Chapter 153

Stephen’s face turned red with anger. “I have to get to Silverdale. Her phone isn’t even with her. What if they tricked her into some kind of trafficking scheme?” He grabbed Ralph’s phone and headed for the door.

Ralph grabbed him and pulled him back, frowning with clear irritation. “Why are you being so crazy? I haven’t even talked to him yet, and you scared the guy into hanging up. He might not even pick up if I call back.”

Stephen had snatched the phone so fast that Ralph didn’t even have time to react. This was the first time Ralph had seen Stephen lose his temper like this.

Stephen was completely panicked. “How can I not be crazy? You called Abby and she didn’t answer—some guy picked up instead! I’m booking a flight to Silverdale right now!”

“Would you please just calm down!” Ralph grabbed his arm.

“How am I supposed to calm down? Abby’s with these people in a foreign country. If something happens to her, we’ll never even find out!” Stephen was practically jumping out of his skin.

Ralph’s voice showed his growing frustration. “Even if you fly over there right now, then what? You know how big Silverdale is, don’t you?”

That stopped Stephen cold.

Ralph noticed how his panic and composure seemed to switch on and off like a light—one second he was freaking out, the next he was completely still.

“So what do we do?” Stephen forced himself to stay calm and asked Ralph.

“If they really wanted to hurt her, her phone would be completely dead. Most likely she’s just busy and can’t answer. So at least let me explain the situation before you make any decisions. You’re wasting both our time here.” Ralph looked completely helpless.

If it were anyone else, he’d definitely be worried. But everyone in their circle knew about Sebastian, James, and Warren.

“They’re just going there for work. Manning family cars sell really well overseas, and there’s a new car launch happening in Silverdale next month. It’s a smart car, so you can figure out why they want Abby there, right?” Ralph wasn’t concerned about Abigail at all.

Sebastian and Abigail had a working relationship, nothing more. Sebastian had plenty of options, and someone with Abigail’s background could never match up to his family’s status. Stephen’s worries were completely unnecessary.

“Writing software for smart cars?” Stephen finally caught on.

“Something like that,” Ralph said calmly. “Look, I’m not trying to put Abby down, but she’s been to prison and doesn’t have much education. Getting into Halden Group was already incredibly lucky for her.

“You think they’re actually interested in her? They probably just want her because her programming skills are decent.”

Stephen heard this and got angry. “That’s exactly what looking down on her sounds like! You think she’s not good enough for Sebastian! So what if Sebastian’s successful and comes from money? He’s still a man with normal feelings and desires!”

“I didn’t mean to sound like I was putting her down,” Ralph tried to explain.

Stephen cut him off, “You’re looking down on her. You think the way she is now means she’s not good enough for better people.

“Ralph, we’re friends, and even though I had plenty of complaints about Abigail before, the fact is she’s exceptional. She got into Vanguard University, which proves she’s not ordinary.”

Stephen used to hate Abigail because Daniella had blinded him to the truth. But once he saw clearly, he realized Abigail was far superior to Daniella. Stephen continued, “She learned computer programming in prison, and as soon as she got out, Halden Group promoted her and sent her on a business trip to Silverdale with Sebastian. Doesn’t that prove how talented she is?”

Stephen finished speaking and got up to leave.

“You keep focusing on her rough background and her time in prison, but you’re not seeing her actual abilities.”

Ralph immediately followed him, grabbing his wrist. “I was wrong just now. I only looked at one side of things and didn’t consider the whole picture. Don’t be mad.”

“How can I not be mad? Yeah, I played a part in her going to prison, and that’s exactly why I feel so guilty about it. When you talk like that, it makes me feel terrible too,” Stephen sighed.

If he admitted that Abigail’s time in prison made her unworthy of better people, he’d basically be admitting that he had ruined her life.

Back then, if even one person in the Gibson family had objected, Abigail never would have been sent to prison. She wouldn’t be here today having Ralph look down on her.

Ralph’s voice softened. “I’m sorry, Stevie. I wasn’t thinking when I said that. I actually came here today because I need to talk to you about something else.”

Ralph grabbed Stephen’s hand tightly. “I’ve been investigating Dani’s hit-and-run case, but I’ve hit a dead end.”

Stephen stopped walking when he heard this. “The case should be straightforward. We just need to find some solid evidence. Abby’s a witness, so if we can get proof, we can put Dani away.”

“That’s the problem—I can’t find any evidence. It looks like somebody deliberately wiped everything clean.” Ralph’s brows furrowed with frustration.