Chapter 155

The trip to Silverdale had passed before Abigail even realized it. Back in Chesterwick, she wheeled her small suitcase into the Halden Group office building.

She hadn’t brought much with her to Silverdale, just a change of clothes stuffed into a backpack. Once she got there, Sebastian and the others had arranged everything else.

As soon as Leon saw her walk in, he jumped to his feet, eyes bright with curiosity. “Was Silverdale fun? I’ve traveled to quite a few places, but I’ve never been abroad.”

“We didn’t really go sightseeing much. It was mostly work. But if you ever visit for fun, you should grab a meal at St. Montclair Palace. It’s worth it,” Abigail answered, rolling her suitcase over to her desk and sitting down.

Opening her luggage, she pulled out a box of Fiorenzo coffee and handed it to Leon. “Didn’t you say you’re into coffee? I bought this for you. Oh, and some chocolate too.”

With that, Abigail fished out another box of chocolate and passed it to him, smiling as his face lit up with surprise.

Leon cradled the coffee and chocolate with genuine delight. “I can’t believe you thought of me during your work trip.”

“Isn’t that what friends are for?” Abigail chuckled. Before returning, she had even asked Sebastian and the others for suggestions and picked out some local specialties from Silverdale.

Of course, she had brought back something for everyone in the office, just not as much as Leon got. After handing out the rest, she turned to him and said, “Come with me. Let’s check in with Mr. Newman about the automotive AI system.”

Leon set down the chocolate he had just started to unwrap and followed her into the office.

Once inside, Abigail got straight to the point. “Since your wife called me a homewrecker last time, I didn’t bring you anything this time. Didn’t want to cause another misunderstanding.”

“Uh… fair enough.” Timothy looked a little awkward but didn’t seem to mind much. He had traveled all over for work, so things like this didn’t impress him easily.

“I’ve already gone through the files you sent over,” Timothy said, glancing at Abigail and Leon. “Right now, the main thing they’re asking for is stronger motion detection, and honestly, that’s the toughest bit.”

The three of them talked until it was time to get off work. Abigail grabbed her suitcase and headed out with Leon, ready to leave.

Just then, a few colleagues came over. “Abigail, that chocolate you brought was amazing, and the coffee smelled so good. Thank you!”

Another chimed in, “Next time you’re going abroad, let me know, okay? I’ve been meaning to ask you to pick up a few makeup items.”

One more added, “This is my favorite cake. I ordered a piece for you, but you were in that meeting for so long. Take it with you and have it later.”

As they chatted, everyone else gathered around.

Seeing that the cake was placed into her hands, Abigail glanced at the girl smiling at her, and nodded. “Thank you.”

After exchanging WhatsApp contacts with everyone, she and Leon walked out of the office building together.

Leon genuinely felt happy for her. “Looks like people are starting to warm up to you.”

“Yeah…” Abigail looked down at the cake in her hand. It was so delicate and pastel pink, she figured it probably tasted as good as it looked.

Suddenly, someone called out, “Abby!” and Abigail’s train of thought was cut short.

She looked up and spotted James waving at her from beside a luxury car, with Sebastian standing next to him. Dressed in a suit, Sebastian looked strikingly handsome, and even his hair was styled a little differently this time.

Abigail froze for a second. She had to admit that Sebastian looked incredible. He could be casually standing around and someone could take photos of him, and he would go viral online.

Leon noticed the way Sebastian was staring at her and instinctively tightened his grip on the suitcase. He could tell that there was nothing innocent about the way that man looked at her.

Leon had already heard that Abigail was on a business trip with Sebastian’s friend, James. For Halden Group’s research team, this car smart system was a great project. It was straightforward and purely technical, without a lot of messy complications.

The research department was all about these kinds of projects. Usually, Halden Group didn’t get these kinds of chances, since James’ family already had their own expert team. So, Leon knew full well that it was thanks to Abigail that they got involved at all.

But now, looking at things, Leon was starting to think Sebastian might actually be interested in her.

“Well, I’ll get going then,” Abigail said, glancing at Leon. He could clearly see a happiness and glow in her eyes that hadn’t been there before.

Leon nodded, still feeling a bit dazed. He pondered, ‘So Abigail really does like Sebastian…’

As Abigail walked over to Sebastian with a spring in her step, Leon couldn’t help but feel jealous and a little embarrassed. He realized he just didn’t stack up against Sebastian, and honestly, if he were Abigail, he would’ve chosen Sebastian too.

But that didn’t mean Leon could accept it. He hated how ordinary he was and how he never had what it took to stand by her side and be the kind of man she deserved.

As soon as Abigail reached Sebastian, he took her suitcase from her without a word.

Sebastian loaded it into the trunk and turned back to her, saying, “Mr. Wyatt Gibson is meeting with Ren to talk about a collaboration.”

Abigail understood now—they hadn’t come here just to pick her up.