Chapter 20

Samuel frowned as he watched the scene unfold, realizing the task his cousin gave him wasn’t going to be easy.

He thought, ‘This Gibson family really is something else. The favoritism is insane.’

Just as he was about to say something, Abigail, who had been keeping her head down, suddenly looked up and met his gaze. Her eyes were calm and cold, but there was a warning in them.

Abigail was there only to see Adam. She didn’t want to stir up trouble.

Samuel was caught off guard by that look. It felt oddly familiar to him. He thought, ‘Damn, isn’t that the same look my cousin always gives me?’

Now he was even more curious about what kind of relationship his cousin actually had with Abigail.

Just then, a bodyguard in a black suit walked over to the Gibson family. “Mr. Adam Fletcher would like to invite you all to the second floor for a chat.”

Gabriel nodded, and the group followed him to the second floor.

Abigail trailed behind, listening as Bianca and Stephen whispered comfort to Daniella. Abigail didn’t care. All she could think about was finally getting to see Adam.

Adam was the only one who treated Abigail well besides Wyatt. It was the two of them who gave her the confidence to stand her ground in the Gibson family. Unfortunately, both of them were in poor health.

“Mr. Fletcher, Ralphie said you were sick a few days ago. Are you feeling better now?” Daniella's voice was sweet and full of concern. She greeted the Fletcher family with poise, her tone sounding a little too familiar.

Abigail acted like she hadn’t heard Daniella. Her gaze had already landed beyond the others, on the man sitting in the chair–Adam. Her eyes were slowly turning red.

“Where’s Abby? Abby, come here,” Adam said the moment he saw Abigail, smiling as he waved her over.

Abigail stepped forward and crouched down in front of him, wrapping her hands around his. Her eyes shimmered with tears. “Mr. Fletcher, I’m here. I’m sorry it took me this long to visit you.”

She truly felt guilty–toward both Wyatt and Adam.

Adam looked at her with warmth in his eyes and spoke gently, “How’s your grandfather doing?”

Abigail shook her head in silence. She hadn’t been allowed to see Wyatt.

“Mr. Fletcher, my grandfather’s been in poor health lately. When I visit, he’s barely conscious most of the time,” Daniella said, her voice filled with concern.

The members of the Fletcher family looked at her with even more approval.

Ralph walked over to Adam and glanced at Abigail, thinking, ‘Why does she look so much thinner?’ It hadn’t been obvious before, but tonight, in her evening gown, Abigail looked even more delicate.

“Grandpa, Mr. Wyatt Gibson isn’t well. He can’t handle emotional stress, so they haven’t told him Abigail is back yet,” Ralph remarked. That answer subtly explained why Abigail hadn’t gone to see Wyatt.

Adam patted Abigail’s hand, as if he knew how much she had suffered. “Abby is Wyatt’s most beloved granddaughter. If he knew she was home, just that alone would make him feel better.”

Gabriel and Bianca stiffened and quickly promised to inform Wyatt.

Abigail’s eyes lit up with surprise, the kind that sparkled unmistakably.

Ralph caught the joy in her expression, and a smile flickered across his face. He thought, ‘I knew she’d be happy to hear that.’

“Grandpa, it’s getting late. We should head downstairs,” Ralph reminded. This was Adam’s birthday party, and naturally, he was the man of the hour.

“Abby, come walk with me,” Adam said.

Ralph handed him his cane, and Abigail immediately stepped forward to support Adam. Adam took her hand and walked out with her by his side.

Ralph’s parents, Cillian and Elena Fletcher, didn’t look pleased. Elena cast a disapproving glance at Abigail.

“Adam, Abigail isn’t part of our family. Isn’t this a bit inappropriate?” Elena stepped forward to object. Adam gave her a calm look, and she instantly fell silent.

“There’s nothing inappropriate about it. Abby’s engaged to Ralphie, isn’t she? Sooner or later, she’ll be one of us,” Adam said.

The moment those words came out, Daniella and the rest of the Gibson family looked absolutely grim.

Daniella’s eyes turned red with grievance. She bit her lip and held back her emotions.

Stephen couldn’t stand seeing his most cherished sister so hurt and was about to speak when Gabriel grabbed his arm and stopped him with a shake of his head.

“Mr. Fletcher, I won’t go downstairs with you,” Abigail spoke softly amid the tense silence.

Adam frowned. “What’s wrong? Did someone say something to you? I only recognize you as my granddaughter-in-law.”

Daniella’s face turned even gloomier. And it wasn’t just her–everyone present except Abigail, Ralph, and Adam looked displeased.

Abigail replied, “Mr. Fletcher, marriage should be based on mutual feelings. Ralph and I don’t have that. If I don’t marry him, will you stop caring about me?”

Her smile was gentle, but the second those words left her mouth, the faint smile on Ralph’s face vanished into a cold expression.

Adam stared at her. Abigail didn’t flinch and met his gaze head-on. Adam could see the determination in her eyes and sighed inwardly.

He’d lived long enough to read people clearly. He could see how the others truly treated Abigail.

Adam thought, ‘They’re going to regret this sooner or later. But it looks like Abigail won’t be my granddaughter-in-law after all.’

“You’ve thought it through?” Adam asked.

Abigail nodded with a smile. “Yes, Mr. Fletcher.”

Adam gave her a small nod. “Even if you’re not going to be my granddaughter-in-law, you’ll always be like a real granddaughter to me. Come on, walk with me.”

Abigail started to speak, but Adam cut in, “Let’s just say Ralph finally gets that little sister he always begged his parents for when he was a kid.”

With that, Adam made it clear—he saw Abigail as his own granddaughter now.

Though Elena wasn’t entirely thrilled, the idea of Abigail marrying her son bothered her more. So regarding Abigail as a goddaughter was something Elena could accept. “That works out just fine. I’ve always wanted a daughter anyway,” Elena smiled.