Chapter 19

Daniella's eyes shifted as she spoke softly, "Abby, Mr. Fletcher sent you a personal invitation. That shows how much he values you. You wouldn't want him thinking you've been doing poorly, would you?"

Stephen immediately frowned. He hadn’t expected Adam, Ralph’s grandfather, to send Abigail her own invitation. ‘Does Mr. Fletcher think we wouldn’t bring Abigail to the party?’ he thought.

Taking the jewelry to look presentable made sense to her.

One Daniella had received. She looked up at Stephen and remarked, "I'll return this to you after the party."

The gown was custom-made by a designer Bianca had hired. Abigail's new measurements [were taken] beforehand since the old ones no longer applied.

Abigail changed into the dress and looked at the girl in the mirror who looked cold and detached. Then she turned and walked out of the room.

At the venue, the engagement between the Gibson and Fletcher families was already an open secret. The moment the Gibsons arrived, they drew attention.

Someone came up to greet them, "Mr. Gibson, Mrs. Gibson, you both look as fine as ever."

"Mr. Byrne, you're too kind," Bianca replied with a polite smile.

Daniella held on to Stephen’s arm while Abigail followed a step behind them.

"I heard Mr. Gibson’s biological daughter is back. Which one is she?" [asked] a young man with a smile that wasn’t easy to read.

Gabriel’s smile faltered slightly. He looked at Abigail with a hint of displeasure and grumbled, "Abby, why [are] you over here."

Samuel Marsh, approached with a glass of wine, his gaze landing on Abigail. "[Why] are you standing all the way back there? Come here."

Abigail glanced at him, then silently stepped forward.

Daniella's eyes flickered as she muttered softly, "Everyone, my sister Abby's a little shy. I'll greet you all on her behalf."

Someone chuckled, "The heiress raised at home really does have better manners."

But Samuel said, "What a shame Daniella isn't Gabriel and Bianca's biological daughter. Blood still matters in the end."

Daniella felt a wave of anger rise inside her, but her expression only showed a trace of hurt as her eyes reddened with grievance.

Stephen shot Samuel a cold look, his tone sharp. "In our family, blood doesn't matter. Dani might not be my biological daughter, but she's the one we cherish most."

Samuel gave a mocking laugh. "That's rich. You ignore your real sister just to favor someone who's not even related. The Gibson family really is generous."

Stephen glared at him, his voice tight with anger. "Samuel, this is none of your business."

Samuel raised his brows with feigned innocence. "I'm just standing up for Abigail, aren't I? Right, Abigail?" His eyes, filled with subtle scrutiny, landed on Abigail.

‘My cousin, who’s never been one to bother with me, suddenly asked me to look after the Gibson family’s long-lost heiress at this party. It’s hard not to read into that,’ Samuel thought.

Abigail’s gaze swept over Samuel without emotion. Before she could say anything, Daniella’s voice broke in, tinged with hurt. "Stevie, I'm fine. I just didn't know when Abby and Mr. Marsh got acquainted."

"I don't know him," Abigail replied calmly. She didn't understand why Samuel was defending her. She'd only ever heard of him.

Samuel was the only male heir of both the Marsh family and the Gallagher family, born to be spoiled and adored.

The two families were on equal footing with the Fletchers in terms of status; their influence and prestige made his background all the more impressive.

Still, Abigail was sure this was her first time meeting Samuel.

"Abby, aren't you being a little too cold to Mr. Marsh?" Daniella’s gaze shifted. She wasn’t happy that Samuel might actually be interested in Abigail.

‘As long as Abigail doesn’t get in the way of me and Ralphie, I can tolerate it. Samuel’s known for being a flirt anyway. There’s no way he’d actually marry someone with a criminal record. At most, he’s just toying with her!’ Daniella thought.

"You must be Ms. Daniella Gibson," Samuel said lazily, giving her a brief glance. "I really despise people who take over what doesn't belong to them and act like it does."

"I just couldn't stand by and watch. This is the first time I've met Abigail, but I already feel like we click."

Daniella’s face turned pale. Her eyes reddened, and she looked utterly aggrieved, like she was trying her best to hold it together. The sight made the Gibson family feel deeply sorry for her.

Bianca pulled Daniella closer and shot Samuel a disapproving look. "Dani [is] me. She's not some outsider taking someone else's place."

As she said this, she suddenly thought of Abigail, a flicker of guilt appearing in her gaze. But [she said] not a word.

Abigail’s expression stayed calm, like she hadn’t heard a word.

‘Daniella and Ralph are about to get married. I can’t let Dani be humiliated like this. I can’t let the Fletcher family think we don’t care about her,’ Bianca pressed her lips together and thought.

‘I just have to let Abby take the fall this time. Abby’s always been so understanding—she’ll get it.’

"This is a family matter, Mr. Marsh," Gabriel said. He couldn’t speak directly for Daniella, but the look he gave Samuel was anything but friendly.

Seeing the way Samuel was looking at Abigail, Gabriel shifted his anger toward her instead and scolded, "What are you standing there for? Come over here. Dani's always been so kind to you, and this is how you treat your own sister?"

‘Kind to me?’ Abigail thought. She looked up, her eyes filled with sarcasm. She wanted to say something, but she couldn’t. She hadn’t seen Wyatt yet.

Thinking of the only person who had truly cared for her in her family, Abigail stayed silent and walked over.

Her quiet, withdrawn demeanor naturally drew some criticism. After all, compared to Daniella, who was clearly cherished and carried herself with ease and grace, Abigail really did seem out of place.