Chapter 23 That’s a Keepsake From Your Mother
The banquet hall fell silent in an instant. It wasn’t just Gabriel. Every guest turned to Sabrina, their eyes wide with shock.
Theodore stepped forward without hesitation, shielding her behind him.
That small gesture spoke volumes, showing everyone just how much she meant to him.
Gabriel’s face darkened to a steely gray.
“Ridiculous!” he barked, his voice cutting through the stillness. “You’re not even married, so how could you have a daughter?”
Theodore’s eyes narrowed. He knew his father too well. Gabriel wasn’t mad about the fact that he had a daughter. In fact, he was furious that Theodore had brought her here, publicly claiming her as his own.
Gabriel’s piercing stare bore into him, cold and unyielding. “Theodore, get this girl out of here.”
He wanted to sweep the whole thing under the rug, pretend it never happened.
Theodore saw right through it. He knew Gabriel refused to
Chapter 23 That’s a Keepsake From Your M… acknowledge Sabrina.
2/8
“Don’t let me down, Theodore,” Gabriel warned, his tone growing heavier when he saw his son hesitate.
Theodore glanced back at Sabrina.
Her face was a blank mask as if none of this fazed her.
But he knew better. He knew she wasn’t unaffected, and she’d just learned long ago not to expect anything from anyone.
Meeting Gabriel’s gaze head–on, Theodore raised his voice, firm and clear. “I’ve done the paternity test. She’s my flesh and
blood.”
“Theodore!” Gabriel’s shout cracked like a whip.
He was livid, on the verge of erupting.
But then his eyes caught on the necklace around Sabrina’s neck. He froze, then shot to his feet in a flash.
“You… you gave her ‘Forever Devotion“?” he sputtered, pointing at Sabrina, his face twisting with disbelief.
Sabrina blinked, caught off guard by the name.
She glanced down at the pearls, a faint realization dawning.
Theodore stood tall, unflinching. “She’s my daughter. Who else would I give it to?”
Chapter 23 That’s a Keepsake From Your M… In his mind, she deserved nothing less than the best.
“She’s worthy of it?” Gabriel snarled, glaring at Sabrina with
venom.
3/8
“She’s my daughter, so of course she is! Or what, should it go. to those shady women you keep on the side?” Theodore’s voice. turned icy, his patience snapping.
“Shut your mouth!” Gabriel roared, his face black with humiliation at being called out in front of everyone.
The father and son locked eyes, tension crackling between them, neither willing to back down.
After a long, taut silence, Gabriel finally spoke.
“That’s a keepsake from your mother!” he said, his voice thick with indignation. Not to mention, the necklace was worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Theodore had always guarded anything tied to his mother fiercely, forbidding anyone from mentioning her or touching her things. Gabriel couldn’t believe he’d just handed it over like that.
Sabrina’s eyes widened in surprise.
She’d known the necklace was valuable, but a relic from Theodore’s mother? That was news to her.
Before she could process it, Theodore cut in. “Since it belonged
Chapter 23 That’s a Keepsake From Your M…
4/8
to my mother, then I have the right to decide what to do with it.”
“Are you defying me, Theodore?” Gabriel’s voice dropped another octave, deep and threatening.
The younger guests held their breath, intimidated by the showdown.
Theodore met his father’s stare, unflinching. “Dad, I’m not asking for your permission.”
Gabriel’s expression darkened further, but he relented with at scoff. “Fine, a little girl like her won’t stir up much trouble. Keep her as a pet project if you want.”
Sabrina’s brow furrowed.
A pel project?
Is he seriously treating me like some toy?
This old man is definitely out of his mind!
She shot Gabriel a frosty look, her thoughts drifting to the other old man.
She felt that man was way more likable than this guy.
Gabriel caught her staring and turned his sharp eyes on her.
Sabrina didn’t flinch, holding his gaze steady.
Chapter 23 That’s a Keepsake From Your M…
5/8
The younger generation of the Fridman family were all terrified of Gabriel, and even Theodore was afraid of him when he was
young.
This was the first time a junior had dared meet his eyes like that. And a girl, no less.
Intrigued, Gabriel raised an eyebrow. “What’s your name?”
“Sabrina,” she replied, standing tall with poise so flawless it was impossible to fault.
“You’re young, but you’ve got guts,” Gabriel said in a flat tone, making it impossible to tell if he was praising or criticizing her.
Sabrina flashed a small smile. “You flatter me. It’s nothing special.”
Gabriel’s eyes widened.
He could tell she knew he wasn’t complimenting her, yet she twisted it anyway.
Everyone could hear the displeasure in his words, but Sabrina played dumb, shutting him down with a single line.
“Where do you go to school?” he pressed, his brow creasing as he kept up the interrogation.
“Harvard–Westlake School.”
“How are your grades?”
Chapter 23 That’s a Keepsake From Your M… 6/8 Gabriel was a workaholic and had extremely high demands for his children. Few people could satisfy him. He sized her up like she was one of his employees.
“Dad, Rina’s not your subordinate,” Theodore interjected. He’d grown up under that same scrutiny and resented it. Seeing Gabriel turn it on Sabrina now set him on edge.
He was about to say more when Sabrina’s bright voice rang out, tinged with a hint of pride.
“They’re alright. Just first in my grade.’
Gabriel was struck speechless.
He waved a hand, tossing a sarcastic jab at Theodore. “Well, your daughter’s quite the overachiever.”
Theodore nearly burst out laughing but held it together with so many eyes on them.
After parting ways with Gabriel, he led Sabrina to the dessert table.
Her face lit up instantly.
Sabrina had a sweet tooth, and the array of cakes and pastries left her torn, unsure where to start.
“Grab whatever you like,” Theodore said, reading her mind and handing her a big plate.
Chapter 23 That’s a Keepsake From Your M… She didn’t hold back, piling it high with her favorites.
7/8
Theodore grabbed a plate too, loading it with an assortment of snacks.
They found a quiet corner to settle into.
“You really surprised me back there,” he said, chuckling at the memory of Gabriel being rendered speechless.
Sabrina scooped a bite of ice cream and glanced up at him. “He doesn’t like me, and I don’t like him.”
She had no intention of bending over backward for someone who didn’t care for her.
After living through one lifetime already, she’d vowed never lot let herself be pushed around again.
If Gabriel crossed her, she’d push right back.
Theodore hadn’t expected her to be so blunt.
He opened his mouth to respond but came up empty. After all, she was dead right.
After that little scene, everyone knew Theodore had a daughter.
And she’d been officially recognized by the Fridman family.
It was hands–down the juiciest gossip of the night in high
