Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)

Chapter 2177

Danny immediately chimed in, "Baron's always been a stand-up guy, we all know that. And we're all in for you, man. Just say the word, and we'd go to the mat for you!"

"Ah, you're laying it on thick!" Baron said with a twinkle in his eye that betrayed his pleasure. "It's all in the drink. I'm gonna knock this one back first!"

There were five people around the dinner table, and the other two were also looking on with faces full of respect and admiration, quickly following suit and downing their drinks.

Baron noticed that Gabriel had only sipped his drink and gave a sly grin. "Man, I've met all sorts over the years, but Gabriel, you've been off the radar. Where've you been making your fortune?" © NôvelDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

Gabriel shrugged off his overcoat, revealing a crisp black shirt that accentuated his broad shoulders and lean waist. His presence was sharp, even subdued, he exuded an unmistakable air of authority that set him apart from the others.

He glanced up and replied casually, "Just a bit of business abroad."

"No wonder we haven't seen you around!" Danny laughed. "What kind of business?"

"Just small-time stuff, not worth mentioning," Gabriel said, deflecting.

Baron's mouth curled in slight disdain. "Times have changed, man. Doing business abroad used to be lucrative, but now? You could make more here just by punching the clock."

Danny agreed, "He's right. Gabriel, forget abroad. Come back and work with us."

"Work with me," Baron said with a lift of his glass, his confidence unshaken. "I'm just about to develop a new property. Be my foreman, and I guarantee you'll pull in this much a year!"

Baron held up two fingers.

"Two hundred thousand?" Danny guessed with a smile.

Baron frowned. "You think I'm cheap, or you think Gabriel's cheap?!"

Danny whistled in admiration, looking at Gabriel enviously. "Gabriel, what are you waiting for? Come back and work with Baron!"

Baron adjusted his shirt cuffs, revealing a glittering diamond watch. "Gabriel, you had my back when we were in training. I wouldn't offer this chance to just anyone."

Gabriel remained unmoved. "No need."

"Dude, you're turning down a two million dollar annual salary?" Danny looked at him incredulously, as if to say Gabriel was biting the hand that fed him. "How much do you even make after a year of busting your hump overseas?"

Shirley, eager to keep the peace, interjected, "Let's focus on catching up today, not business deals."

The others took the opportunity to toast Baron, clearly hoping to curry favor.

Shirley poured Gabriel another drink and whispered, "Danny just got married. He bought his place from Baron's development. Baron gave him a deal, knocked off ten percent. That's why he's kissing up to Baron. Don't take it to heart."

A few hundred thousand dollars off a multi-million dollar property was no small favor. Naturally, Danny was now looking up to Baron.

Gabriel nodded. "It's fine."

He was well accustomed to the ways of the world, where people gravitated towards those who could benefit them most and had no illusions about it.

After a while, another guy named Jackson raised his glass to Gabriel. "So, Gabriel, are you married yet?"

Gabriel, who had returned to the service at 24, was a few years older than most of the group.

"Not yet," Gabriel replied simply.

"Business keeping you busy? Got a girlfriend?"

"Nope."

Danny let out a knowing laugh. "Still not hitched, Gabriel? You're older than most of us here, right?"

Shirley joked, "Who's in a rush to get married these days? It's great to be single. Isn't Baron single too? It's called being a 'confirmed bachelor'—it means only the real high rollers can afford to stay single!"

Danny added, "With Baron, it's just that too many ladies are after him. He can't make up his mind!"

Baron laughed along. "Gabriel's not doing so badly himself. He's a good-looking guy. Remember how the girls used to chase him right back to the barracks?"