Chapter 260

Marcus had played his cards well, using postpartum depression and a mother’s role in the household to stir the crowd’s sympathy.

Abigail got into Warren’s car. The moment she sat down, he said, “I watched the whole trial. My guess is the Prescott family’s next move will be to steer public opinion. That’s how they operate.”

“They’re going to start twisting the narrative and blaming the victim now?” she asked.

“Pretty much, but we’re not sure which angle they’ll take yet,” Warren reassured her. “But don’t worry. With Sebin Chesterwick, everything will be fine.”

“Looks like our relationship is about to enter the epic phase,” Abigail suddenly quipped.

Warren paused briefly, then burst out laughing. “You’re quite the optimist.”

“I’ve never had a love this intense before,” Abigail teased.

Warren burst out laughing.

“Who knew you had such a witty side?”

“I used to be quite the cheerful little girl myself,” Abigail replied, a faint smile playing at her lips.

Warren’s smile froze instantly at her words. As the engine roared to life, Warren turned to Abigail and asked gently, “Life in the orphanage was hard, but were you happy?”

Abigail gazed out the window, her voice tinged with nostalgia. “Of course, I was happy. I was Ms. Sanders’ precious little girl. She treated me better than anyone else.

“Back then, I didn’t even know what hardship was. Like, if you’ve never experienced the life of the rich, how would you know what you’re missing? I was just a silly kid going through the days.”

Warren had to admit that she had a point. One would never know what they were missing if they’d never had the best things in life.

Sure enough, just as Warren predicted, the Prescott family wasted no time spinning the narrative online after the first trial, using depression and the pressures mothers face at home as their defense.

The sympathy for Abigail vanished overnight, replaced by a flood of condemnation.

“They’re playing the media, just like we thought,” Warren muttered sarcastically as he scrolled through his phone at the air gun club.

James held the air gun in one hand, looking completely relaxed. He fired a shot that missed the bullseye and sighed, “Should we just let Seb handle this himself? He got himself into this mess, and he deserves all the anger from Abigail.”

Warren tossed his phone onto the table, frustration creeping into his voice. “The online chatter’s turning nasty. They’re saying Abigail didn’t grow up in the Gibson household, so of course her mother favored the kids she actually raised.

“Now they’re spinning it like she’s out to wipe the whole family just to seize Gibson Group for herself.”

James set down the air gun and turned to him. “Seb’s father is definitely pulling the strings behind this. Even if we want to help her now, we should wait for Seb to get back. We wouldn’t want to mess up his plans.”

Warren leaned back in his chair and scoffed, “These netizens are so gullible. Just get some paid trolls to push their narrative, and they’ll believe anything.”

“Let me call Abby to check if she’s been affected by all this,” James said as he pulled out his phone from his pocket.

After the call connected, he asked gently, “Abby, wanna grab dinner together tonight?”

“Well, where should we eat?” Abigail was never one to turn down good food.

“The best place to eat, of course. By the way… you haven’t been online, have you?” James asked cautiously.

“Who isn’t online these days? Are you worried I’ll get upset because of the public comments?” Abigail said, her tone casual.

James couldn’t quite make out what she was feeling, so he quickly offered words of comfort, “Don’t worry about it. The online buzz will die down soon. Seb’s dealing with this in Chesterwick.”

“I’m not worried,” Abigail said softly. “It’s just… I don’t like the thought of him staying in Chesterwick for too long.”

She thought to herself, “With arranged marriages, it’s always the parents who call the shots. If speaking up could change anything, he wouldn’t have had to deliberately date all those women and ruin his own reputation just to rebel against them.”

“Missing him? Why not just call him?” James teased.

Abigail replied calmly, “Not really, I just think he’s wasting his time over there. He might as well be here hanging out with you guys.”

James knew perfectly well that she just wanted Sebastian by her side. So, he said indulgently, “Alright, I’ll give him a call.”

“Don’t,” Abigail said casually, not really meaning it.

James smiled and said, “Alright then, whatever you say.”

After ending the call, he heard Warren snicker from nearby. “Abby’s just a bit shy. No wonder Seb hasn’t even kissed her yet.”

“Forget about kissing. Even holding hands, they act all bashful like they’re stuck in an ancient romance,” James said with a grin as he set his phone aside and picked up the air gun to resume shooting.