Awakening the War God

Chapter 40 Stella's Anguish

Gabriel put on a fake smile to hide the inner turmoil.

He kept questioning himself, wondering what was happening to him.

He shouldn't have feelings for Ava, so why did he feel this discomfort?

Human beings are, after all, complicated in emotions.

But no matter what, these seven days as a couple were now etched into his mind.

In the future, if someone asked, he'd say he'd experienced a seven-day romance. A real, genuine one.

Perhaps today was fate's way of helping him. Pushing aside everything to keep him on his lonely path.

That was why this breakup dinner happened to take place in Stella's restaurant.

So, he finally had an excuse to break free from Ava-by shifting his affections elsewhere or embracing his inner personality as a playboy.

He wanted Ava to know that he, Gabriel Edwards, had set his eyes on another woman!

That was him-a heartless womanizer, a man Ava would perhaps never see again.

The current pain was just temporary, compared to what could otherwise be in store for you, Ava.

May you find happiness in your own way!

The tense atmosphere of debt collection was completely shattered by Ava and Gabriel's breakup.

The abrupt shift in the story left everyone disoriented.

Finally, Gabriel broke the silence, wearing a carefree, rogue-like grin as he addressed Stella, "Turner, have you made up your mind? It's just a meal, and I can help you sort out all your problems. It's quite the deal!"

He was determined he had to bring humiliation to the Davis family-publicly.

That would be much more interesting!

Stella's gaze turned as sharp as a dagger, filled with disdain as she looked at Gabriel.

She pitied Ava for entering a relationship with such a shameless playboy.

"You're truly a shameless scoundrel. You've just broken up with your girlfriend, and you're already hitting on another woman. It's disgusting! I won't go to dinner with a two-timer like you. Dream on!"

In that moment, as a woman, she felt she shared Ava's pain.

Women, compared to men, often found themselves in pitiable situations.

They sometimes lost their sense of self, allowing men to control and manipulate them.

In the end, it led to nothing but self-pity and self-loathing.

In this world, were there any men worth trusting their hearts to?

She was convinced, none!

Hence, she nursed deep resentment towards men, all men!

Stella's curses didn't faze Gabriel one bit.

In fact, he wore a shameless smirk and looked right at Stella without reservation.

His bold and unapologetic gaze only further infuriated Stella.

Just at that moment, Sam, who had been spectating the drama, received an unexpected call on the phone he had taken from Stella.

It startled him.

"We could've had it all..."

The phone wasn't Sam's; it was the one he had confiscated from Stella.

And the ringtone was a song-"Rolling in the Deep."

"Give me back my phone!"

Stella turned her head and angrily demanded when she recognized the familiar ringtone.

Sam lowered his head to check the caller ID. It was from Ryan.

What a coincidence!

He smiled, answering the call and putting it on speakerphone. "Let's all listen together to your brother's voice!"

As soon as the call was connected, the sound of Ryan's desperate cries filled the air.

"Stella, save me! I don't want to be disabled! Please save me! It's just eight million; you can afford it. If not, sell the restaurant first and save me!"

Hearing Ryan's voice, Gabriel immediately passed his judgment on him.

Worthless scum!

He glanced at Stella and saw her look of despair as she clutched her head, on the brink of collapsing.

Her brother didn't see her as family at all. In his eyes, she was just an ATM.

Sam held the phone, grinning.

This was a perfect opportunity to add fuel to the fire.

He bellowed into the phone, "Ryan, your sister's a real piece of work. She won't cough up the cash and threatened to call the cops, can you believe it? I've never seen a sister this cold-hearted!"

A voice of another unfamiliar man suddenly chimed in from the other end of the line, "Calling the cops? Well, if there's no cash, bring out the saw. This guy called Ryan; let's just take his left leg!"

"No, no, no, Mr. Blackwell, please, hold on! I'll talk to my sister!" Amidst the chaotic voices, Ryan's desperate pleas echoed, "Stella, help me, I don't want them to saw off my leg! Stella, you heartless bitch, you seriously won't lift a finger to save me? Go to the Davis family, beg them for the money to save me, Stella, you're to blame for everything that's happened to me and the Turner family!"

In Ryan's eyes, the reason the Davis family had abandoned him was all because of his sister's arrogance.

With her looks and figure, as long as she had played nice with the Davis family, he could've ruled the roost in Silverwood.

But now, he was in this mess all because of his sister's pride.

He resented her, to him, she was less of a sister and more of a heartless bitch.

Hearing her brother's barrage of insults, Stella, overwhelmed by agony, finally couldn't hold back her emotions and burst into tears.

Two crystal-clear teardrops rolled down her cheeks, falling to the ground and splattering like tiny blossoms.

"Help me!"

In her despair, she suddenly turned to Gabriel.

In her complex gaze, there was only helplessness.

In that moment, she was just a vulnerable woman, hoping for even the smallest bit of support to help her stay on her feet.

Gabriel's chest ignited instantly.

He had been waiting for these words.

So, he nodded gently.

His entire presence exuded a sinister aura as he approached Sam.

Just a pair of eyes like those of the devil were enough to paralyze Sam, making him unable to move.

The intimidating pressure was too strong, too terrifying.

"Damn it, I've put up with you for too long!"

With a menacing air, Gabriel took a swift step forward.

He quickly seized the phone from Sam's hand with his left hand and, with his right, delivered a resounding slap.

The force was heavy, fueled by the anger he had been holding in for the past half-day.

A loud "smack" echoed through the room, leaving Sam utterly stunned, his mind blank.

If Gabriel hadn't been holding him up by the left hand, he would have crumpled to the ground.

Gabriel snatched the phone and grabbed a bottle of wine from a nearby table.

With a "bang," he swung it fiercely at Sam's head.

Instantly, blood splattered.

Sam fell heavily to the floor.

But Gabriel wasn't finished; he kicked Sam hard.

Under the violence, Sam slid across the floor, leaving a trail of blood and crashing into two tables before coming to a stop.

The floor became a slippery path of bloodstains.

At this moment, Sam was barely conscious, on the verge of passing out.

"Damn, this guy can't really take a beating!"

Gabriel, in his fit of rage, had silenced the entire room.

His cold gaze left everyone around him speechless.

The farewell dinner with Ava had been completely ruined.

He had held back for far too long.

And when he finally got to vent his anger, he showed no mercy.

Stella stood frozen, her tears stopped in their tracks.

This man was far too violent and ruthless.

No wonder James and Samuel, the Davis brothers, had suffered at Gabriel's hands.

He was a complete madman.