Chapter 112

Of course, Abigail felt a sense of vindication, but it wasn’t aimed at Daniella personally. It was directed at the entire Gibson family.

She had assumed Daniella meant the world to Bianca, Gabriel, and the rest of them. But now she saw the truth. When their core interests were at risk, even the beloved, spoiled daughter they had raised like a princess could be thrown under the bus.

Abigail felt nothing but pity and disgust for her past self–the one who had once longed for love from Gabriel and Bianca.

She looked at Bianca, her voice calm and eerily steady as she said, “This is what your so-called love for your child looks like."

“I used to be heartbroken because I couldn’t win your affection. Now I see the truth. It’s not that I wasn’t enough. It’s that neither of you deserved to be parents.”

Bianca’s tears came rushing down the moment she heard that. She wanted to say something, to explain, but Ralph had witnessed everything today.

There was no denying that she had chosen to sacrifice Daniella, the daughter she had raised and doted on for years, just to protect Gabriel.

“You go on ahead. I’ll come find you when I’m done here,” James said as he handed his car keys to Abigail, figuring it would only stress her out more if she stayed.

Abigail reached out and took them, her voice soft. “Thanks.”

When Abigail walked away, Bianca tried to call after her, but she didn’t slow down at all, not giving her a moment to catch up.

Daniella was still on the ground, looking humiliated and lost. Ralph glanced at her and then turned to follow Abigail.

He kept pace with Abigail all the way to the hospital parking lot. Finally, he couldn’t hold it in anymore and called out, “Abby.”

Abigail stopped with a sharp frown, turning to him with a cold look. “We’re not that close. Don’t call me that.”

Noticing the cold detachment in her eyes, Ralph felt a tightness in his chest and quickly stepped in front of her. With a hint of agitation, he asked, “Do you even know what kind of people Sebastian runs with?

“When they’re in a good mood, they treat you like a cute little pet, giving you all the attention. But when they’re not, who knows how they’ll treat you?”

Abigail looked up at him, unbothered. “And do you even know me?”

Hearing that, Ralph felt like a stone was lodged in his throat.

Abigail continued, “When I first came out of that place, you and the rest of the Gibson family looked down on me like I was dirt.

“You even tried to pressure me into leaving Halden Group by tossing me a bone, offering to make me your assistant.”

Abigail gave a bitter laugh. “I’m practical now. Whoever treats me well, I’ll treat them like a friend.”

The Gibson family had always claimed to love her, but there had never been any proof of it. And Ralph? He had never seen anything in her but someone to look down on.

Ralph said, “So even if you know they might just be messing with you-”

Abigail cut him off coldly, “Not everyone is like you people, Mr. Fletcher. Always projecting your narrow-minded views onto others, thinking you have them all figured out.” With that, she turned and walked toward the parking lot.

She didn’t care what Sebastian and the others really thought of her. What mattered was that she had gained something real from being around him.

Her grandfather was sick, but there was someone taking care of him now. Abigail didn’t have to worry about the hospital bills.

Sebastian had even arranged her place to stay. And when it came to work? He’d opened doors she never could’ve unlocked on her own.

Abigail knew full well she had a criminal record and no impressive degree to speak of. The only thing she had going for her was her skill in computer...

So, if she wanted to survive by Sebastian’s side, she had to make herself indispensable. She had to prove she was worth betting on.

‘It doesn’t matter how he sees me,‘ she thought. ‘What matters is that with his help, I can flip this wreck of a life around!

Even though Abigail’s words stung, Ralph kept after her. “I’ve been digging into what happened with you going to prison all those years ago. Once I have the evidence, you can start over. Just leave Sebastian behind, okay?”

She looked at him like he had lost his mind. “It’s been three years. I’ve already done my time, and you’re telling me I should start over now?”

Abigail mused, ‘I always thought that working hard and making the most of my talent in tech was already starting over for me.

‘Ralph is so full of himself. He’s stuck three years in the past, back when I hadn’t gone to prison yet. He still thinks I’m that girl who followed him around like a lost puppy, treating every word he said like gospel?‘

Abigail frowned, her tone sharper as she asked, “And what are you going to do if you do find something? I’ve already served the sentence.

“By the time you dig up the truth, I’ll be well-established at Halden Group. Things with Sebastian will be going great. So, what exactly is that truth going to fix?”

Because deep down, Abigail knew that the truth would only make Ralph feel better about himself.

Ralph insisted, “At the very least, it could free you from the stain on your record. You’re still young. You could apply for jobs, go back to school-”

“No need,” Abigail interrupted, her voice edged with frustration. “That’s your crusade, not mine. But even if you don’t do a thing, the truth will come out sooner or later.”

She spotted James‘ car, climbed into the passenger seat, and shut the door without looking back. Ralph knocked on the window, but she ignored him.

She understood Daniella better than anyone. After having her act exposed by James right in front of Ralph, and being publicly shamed like that, Daniella would definitely come after her now.