Chapter 221

Abigail had worked late into the night, finally submitting everything Timothy needed. They’d agreed she wouldn’t come to the office this morning.

After getting enough sleep, she finally got up. But the moment she stepped out of her bedroom, Daniella’s shrill crying echoed from downstairs.

“Why?! Mom, you’ve watched me grow up since I was little. How can you bear to see me marry someone like Tristan?!” Daniella’s voice cracked with tears, every word dripping with accusation.

Abigail felt a headache coming on. “Tristan? Mrs. Yanis’ son?”

“What’s wrong with Tristan? The Yanis family is in the jewelry business. Can you even imagine how wealthy they are?

“Besides, apart from not being particularly handsome, how has he ever treated you badly? The moment he met you today, he promised to buy you a standalone mansion. Three million dollars as a wedding gift, not counting all the jewelry–”

“So I’m just something for the Gibson family to trade for money? If I’d known this would be my fate, I should never have taken a single penny from you Gibsons!

“Do you want to drive me to death? Would that make you happy?!” Daniella’s questions tore through the air like accusations.

“Dani, do you really think I don’t have your best interests at heart? I’m doing this because–”

“Save it. You’re just like Gabriel and Stephen! When you sold off Abigail for money, you didn’t protect her either. Who have you ever really cared about? You’ve only ever cared about yourself.

“You talk a good game, but would a real mother treat her children this way? You used to hold grudges against Abigail, and now you’re doing the same to me. You don’t deserve to be called a mother–”

The sharp crack of a slap cut short Daniella’s words.

Abigail stood in the second-floor hallway, watching as Bianca slapped Daniella with such force that she fell to the ground.

Daniella sat on the floor, her voice hoarse from crying. She braced herself against the ground, her body wracked with sobs.

Despite her countless pleas and attempts to submit, no one in the Gibson family had shown her even a shred of mercy. She wondered why she had even bothered trying to appease them in the first place.

“Don’t you dare act like you’re the victim here!” Bianca’s voice cut through the air. “You brought this on yourself. Has the Gibson family wronged you? Even if we’re selling you off for money, it’s what you deserve!

“How dare you feel sorry for yourself? If you had shown me or Stephen even an ounce of genuine care, if you hadn’t committed murder, you wouldn’t be in this situation!”

Bianca’s disappointment in Daniella ran deep. She couldn’t tell her directly that arranging her marriage to Tristan was meant to keep her out of prison.

If Daniella had any sense, she would have figured it out herself. But clearly, she hadn’t.

Daniella couldn’t stop crying. Her hands, resting on the floor, unconsciously clenched into fists.

Bianca knew Daniella would only blame her. She’d never realize that despite this crushing disappointment, Bianca would still find a way to pull her out of this mess.

Bianca drew in a disappointed breath, her voice turning ice-cold. “Fine. Consider it the Gibson family wasting millions raising an ungrateful brat.”

“Right, it’s all our fault. You are completely innocent!” Daniella’s lips twisted into a bitter smile.

She slowly stood up and faced Bianca. “If you’re so capable, send me to prison today. Can’t do it? That means you have no evidence! What gives you the right to control my life? From today on, I’m done playing by your rules. Just try locking me up again!”

Daniella turned to leave.

Bianca froze for a moment, then barked at the servants, “What are you standing around for? Grab her and drag her back to the attic!” Daniella had disappointed her beyond measure.

The servants immediately rushed forward to seize Daniella.

But Daniella grabbed a vase from the nearby display shelf and swung it wildly at them. The servants stumbled backward in fear as she wielded the vase like a weapon, almost possessed in her desperation.

Bianca’s fury reached its peak. “Daniella, have you lost your mind?” she roared.

The vase slipped from Daniella’s grip and flew straight at Bianca.

A sharp scream pierced the air. The vase struck Bianca directly in the eye, and she immediately pressed both hands over it, doubling over in pain.

The servants immediately split into two groups–one rushing to catch Daniella, the other checking on Bianca.

When they dragged Daniella back, her clothes were torn and her hair was a complete mess. She looked utterly disheveled.

Abigail watched the chaos unfold downstairs, unsure how to feel about the whole spectacle.

She waited until Daniella had been hauled back to the attic before heading downstairs herself.

Bianca was tending to her injured eye. She jumped when she saw Abigail coming down the stairs. “You didn’t go to work today?” she asked awkwardly. “Did we wake you?”

Abigail gave her a cold glance and walked straight toward the entrance.