Chapter 136

“Stevie, I’m not selfish,” Daniella finally cracked under his harsh words and started crying.

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she looked up at Stephen, choking out her words. “I couldn’t find the Hearth Table, so I just searched for a place on the delivery app that had chicken soup and went to buy it.

“I didn’t mean to… I just wanted Mom to love me more.”

Stephen was about to say more, but Bianca grabbed his arm. “Let it go. Maybe she really didn’t mean it.”

“Mom, I didn’t do it on purpose. I lied because Abigail came back and I felt insecure,” Daniella cried as she looked at Bianca, making herself look as pitiful as possible.

For the first time, Stephen saw through her act of playing the victim, and it made his blood boil.

Furious, he pointed at Daniella and threatened, “Try lying to me one more time! You said you couldn’t find the Hearth Table on delivery apps, but I found it just fine. They’re a five-star restaurant that’s been on there for years. How is it that only you can’t find them?”

“Alright, do you really need to be so aggressive?” Christian interjected.

“Fine, I won’t be aggressive. Tomorrow, she’s coming with me to the hospital, and we’re bringing Ralph too. She’s getting another evaluation, because I want to see if she really has depression!”

Stephen didn’t trust a single word that came out of Daniella’s mouth anymore. Every sentence felt like a lie wrapped in fake emotions.

“Stevie,” Daniella looked at him in disbelief. “Even if you hate me, you don’t have to doubt me like this, do you?”

“Just tell me if you dare to go or not! I won’t say anything else, but if you had any conscience at all, you wouldn’t be too lazy to order Mom a simple bowl of chicken soup.”

Stephen had yelled at Bianca that day, but he’d been furious then. Now that he’d cooled down, he still felt bad for Bianca. After all, Bianca spoiled Daniella the most in this family.

Daniella apologized, “Mom, I’m sorry. I won’t do this again.”

“Someone who lies as easily as breathing–I don’t believe you’ll change. Unless you come to the hospital with me tomorrow.” Stephen was determined to investigate everything about Daniella now.

Stephen continued, “I’m not trying to settle scores with you. Just ask yourself. Have we been unfair to you? Even knowing you weren’t our biological daughter, Chris and I spoiled you rotten.

“You spend almost three million dollars every month while Chris and I get by on 700 thousand at most. We gave you all the spending money, bought you clothes and bags, gave you whatever you wanted. And what did you do in return?”

Stephen waited for Daniella’s answer. Abigail grabbed some water and snacks, then turned to head upstairs. She’d heard the argument but figured it had nothing to do with her.

Her complete indifference made Bianca speak up. “Abby, I went to the Hearth Table today. The owner still remembers you even though you haven’t been there in three years.”

Abigail paused, confused. ‘Was Judy covering for me?’ she thought.

“So what?” She stopped on the stairs and asked coldly, “What’s your point?”

Bianca felt like she’d been slapped. ‘What was my point? Did I expect Abigail to suddenly remember the good times we used to have?’ she thought.

Bianca suddenly realized she didn’t have the right to bring up the past anymore. She’d given all the love that should have gone to Abigail to Daniella instead, and Daniella hadn’t even been genuinely grateful for it.

‘Am I trying to put all my expectations for a daughter on Abigail because Daniella let me down?’ Bianca thought.

“Actually, Mom wanted to say that she wasn’t completely ungrateful for how good you used to be to her,” Stephen said.

A cold smile tugged at the corner of Abigail’s lips. “Do I need her gratitude? Just because she remembers how I treated her before, am I supposed to put on some touching mother-daughter reunion show?”

“Watch your mouth!” Christian immediately snapped.

“I won’t watch anything. So what? I’m not part of your Gibson family anyway. I’m just Grandpa’s granddaughter. What’s that got to do with you people? Don’t try to lecture me!” Abigail lifted her chin defiantly.

Christian stepped forward, ready to slap her across the face.

Wyatt’s voice cut through from the second-floor hallway where he’d been watching. “Chris, if you lay one finger on her, you’ll lose every position you have in the Gibson family tomorrow, and your shares will go to her as compensation.”

Christian looked up at Wyatt. “Grandpa, you’re being way too biased. She’s talking to me so disrespectfully-”

“Have you ever spoken to her respectfully? When I wasn’t around to see it, this is how you all bullied her, isn’t it?” Wyatt straightened up, his voice ice-cold as he confronted Christian.

Before Christian could respond, Wyatt continued, “Abby only acknowledges me, and I’ll protect her. As for the rest of you? You never treated her well, so don’t come crawling around expecting her to be obedient now!”