Chapter 24

Daniella's eyes instantly turned red as she lowered her head, looking pitiful and aggrieved.

Stephen immediately stepped up and pulled her to his side, shielding her as he shot Abigail a disapproving glare. "What does this have to do with her? She's a victim too."

"Victim?" Abigail let out a sharp sigh. "A victim who got to enjoy all the wealth and luxury? Then I guess everyone would want to be that kind of victim."

"How dare you say that?" Stephen was furious.

Daniella tugged on his sleeve. "Stevie, I'm fine. In Abby's eyes, I did take her place. But I never wanted this."

Tears welled in Daniella's eyes, making her look heartbreakingly delicate. Abigail stared coldly at her little act and didn't bother to respond. She turned to leave.

"Abigail, you need to apologize to Dani. If you don't, then forget about seeing Grandpa," Stephen's voice was full of warning. Abigail turned around, staring at him in disbelief.

Stephen felt a bit uncomfortable under her gaze. He thought, "I know Grandpa is the person she cares about most. I didn't want to use that, but she just accused Dani of stealing her place in front of everyone.

"What are people supposed to think of Dani? This is all Abigail's fault. I'm only asking her to apologize. As long as she does, I won't stop her from seeing Grandpa!"

Daniella said, "Stevie, don't say that. I'm fine. As long as I get to stay with Mom, Dad, Chris, and you, I don't care how Abby treats me."

Stephen felt even more moved. Whatever guilt he had toward Abigail was gone because of Daniella's words.

He thought, "Dani has suffered so much just to stay with us. And Abigail's still treating her like this? If I don't stand up for Dani, she'll just keep getting bullied by Abigail."

"Abigail, are you going to apologize or not? Do you really want to give up seeing Grandpa?" His last words came out in a low voice. After all, threatening Abigail with Wyatt wasn't exactly something to be proud of.

Abigail looked straight at Stephen, her gaze turning cold as it shifted to Daniella. "Fine," Abigail said.

The corners of Daniella's lips almost curled uncontrollably.

The venue went completely silent in that moment. With her long flowing hair and red lips, Abigail looked distant and serene, like someone untouched by worldly noise, wrapped in a quiet aloofness that set her apart.

Ralph came down the stairs, and his eyes immediately landed on her figure. His heart skipped a beat.

Just as Abigail was about to speak, Ralph's voice broke in, "What are you guys talking about?"

Daniella got up when she saw him. "Ralphie, is Mr. Fletcher resting now?"

Ralph nodded. "Grandpa asked me to come down and keep you company."

Daniella smiled shyly, "Mr. Fletcher is always so thoughtful."

Ralph chuckled, his gaze drifting to Abigail, "And I'm not?"

A blush crept over Daniella's face. "Ralphie..."

"Just messing with you guys. What were you saying earlier?" Ralph asked casually as he looked away.

Daniella gently bit her lip, her voice carrying a hint of sadness. She shook her head. "Nothing, Ralphie. It's nothing."

Stephen couldn't stand seeing Daniella upset. He turned a blaming glare toward Abigail. "It's all because of Abigail. I was just asking her to explain things to Mom and Dad and make peace.

"And then Abigail said Dani took her place in the family. Talk about being ungrateful! If she's bold enough to bully Dani right in front of us, how much worse has Abigail treated her when we weren't around?"

Stephen's anger kept building. "Abigail, aren't you going to apologize to Dani?"

"Stevie, I'm sure Abby didn't mean it," Daniella said with a soft smile, looking delicate and gentle. "I'm fine, really."

Ralph looked at Abigail. Her face was calm and indifferent, showing not the slightest reaction to Stephen's words. Those clear eyes of hers seemed to carry a faint trace of mockery.

Ralph thought, "Whatever misunderstanding she has with the Gibson family, she shouldn't have said that about Daniella."

He lowered his eyes, his voice gentle. "Dani, didn't you say you liked the new Patek Philippe watch? I already bought it as a gift, so don't let this get to you."

Daniella's eyes lit up, and a blush crept across her cheeks at his words. "Ralphie, you're the best!"

Ralph smiled and shifted his tone to something more casual. "Stevie, it's my grandpa's birthday party today. Let's not talk about upsetting things. Come have a drink?" he asked.

Stephen was still a little annoyed that Abigail hadn't apologized, but since Ralph spoke up, he didn't push it, though the look Stephen gave Abigail was still cold.

Before walking off, Ralph glanced at Abigail like it was no big deal. "Abigail, you should come too."

"No, I'm heading back," Abigail said. Without another word, she turned and left.

Ralph watched her walk away, his brows furrowed just a bit.

"Ralphie?" Daniella's voice broke his gaze. Ralph called over his cousin, then turned to Daniella and Stephen, speaking gently, "I'm stepping out for a bit. Dani, Stevie, you two head over there first."

With that, Ralph turned around and left. Daniella wanted to call after him, but Ralph was already walking quickly, disappearing from the party in seconds.

Jealousy and hatred flickered in Daniella's eyes. She was certain Ralph left because of Abigail.

"Abigail," Ralph's voice came from behind Abigail.

She turned, a hint of confusion in her eyes. "Mr. Fletcher, is there something you need?"

Chapter 25