Chapter 70: Forcing a Public Apology

Sean released Abigail's chin and stepped aside. Looking down at her, he said, "We'll meet tonight. Send me a message, and I'll bring your drafts." He walked to the door, opened it, and left, leaving behind a lingering chill from Joan's earlier call.

Abigail sat alone for a while before showering. Afterward, she confided in Luna about Sean's request.

Luna, furious, threw her phone onto the couch. "He treated you well on the production team, so I thought your relationship had improved. But no… He's getting greedy, isn't he?"

"Joan still holds a special place in his heart," Abigail murmured.

Luna went to the coffee table, poured a glass of water, and drank it down. "I thought I could teach Joan a lesson, but… It must be nice having Sean protecting her, huh? My blood pressure is through the roof."

"What were you planning to do?" Abigail asked.

"I was going to make Joan publicly apologize. If she refused, I was considering suing her for defamation. But it looks like I'll have to endure this again. I thought our studio could avoid further trouble if she apologized." Luna sounded disheartened.

Abigail hummed thoughtfully before turning to Luna. "Sean wants me to message him later; he'll return the drafts. I don't want any more contact with him, so I'm considering just letting it go…" The mention of his earlier words extinguished the small flicker of hope in her heart.

"Why not? You two got along well on the production team, right? Just keep it up. You seriously need to try a little harder." Luna patted Abigail's shoulder, urging her.

Abigail grumbled, "I even considered burning his drafts."

Luna quickly replied, "Please don't! It's a great opportunity. Just meet him. Since he's asking you out, he must have something else to discuss. What if he gives the drafts to Joan if you don't show up?"

Abigail looked concerned. "But do you think he's being sincere?"

"It doesn't matter. Netizens are buying it anyway. A good pairing feels real, right? Why offend him for no reason? You benefit from being around him on the production team. It's a win-win!" Luna was a shrewd strategist.

Abigail sighed. "All right."

"You just need to interact with him. Gain popularity, maybe even annoy Joan. It's all upside!" Luna continued her analysis.

Abigail pushed Luna's hand away. "All right, I get it. I'll message him." She was also worried Sean might give the drafts to Joan.

It was 9:00 PM. Hidden in a rocky nook of the garden, Abigail messaged Sean: 'Why aren't you here yet? Too many mosquitoes. My legs are covered in bites.'

Upon receiving the message, he quickened his pace.

Cautiously peering out, Abigail found herself enveloped in Sean's embrace as he joined her in the rockery.

Sean looked down at her in the darkness. "What kind of place is this? Couldn't we have met somewhere else? Did it have to be so secretive?" A faint smile played on his lips, unseen in the dark.

She nervously scratched her arm. "I didn't want anyone to see us."

He lifted her chin. "What secret mission requires such secrecy?" He'd dressed up for a proper meeting, not this dimly lit spot. He hadn't anticipated her choice of location.

Abigail didn't want to argue. "Where are the drafts? Did you bring them?" she murmured.

He tightened his grip. "I have a few questions about those drafts. Answer honestly, and I'll give them to you."

Abigail looked away. "What is it?" she said indifferently.

"Who wrote these drafts?" His eyes seemed to pierce the darkness.

Her heart skipped a beat. "I'm not sure what you mean. I don't understand."

"Stop pretending, Abigail. I recognize your handwriting." Sean leaned closer. Their breaths mingled, and Abigail's heart pounded faster.

Abigail struggled, stepped on a stone, and stumbled backward into the rockery wall. Sean caught her, pulling her into his arms. "What's wrong?" he asked, concerned.

She took a deep breath. "My foot hurts… I think I sprained it."

He frowned and released her.