Chapter 116

Half an hour later, all the dishes had arrived, but Sebastian and Warren were still nowhere to be seen.

James was getting ready to step out and make another call when he opened the private room door to find Sebastian and Warren standing right there.

“Finally! All the food’s here. Any later and we would’ve eaten everything and left.” James stepped aside to let them in.

Sebastian walked into the room with his eyes slightly downcast, making his way to the seat beside Dorian before finally looking up to glance at Abigail. “Mr. Cox, it’s been too long,” he said.

Warren entered and took the seat next to James. “It really has been a while, Ren. Ever since you guys moved your business to Cobridge, we hardly see you anymore.”

Dorian finished speaking and turned to Sebastian, who had settled beside him. “So you do remember you have a grandpa? At my age, you drag me all the way over here and can’t even be bothered to visit me in the hospital? You’ve got some nerve.”

Sebastian raised his hand and rubbed his nose, looking slightly embarrassed. “I’ve just been swamped lately, you know? Besides, you and Mr. Gibson were such good friends back in the day. I thought it’d be nice for you two to catch up.”

“You little rascal!” Dorian reached over and smacked him lightly.

Sebastian grinned. “It’s getting late anyway.”

Wyatt stood up, raising his glass. “Seb, I really owe you for looking after Abby and me. She’s young and doesn’t have much experience with all the social stuff yet. Tonight’s dinner is on me.”

Abigail quickly stood and poured herself a drink too.

“Mr. Gibson, you don’t need to be so formal with me. I value her abilities. I just recognize talent when I see it.” The moment Sebastian finished speaking, he felt a kick under the table. He glanced at Dorian, who was calmly eating as if nothing had happened.

“Either way, here’s to you.” Wyatt downed his whiskey in one gulp.

Abigail took a sip and immediately stuck her tongue out from the burn.

Wyatt laughed. “Doesn’t taste good, does it?”

“It’s so strong,” Abigail gasped, her eyes watering and her neck flushing red.

Sebastian looked at her with casual amusement. “You barely drink beer, and now you’re trying whiskey?”

Abigail’s throat was on fire. Despite everything, she settled back into her chair with a relaxed mood. She tried some food, taking a moment before commenting, “It smells amazing, but wow, that stuff burns going down.”

“She doesn’t appreciate good whiskey yet. All she knows is that it’s strong. Eat more food,” Dorian said with a laugh to Wyatt.

Sebastian poured himself a glass and took a slow sip before responding, “This whiskey really does have a clean finish.”

Abigail couldn’t understand how anyone could taste anything “clean” in something that fiery.

“Well then, you’ll have to drink a few more with us,” Dorian said immediately.

Sebastian nodded, that easy smile never leaving his face.

Abigail focused on her meal, eating steadily. By the time everyone was full and satisfied, Wyatt was thoroughly drunk and Dorian was pretty fuzzy too. Only Sebastian remained completely composed.

James looked around the table and asked Sebastian, “Should we probably head out now?”

“Are you going back to the hotel tonight, or to Gibson Villa?” Sebastian asked Abigail.

Abigail glanced at Wyatt, who was already wasted, and thought for a moment. “Could you help me get Grandpa home? I think I’ll go back to the hotel.”

She figured there probably wasn’t room for her at Gibson Villa anyway.

James leaned closer to Wyatt. “Did you let the Gibson family know you were coming home?”

Wyatt raised his hand and waved it around. “Told them. Abby’s coming home. I’ve got your back!”

“Okay.” Abigail walked over to help steady him.

“Let Mr. Gibson sober up a bit first. He can sit here in the private room for a while.” Warren turned to Abigail with a knowing look.

“If he goes back this drunk, he won’t be able to get a word in edgewise. Then he’ll just get angry when he loses the argument.”

Wyatt immediately slammed his hand on the table and sat up straight. “Who says I’ll lose? I’m protecting my granddaughter here. Even if I can’t out-argue those bastards, I can sure as hell beat the crap out of them!”

“That’s not necessarily true,” Warren said with a sly grin. “From what I hear, the Gibson family’s specialty is moral manipulation. In their own territory, they’re practically unbeatable.”

“That’s exactly why I need to take Abby back with me.” Wyatt’s voice grew heavy as he slumped back over the table. “Otherwise they’ll just keep making her life hell.”

Abigail sat in her chair, watching Wyatt’s flushed face as he mumbled to himself. A small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

James leaned over to Sebastian and said quietly, “Abby seems really happy today.”

Sebastian had noticed it too. Today, she didn’t have that cold, guarded demeanor she usually wore around others.