Too Late For Regrets, Mr. Billionaire (Brianna Meyers and Brandon Levy) novel Chapter 5

Chapter 5 Confronting Gabrielle

Gabrielle scowled as the family of three walked through the door.

She quickly made up an excuse to send Kendra outside to play in the yard, then dove right into scolding the couple. Her target? Brianna

She said, “A wise wife keeps her husband from disaster. Look at the mess you’ve dragged us into!”

Brianna found it almost amusing and shrugged “Gabrielle, what’s the issue? Why are you so upset?”

“Don’t try to fool me. Others might be clueless, but I know exactly who that is.”

Since she was laying it all out, Brianna decided to be blunt too. “I have no connection to them, Gabrielle. You know that.” Gabrielle faltered, words catching in her throat. After a beat, she pushed on, “If you knew that mother and daughter were trouble, why didn’t you keep an eye on Brandon and stop him from messing around with them?”

“If I’d known the Drokvine trip was to meet those two vixens, I would’ve never okayed it. But Brandon didn’t bother telling me. He just jetted off to see them.”

Brianna grabbed a handful of cherries from the coffee table. They were deliciously sweet.

Gabrielle went quiet again, glaring at Brandon. “You knew that little floozy has a terrible reputation, but you chased after her anyway. You’re an adult. Show some damn sense!”

“Exactly! And now you’re labeled a ‘scumbag.’ How embarrassing!” Brianna chimed in, putting extra bite on “scumbag.” Brandon shot her a look, his expression turning stormy.

“Oh, now you want to sling mud? Where was this fire earlier?” Gabrielle redirected her anger back at Brianna. She could chew out Brandon, but not Brianna.

Margo said, “Mom, this isn’t on her. That press conference this afternoon that killed the trending story? It was her idea, credit to the PR folks.”

Margo jumped in to defend her, though she had her own ulterior motives, none of which involved actually helping Brianna.

“It should’ve been dealt with way sooner. Why the delay?”

“I’ve resigned, you know that.” Brianna said it lightly.

If chaos was brewing, she figured, why not crank it up? No one was escaping unscathed.

Gabrielle, once a force in the business world, could see right through their little games.

Gabrielle said, “The higher you rise, the farther you fall. Our company seems untouchable. Everyone admires it, but tons of people are rooting for our downfall just so they can step up.

“An external attack won’t finish it off fast, but destroying it from the inside? That’s game over in an instant.”

She stopped there.

Brianna knew the warning was for Brandon and Margo.

Margo had started at the company before Brandon, with deeper experience and impressive results. But when their father stepped down, Brandon got the top job.

Margo resented it deeply.

Then, when Brandon discovered her husband was pocketing kickbacks through his role, he fired him immediately, no discussion. That only widened the gap between the siblings.

They kept up appearances, but Margo would sabotage him here and there, quietly hoping he’d crash and burn.

As she saw Brianna casually snacking on fruit like she was above it all, Gabrielle’s frustration boiled over again. “Look at this mess your family’s in!”

“It’s just a hot search, big whoop. Is it really worth all this rage?” Brandon brushed it off with a shrug.

Brianna said, “Our family’s scandals are filthy enough, but some folks are like flies on shit. They flock to it! If you don’t protect your own image, who else is to blame?”

Catching Brianna’s subtle dig, Brandon gave her a few bitter glances.

He thought, ‘What has gotten into her? The woman who used to walk on eggshells around me has completely changed her

tune.

Gabrielle was surprised by the shift but quietly appreciated it. “Stop pouting. Head back to the office and watch Brandon

Chapter 5 Confronting Gabrielle

closely”

She said that last bit with real emphasis.

Brianna flashed back to her own mother and felt like the words carried extra weight. “No way I’m done going back.”

“So you’re giving up work entirely?” Margo’d just begun to admire her, and she thought, ‘Now she is sliding back into full- time homemaker mode, orbiting Brandon?

“No! I’m going to do something for myself.” No point holding back now. “I’ve dreamed of starting my own brand and designing jewelry for years. It’s time to turn that into reality.”

Margo let out a snort of laughter, spraying out the coffee she’d just taken a sip of

Gabrielle shot her a disapproving frown and jumped in. The Levy family isn’t hurting for money. Just focus on keeping Brandon in line and looking after Kendra. That’s all the thanks I need.”

Brianna straightened up, her voice firm and unwavering. “I’ve already decided. This isn’t open for debate.”

Gabrielle started to protest, but Brandon interrupted: “Mom, that’s the end of it. Let’s just eat.”

Brianna glanced over at him. She thought, ‘Is he actually taking my side? Pigs must be flying, for the first time in years, he is standing up for me.‘

She’d always gone out of her way to please him before, swallowing her pride just to get a scrap of attention, but it never paid off.

Today, after she’d thrown shade at him left and right, here he was defending her. Men really did thrive on being treated like dirt.

After dinner, as the three of them headed out, Kendra latched onto Brianna, pleading to come home with her.

Brianna gently loosened Kendra’s grip and explained softly, “Mommy’s swamped right now. Head home with Daddy for a bit, and as soon as I free up, I’ll come spend time with you.”

Kendra looked crushed.

All her life, Brianna had always prioritized her. This was the first time she’d asked for Brianna’s company and been shot down.

A little miffed, she turned on her heel, climbed back into the car, and gave Brianna the cold shoulder.

Brianna had planned to broach the divorce, but she didn’t want Kendra overhearing. Better to wait, next time she had a quiet moment, she’d ease into the conversation.

The hurt was unavoidable, but she’d minimize it as much as possible. She’d brought Kendra into the world, and even if Kendra leaned toward her enemy’s camp, she’d still step up as a mother.

She didn’t bother saying more to Brandon and just drove off the other way.

Tears of hurt brimmed in Kendra’s eyes. “Daddy, is Mommy angry?”

Brandon said, “Mommy’s not angry. She’s just tied up with stuff at the moment. Give it a couple days. She’ll be back.”

Kendra opened her mouth to say something else when her phone pinged.

A message from Darcy, asking if she wanted to hit up Disneyland tomorrow.

Just like that, her sulk evaporated, and she bounced with excitement, telling Brandon she wanted to go to Disneyland with Darcy the next day.

Brandon gave a nod of approval.

Back home, Brandon walked into the bedroom and noticed the Hermès boxes he’d left on the sofa at the end of the bed.

The ribbons were untouched. Obviously, she hadn’t spotted the gifts he’d brought back.

He furrowed his brow, an odd sensation bubbling up inside, something weird and new that he couldn’t quite place.

Stepping into the bathroom, he felt like something was amiss, though he couldn’t put his finger on it.

Right then, his phone rang. It was Darcy, asking if she could take Kendra out for some fun.

Darcy was so vibrant and sunny, loaded with talents, innocent and sweet, nothing like Brianna. More time with her would be great for Kendra.

“Brandon…” Darcy trailed off hesitantly.

“Yeah?”

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