Chapter 17

Abigail gave a slight nod. “Let’s start with self-introductions.”

The shy guy spoke up softly, “I’m Simon Hall.”

The guy who clearly seemed unconvinced completely ignored her. Simon looked a little embarrassed and added, “His name’s Martin Henderson.”

The last one stayed quiet, dressed in a black hoodie with a mask on and his head tilted. His voice was flat. “Elliott Simpson.”

“I’m Abigail Gibson. Now go back to your seats and move them so they’re all together,” Abigail said.

Simon responded in a small voice, “Okay.”

Martin and Elliott were already walking off. Abigail didn’t care much about how they treated her. She turned and went straight back to her desk.

Outside the Halden Group building, Ralph parked his car. Stephen had called him over before leaving for a business trip abroad, asking him to pick up Daniella after work.

Ralph checked the time. It was already the end of the workday. He stepped out of the car, and just as he glanced toward the building’s exit, his eyes locked on someone. “Abigail?”

The sudden voice made Abigail pause. She looked up and was a bit surprised to see Ralph.

She thought, ‘What’s he doing here? He must be here to pick up Daniella.’

“Mr. Fletcher,” Abigail greeted him.

Ralph frowned slightly. He didn’t like the way she addressed him. “You work here too? Didn’t Dani say you didn’t have enough education?”

He thought, ‘Could she be doing janitorial work or something? She’s still the heiress of the Gibson family. How could she lower herself to that?’

“Abigail, you should really consider what I said before. Being my assistant is way better than being a janitor,” Ralph said.

“A janitor?” A flash of mockery crossed Abigail’s eyes. “You think I’m a janitor here?”

Ralph frowned. “Aren’t you?”

Abigail didn’t feel like explaining. Her tone was flat. “If that’s what you think, sure.”

Ralph reached out to block her path. “Abigail, there’s no need to make things hard on yourself. Quit this job and come work at my company tomorrow.”

Right after he finished speaking, his phone rang. Abigail saw the caller ID–Dani. She wasn’t surprised at all.

Ralph turned away to take the call, and by the time he turned back, Abigail was already gone. Something in Ralph’s chest twisted uncomfortably.

At that moment, Abigail was already in a cab. She hadn’t taken Ralph’s offer seriously at all and had no intention of going.

When she got back to the Gibson Villa and stepped into the living room, Bianca was on the couch arranging flowers. She looked up and waved at Abigail with a smile, saying, “Abby, how’s work going?”

Bianca actually didn’t want Abigail to work. She thought Abigail didn’t have the education to land any decent job.

But Abigail never listened to her anyway, and Bianca still carried guilt over Abigail being forced to take the blame and go to prison. So Bianca hadn’t brought it up again.

“It’s fine. Mrs. Gibson, did you need something?” Abigail walked over but didn’t sit down.

Bianca looked a little down but forced a smile. “Stevie left for his business trip abroad today. I was wondering what you’d like for dinner.”

In truth, Bianca had been thinking about what had happened yesterday. She felt guilty and wanted the chef to make something Abigail liked.

That was when Bianca realized that she didn’t even know what Abigail liked to eat.

“No need.” Abigail’s expression shifted slightly. “How’s Grandpa doing?” She thought, ‘Stephen’s gone. Maybe I can go see Grandpa.’

Abigail then said, “I’d like to go visit him.”

Bianca froze for a second and lowered her head, avoiding Abigail’s gaze.

Before Stephen left, he’d told Bianca not to let Abigail see Wyatt. Stephen knew exactly what Bianca’s weakness was. He used the excuse that if Abigail met Wyatt, she’d want to leave the Gibson family.

The truth was, it wasn’t that Stephen cared about Abigail. He just didn’t want her leaving before the engagement between the Gibson family and the Fletchers was officially settled on Daniella.

In plain terms, the Fletchers hadn’t given an answer yet. Keeping Abigail close was just a way to stop her from secretly reaching out to Ralph.

If Abigail knew, she’d just think Stephen was projecting his own malice onto everyone else.

“Abby, your grandfather isn’t in any condition to have visitors right now. I’ll take you to him when he’s better,” Bianca said.

Abigail’s eyes grew colder. “'In any condition' was just their excuse.”

“In that case, Mrs. Gibson, I don’t think we have anything else to say,” Abigail replied, heading to her room.

“Abby,” Bianca called after her, her voice heavy with sorrow, “what will it take for you to forgive me?”

Abigail almost laughed. She thought, 'She wants forgiveness, but I won't do anything worth forgiving.'

“Mrs. Gibson, why bother?” Abigail’s voice was soft and calm. “Isn’t this fine? You guys can love Daniella with all your heart, and I won’t bother hoping for…”

“No, Abby, you’re my biological daughter. I know you hate me, and I know you blame me, but I want to make it right. I’ll do anything if you’ll just forgive me,” Bianca sobbed.

Abigail thought Bianca had only managed to move herself. “So, you think you actually love me?” she asked.

Bianca didn’t hesitate. “Yes. There isn’t a mother in this world who doesn’t love her child.”

Abigail scoffed, “But some mothers only know how to talk about love like it means something.

“Mrs. Gibson, you say you love me, but you forced me to go to prison for your adopted daughter and made me live in the servant’s room. You don’t even know what I like to eat.

“So please, there’s no need to keep up this act, I’m not good at acting. I can’t play along in your little performance, and I don’t want to pretend we’re a loving mother and daughter.”

As soon as Abigail finished speaking, Bianca’s face turned even paler.