Chapter 134

Stephen walked into Gibson Villa and found Daniella gone. Christian was gone too—just Bianca sitting alone in the living room. “Did Abby come home?” he asked while changing his shoes.

Bianca stood up with a worried tone. “You didn’t pick her up either? That girl… I haven’t seen her come back.”

“Oh.” Stephen was in a bad mood and headed for the stairs.

But Bianca stopped him right away. “Come with me somewhere.”

“Where?” Stephen wasn’t in the mood. He felt terrible and really didn’t want to go out again.

“I ask you to take me one place and you’re already complaining,” Bianca said with clear annoyance in her voice.

Stephen had no choice but to put his shoes back on and head outside. “Fine, I’ll get the car.”

Once they were both in the car, Stephen drove in silence. Bianca couldn’t help but speak up, “You’ve been so harsh with Dani that she won’t even eat dinner at home anymore. She’s been part of the Gibson family for years—you don’t have to be so mean to her.”

“How am I being mean? She’s just too sensitive. Say two words and she falls apart. Who does she think she is?” Stephen was realizing that once he started looking at Daniella objectively, he found her absolutely disgusting.

“You—”

“What about me? What is she anyway? She’s an adopted daughter, but she thinks she’s some kind of princess!” Stephen was furious. ‘She won’t even eat dinner at home—fine, let her starve!’ he thought.

“Why are you being so hostile?” Bianca really felt like Stephen had been like a lit firecracker lately, exploding at the slightest provocation.

“I can’t be annoyed when I see her acting like that? What’s with all the dramatics? She’s not even the real daughter.” Stephen’s tone was bitter.

“Stevie, have you ever considered that maybe Abby—”

“Don’t start with that nonsense again just to defend Daniella. I think you and Dad are completely ridiculous. You ignore your real daughter and coddle this ungrateful girl instead. Do you guys just love raising ungrateful kids? Is that your hobby or something?”

Stephen didn’t care if Bianca got mad. She was the one who brought up Daniella in the first place.

“I’m done talking to you!” Bianca turned to look out the window.

Actually, Stephen had a point. They’d done genetic testing back then, and it was conclusive—Abigail was definitely their daughter. ‘So was the information Gabriel and I got later completely false?’ Bianca wondered.

When they pulled up in front of the Hearth Table, Stephen stopped the car and looked outside. He frowned, “This is the place you wanted to come to? It looks like just some tiny little restaurant.”

Bianca didn’t say anything as she opened the car door and got out. Stephen went to find a parking spot.

When Bianca walked into the Hearth Table, Judy looked up and seemed surprised for a moment before approaching with a friendly smile. “What can I get for you today? There’s a menu on the table.”

Bianca nodded and sat down at a nearby table. She was dressed elegantly, her skin well-maintained—clearly someone who lived comfortably.

Judy returned to the kitchen and watched her through the glass window. ‘So this is Abigail’s mother,’ she thought. But remembering what the Gibson family had done to Abigail, she looked away without any warmth.

After looking over the menu, Bianca asked, “Do you have any herbal tea blends for sleep? My two daughters come here regularly to buy some, though I’m not sure if this is the right place.”

“What are your daughters’ names?” Judy asked deliberately.

Stephen walked in just as she asked this and immediately answered, “Abigail and Daniella.”

“Only someone named Abigail has been here, but that was years ago—maybe three years since her last visit,” Judy replied, directing her answer to Stephen.

Stephen’s lips twisted into a cold smile. “So Daniella never came here?”

“I’m not sure about that, but you could show me a photo. I remember my regular customers pretty well,” Judy said with a smile.

Stephen pulled out his phone and showed Judy a photo of Daniella.

After looking at it, Judy shook her head. “Never seen her come in here before.”

Bianca had actually come here today to confirm her suspicions. “Could you make me a bowl of what Abigail always orders?” she asked.

The truth was, Stephen wasn’t the only one who was getting sick of Daniella. Bianca had been watching her too, and sometimes, she really did seem way too high-maintenance.

Especially when she remembered what Abigail had mentioned about wanting to see the parade and visit Pioneer Fortress. Those were things they’d promised her years ago, but every single time, Daniella would throw a tantrum and they’d end up leaving Abigail behind.