Chapter 156

Sebastian let out a heavy breath and added, “We only heard about it while we were coming to get you.”

Abigail gave him a look that was equal parts annoyed and speechless before turning on her heels and walking off.

Sebastian couldn’t resist messing with her, and seeing her pout only made him smile. He rushed ahead, cutting her off by the car. “Come on, humor me. Ride with me.”

Abigail had originally planned to ride with James.

James, watching the two bicker like a couple, chuckled and slipped into his own car. “Looks like Abby was hoping we really came just to pick her up."

Abigail shot back immediately, frowning, “I was not.”

Sebastian turned his head and warned James, “Hey, stop it now.”

James just smiled without saying anything.

Sebastian reached out and opened the car door. Standing behind it, he looked at Abigail. “Are you getting in?”

With a deep sigh, Abigail finally slid into the seat. Just as Sebastian was about to close the door, a hand reached out from the side and grabbed it.

Stephen looked straight at her inside the car and said, “You just got back from a business trip, and now you’re with him again? You should be going home for dinner after work. Come with me.”

Abigail was beyond annoyed. “Seriously, what’s your problem? We have things to do, now go away.”

She used to envy how Daniella was always the center of Stephen’s world. Now that it was her turn, all she felt was irritation, and she couldn’t figure out why.

Stephen grew anxious. “What else could you possibly have to do? You just got back from a business trip. You should go home and get some rest. Stop running yourself ragged. You have to take care of yourself.”

He wondered, ‘What’s with Abby sticking to Sebastian like glue? Don’t tell me they’re actually dating. I mean, it’s not like I would stop her.

‘But this is her first relationship. Maybe outsiders don’t know about Sebastian’s reputation, but everyone in our circle sure does. The guy is a player and swaps girlfriends like it’s nothing. How is my sweet, clueless little sister supposed to handle a guy like that?’

Just imagining Abigail getting dumped by Sebastian made Stephen’s blood rush to his head. His temper flared, and any hint of logic flew out the window.

“What’s it got to do with you, huh? You’re getting on my last nerve. Move!” Abigail snapped as she kicked Stephen aside, sending him stumbling away from the car door.

Sebastian grabbed Stephen by the collar, yanked him out of the way, and shut the car door.

He smoothed out his sleeves, eyed the anxious and completely powerless Stephen, and said, “Don’t push me, man. I’m in too good a mood to mess with you.” With that, he was ready to walk away.

But Stephen caught up with him and warned, “I don’t care if you’re dating Abby. But I swear, if you ever cheat on her and break her heart, I’ll cut you into pieces.

“I don’t even care if I end up in prison. Let’s see you date anyone after that!”

Sebastian let out a laugh, more amused than angry. He turned, grabbed Stephen’s collar again, and said nonchalantly, “Maybe instead of lecturing me, you should worry about your own mess. Clean that up, and maybe she’ll actually look your way.”

As much as rage was clouding his judgment, Stephen still froze at those words.

Sebastian let go of him, stepped back, opened the door, and got into the car.

James drove a slow circle around Stephen before grinning and calling out through the window, “Oh, that’s just sad, man. Pathetic, really. Alright, we’re out. Bye!”

Abigail sat quietly inside, watching Stephen clench his fists as he stood there, staring at their car. She wasn’t sure how she felt at that moment.

She despised him, but at the same time, she knew he was just stubborn and hopelessly dense.

Abigail thought, ‘When he was good to Daniella, he went all in. But the moment he found out she was using him, he turned on her and started being good to me instead. And even that feels just as shallow.

‘People like him really are pathetic. Not touching, just pitiful and kind of disgusting!’

Sebastian noticed Abigail had been staring out the window for a while and asked, “Feeling sorry for him now?”

“Not a chance.” Abigail pulled her gaze back and leaned against the seat.

Looking down at the cake in her hands, she said, “I brought some treats for my coworkers, and they were quick to say thank you and wanted to be friends. But back then, I bent over backward for Stephen and Christian, and they never cared.”

Sebastian didn’t want her stuck in the past, so he gently shifted the subject. “That’s all behind you now. Try the cake, and see if you like it.”

He felt everything Abigail went through was over and done with. The pain, the injustice, and the future she lost could never be brought back. He believed all she needed to do was toughen up, keep moving forward, and leave them all far behind.

While unwrapping the cake, Abigail asked, “Okay, but if Grandpa wasn’t meeting with Ren for business, would you guys still have taken me out to eat?”

She wondered, ‘Does this… count as us getting to know each other?’