THE DISGRACED HUSBAND IS A BILLIONAIRE

15: TRUST

Selene sighed. She knew she couldn’t just give Gabriel what he wanted.

“Gabriel, we can’t make your father leave,” she said gently. “But… maybe we can help him understand that he needs to earn our trust.”

Gabriel’s eyes lit up. “I can do that!”

Selene looked at him carefully. “Just don’t do anything dangerous. Promise?”

Gabriel nodded, determined. “I promise.”

George watched them, with nervous but hopeful. “Selene… I’ll do anything to fix this. Anything.”

Selene hesitated. “Actions matter more than words, George. You need to show that you can be careful, responsible… and that you really care about Gabriel’s safety.”

George was about to respond, but Gabriel had already slipped away. Quietly, he moved toward the laundry room, thinking of a plan. He nudged things out of place, moved boots, and left wet spots on the floor. It wasn’t meant to hurt anyone, just enough to make someone trip.

George didn’t notice. He was too focused on Selene. As he walked, his foot slipped a little on the wet floor. Gabriel smiled to himself.

Selene noticed Gabriel’s expression and frowned. “Gabriel… what did you do? Don’t scare him.”

Gabriel shook his head. “He needs to learn, Mom. He’s careless!”

Just then, Silvestry appeared at the doorway, arms crossed, watching with a small smile.

“Oh,” he said calmly, “the boy has a plan. And George… you have no idea what’s coming.”

George turned to him. “Silvestry! Stop encouraging him!”

Silvestry laughed softly. “I’m not encouraging. Just watching. But this should be interesting.”

Selene tightened her grip on Gabriel’s shoulder. “Silvestry… don’t.”

“I won’t interfere,” he said, as he stepped back. “But I will enjoy watching.”

Gabriel smiled slightly. For the first time since the accident, he felt in control.

George could feel it too... the tension in the room. Every move he made felt watched and judged.

Selene took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. She knew the next few hours would be hard for all of them.

After the conversation;

George walked into the living room, his hair still wet, after taking his bath. And then suddenly, he heard a small noise and stopped, he felt something wrong.

At the same time, Gabriel was crouched near the couch, watching him closely.

“Gabriel… what are you doing?” Selene asked. When she found her son right there. She continues in her steps down from the stairs.

Gabriel didn’t answer immediately.. Instead, he quietly tipped a small bottle off the table. It rolled across the floor.

George saw it just in time.

“Whoa...watch out!” he shouted, as he was stepping forward. But his foot hit a wet spot from earlier, and he almost slipped.

Selene rushed over. “George! Are you okay?!”

“I’m fine!” he said, clearly frustrated. “This is ridiculous!”

Gabriel hid behind the couch, trying not to smile.

“Gabriel!” Selene called, kneeling beside George. “Stop this! It’s dangerous!”

Gabriel stand up. He shows himself and looked at his mother, very upset but firm. “He needs to learn! He scared you! He almost hurt you!”

Selene sighed. “I know… but this won’t fix anything.”

Silvestry followed Selene downstairs, watching the scene he chuckled. “You have to admit, the boy has a strategy.”

Selene glared at him. “This isn’t a strategy, it’s reckless. Don’t encourage him.”

Silvestry smirked. “I’m just impressed. Pressure shows, who people really are.”

George steadied himself and looked at Gabriel, full of guilt. “Gabriel… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you or your mom. I was trying to help.”

Gabriel crossed his arms. “That’s not what it felt like.”

Selene gently touched George’s arm. “This is why words aren’t enough. You have to prove it. Be careful. One more mistake, and he might never forgive you.”

George swallowed. He realized how serious things had become. Gabriel wasn’t just angry... he was watching, testing, and planning.

Silvestry spoke again. “Time to show what you’re really made of, George… or get outsmarted by a 13-year-old.”

“Silvestry! Enough!” Selene snapped.

But Gabriel smiled slightly. For now, he knew he had the upper hand, and he wasn’t going to give it up until his father truly earned his trust, or.. he must leave this house for his safety.

Silvestry watched the scene in a little longer, but his thoughts were no longer on George and Gabriel. Something else was bothering him. His expression slowly changed. He remembered the call from earlier... his secretary’s tense voice.

Three million… three days… or everything goes public.

His jaw tightened slightly. Because this wasn’t something he could ignore.

He glanced at Selene, who was still watching George and Gabriel. She looked distracted but the time was clicking.

Silvestry straightened himself and stepped closer.

“Ahm.Selene,” he said quietly.

She turned to him. “What is it?”

“I need to speak with you. Alone.” His tone shifted more seriously now.

Selene frowned slightly. “Now?”

Silvestry nodded. “Yes. It’s important.”

She hesitated, glancing toward where George was carefully following Gabriel to the kitchen.

"Alright,” she said finally. “But make it quick.”

She walked past him toward the hallway. Silvestry followed, his expression now calm, but focused.

Once they were out of sight, Selene crossed her arms. “What’s going on?”

Silvestry didn’t answer right away. He took a breath, choosing his words carefully.

“My company is in trouble,” he said plainly.

Selene blinked. That wasn’t what she expected.

“How bad?” she asked.

Silvestry met her eyes. “Three million. That’s what needs to be settled.”

Her expression hardened. “And?”

“And I have three days before my employees take this in public,” he continued. “If that happens… everything falls apart.”

Selene went quite processing for a moment.

“That’s… serious,” she said.

“It is.”

She studied him carefully. “So why are you telling me?”

Silvestry’s gaze didn’t waver. “Because I need your help.”

Selene let out a short breath, almost a quiet laugh.. but there was no humor in it.

“My help?” she repeated. “Silvestry, look around you. My family is barely holding together right now.”

“I’m aware,” he said calmly. “But you’re also the most capable person I know.”

Selene looked away, thinking for a moment.

“And what exactly are you asking?” she said.

Silvestry paused, then answered directly. “A loan. Or some access of your resources..."