, and they both settled in.

Gabriel didn't mince words. After a sip of tea, he got straight to the point. "I'm too old to dictate what you young folks should do. Since you love each other and can't bear to be apart, I don't want to see Callum wasting away. If marriage is what you want, then by all means, go for it."

Selena was taken aback. She hadn't expected Gabriel to give his blessing so readily, especially after the rocky three years he and Dr. Campbell had endured.

"But..." Gabriel's tone shifted, his eyes fixed intently on Selena. He spoke deliberately, "The Campbell family values its reputation highly. If you're joining us, you must cut all ties with the Bennett family, so we don't become a laughingstock."

Selena's smile slowly disappeared.

So that's what this was about...

She stood her ground, her voice steady as she replied, "Gabriel, my son Mateo will always stay with me. I won't abandon him."

Gabriel's expression hardened,

"That's not going to work. The

Campbell family won't raise another

man's child. You've been married before, and I'm already making an exception by letting you in, but bringing your ex-husband's son, especially from the Bennett family, is too much. How do you expect us, Callum and I, to handle such a situation?"

"I'm laying it out clearly: if you want to be part of the Campbell family, you'll have to make some tough choices."

His words were blunt, revealing his true feelings. Beneath his calm exterior was just a facade.

Out of respect for his age, Selena chose not to argue, instead turning to Callum with a quiet question, "Dr. Campbell, is this how you feel too?"

Callum's face was tense, his lips pressed tightly together, unable to respond immediately.

Gabriel interjected, "Selena, didn't you know? This meeting today came with conditions!"noveldrama

In that moment, everything became clear to Selena. This wasn't a chance encounter. Dr. Campbell had set this meeting to show Gabriel, where he stood. She had skipped Everett's engagement party to be here, indicating she was willing to sever ties with Everett and even consider leaving her son.

Selena's dark eyes bore into Callum's gentle profile, seeing him in a new, unfamiliar light.

Despite her anger at the manipulation and deceit, she kept her composure, saying, "Josh, I'm sorry, but I need to go." The dinner had lost all its meaning.

She rose, grabbed her purse, and walked out.

In the hallway, Callum hurried after her, catching her wrist. Desperately, he tried to explain, "Selena, please, hear me out. This is just to win him over. Grandfather is old-fashioned and stubborn. It doesn't matter if he can't accept it now; getting married is the priority!"

He paused, adding earnestly, "Once we're married, we can fight for Mateo's custody, right? I'm just planning for our future! You have to understand me!"