Chapter 195

“Daniella ending up like this is all her own doing. Maybe others wronged her, but our family sure as hell didn’t. She's cost us over 300 million dollars—20 years of pampering and top-tier training. Go ask around; when does any family treat an adopted kid this generously?” Gabriel roared.

He had once truly placed his hopes in her, but Daniella had just let him down too badly.

“You’re no better. I put you in charge of that subsidiary, and it’s been bleeding money for a year without so much as a report."

“Now you’re siding with a crook? One more word and I’ll slap your mouth raw. No skills, just blind loyalty to a criminal—can’t you tell right from wrong?” Gabriel’s chest heaved with fury.

Stephen chimed in, “So, this is the type you always take sides with?”

Christian didn’t speak, just kept his eyes down.

As Gabriel left for the hospital with the doctor, Abigail headed to the office.

All day long, she couldn’t shake thoughts of the DNA results.

She told herself she didn’t care, but the question lingered.

‘Maybe everyone secretly wonders about their birth parents,’ she thought.

Just before time to get off work, her phone rang. It was Wyatt calling.

Figuring it was the result, she ducked into the restroom to answer.

“What’s the verdict?” she asked in a low voice.

“The orphanage DNA report was legit. The ones your parents did later must’ve been tampered with. Abby, you’ve been through so much.” Wyatt’s voice trembled with a mix of excitement and relief.

Abigail didn’t feel happy, but a weight lifted from her chest. “Grandpa, I’m eating out tonight. It’s a colleague’s birthday. Celebrating with them.”

“Okay. Call when you’re done, and Stevie will come get you. Don’t refuse. You don’t drive, and it’s not safe taking a taxi alone.” His tone was gentle.

Abigail gave a soft “mm” and hung up.

After hanging up, Abigail let out a long breath.

The results only eased her mind a bit; they didn’t bring any happiness.

She kept thinking, ‘If the results hadn’t been swapped all those years ago, would they have treated me well?’

The answer was probably no.

At most, they would’ve just not disliked her, but their attention would still be on Daniella. After all, they had spent a fortune raising her.

As an orphan, Abigail’s upbringing didn’t meet the aristocratic standards of high society.

When work ended, she told James she was going to a friend’s birthday party and wouldn’t go to Sebastian’s villa that night.

She thought Sebastian might need some peace these days. Even though he hadn’t said anything, the death of his cat, Orange, who’d been with him for years, must have made him sadder than anyone.

Not long after, James called, his voice full of drama. “You’re celebrating a birthday with friends instead of staying with Seb, who’s basically drowning in sadness right now?”

“As his friend, you don’t really get him, do you? Right now, he probably just wants to be left alone,” Abigail said resignedly.

James clicked his tongue. “You talk like you know him so well. Where’s the birthday party? I’ll bring him along. Yeah, he usually likes being alone, but this isn’t the time. Orange’s death might make his separation anxiety worse.”

Abigail bit her lip. After a moment, she said, “Okay, I’ll go to the party for a little while, then head to the villa.”

“Aw, you won’t let me meet your friends?” James sounded a little sad.

“It’s not like that. You don’t know them. They’d feel uncomfortable. Birthdays are supposed to be happy. Having strangers around would make everyone stiff, wouldn’t it?” Abigail asked calmly.

James hadn’t thought of that.

“Good point. Call me when you’re coming over.” James' voice turned cheerful.

Abigail agreed and hung up.

After work, she didn’t go home, not knowing that the Gibson family had started a second round of criticizing Daniella.

Now it was over.

When Daniella got back to the attic, she was completely drained.

Lying on the bed, she looked at the low attic ceiling and unconsciously clenched her lips.

To the Gibson family, she had no value anymore. Instead, they wanted to squeeze every bit of value out of her. If she didn’t plan for herself, she would end up in a miserable situation.

And they were going to send her to prison.