“When my mother died, I wasn’t some clueless baby who didn’t know a thing,” Sebastian said calmly. Though he bore the surname Robinson, he had always seen himself as belonging to the Cor family.
Dorian let out a sigh but said nothing more.
“I’ll stay with you for another three days. After that, I have to head back to Cobridge. The Prescott family’s shaking things up in Abby’s case. They’re doing everything they can to block an acquittal. I need to be there,” Sebastian said, capturing Dorian’s final knight and leaning back in his chair. “You’re losing,” he added, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
Dorian picked up a piece, studied it for a long moment, then said, “I’m getting old. Can’t keep up with your mind. Playing with Wyatt used to be more fun anyway. Shame how that ended.”
Sebastian began gathering the chess pieces and asked casually, “Still no trace of Daniella overseas?”
“She’s not just overseas. She’s hidden her identity. You think it’s that easy to track someone like that down?” Dorian replied. “You’d better brace yourself. Chances are, she’s already had plastic surgery, changed her name, and wiped every trace clean. You won’t find a thing.”
Back when she was eighteen, Daniella had killed someone in a hit-and-run, then later set fire to Wyatt, burning him alive. Of course she wouldn’t dare live under her real identity anymore.
“Besides,” Dorian continued, “she never even liked the name Daniella and never felt like she belonged to the Gibson family. There was no real connection, no sense of identity."
“So if she’s tossed the name aside, it wouldn’t mean anything to her.” He helped Sebastian gather the pieces into the box as he spoke.
Sebastian frowned. “Do you think there’s a chance she’ll come back with a new identity?”
“It’s possible,” Dorian said evenly. “If she planned it from the start, then she’s already built a new life somewhere else.”
In other words, she’d been hiding in the shadows all along.
Even if she did reappear someday, with a new face and a different name, they might not even recognize her.
After all, people get cosmetic surgery all the time. It’s not like they could question every single altered face they came across.
“Keep an eye out for me, would you? She’s my girlfriend. You really expect me to just watch her get dragged through hell?” Sebastian stood up, a teasing grin tugging at his lips.
Dorian gave him a sharp look, “I’m only helping because of Wyatt. Don’t go flattering yourself.”
“Well, we all need support from the older generation, don’t we? My mother died young, and my father couldn’t care less. I’ve only got you to count on.” Sebastian grinned shamelessly, showing no intention of being polite with his own grandfather.
Dorian drew a long breath. “I’ve been retired for ages. You really don’t feel bad roping an old man into your mess?”
“Well, you’ve got the best overseas network. Who else am I supposed to go to?” Sebastian said, already making for the door.
Dorian let out a gruff snort but said nothing more.
Two days later, Sebastian returned to Cobridge.
Abigail had just stepped out of the company building when a car pulled up in front of her. James was behind the wheel. “Seb’s back. I’m here to pick you up. He’s home cooking dinner.”
Chapter 267
“When did he get back?” Abigail asked as she opened the door and slid inside.
“Around four thirty. He’s been in the kitchen ever since. Tonight’s a feast!” James said, his tone full of cheerful energy.
Abigail noticed it right away. Sebastian’s return seemed to make his friends happier than even she was.
“Funny,” she said. “When he’s not around, none of you ever come over.”
Sebastian had been gone for over two weeks, and in that time, both James and Warren had barely shown their faces.
Warren, at least, still had some business dealings with her and would appear from time to time, but James, aside from a few calls, had vanished completely.
“Well… you’re our friend’s girlfriend. If there’s ever an emergency, we’re the first to show up.
“But when things are quiet, we’ve got to keep our distance. People are always watching. If rumors start flying, it’s not a big deal for us, but for you girls, it’s different,” James said with a grin.
He had thought about inviting Abigail out but figured it was best to wait until Sebastian was around.
“I get it,” Abigail said, pulling out her phone to text Sebastian.
“You’re not mad, are you?” James glanced at her, a little uncertain.
“No, I know you’re just being cautious. Marcus is already breathing down my neck about Warren. I don’t need more trouble,” she replied gently.
“That’s not even the main reason. The truth is, Seb’s never treated a girl this seriously before. None of us really knew how to handle it. We figured it was better to steer clear while he was away,” James said.
Things had been so quiet lately, he’d even taken up target shooting just to pass the time.
Abigail nodded, genuinely understanding. “First time for everything. No playbook.”
“Exactly! Before, he was never really into those other girls. It was all just for fun. When they wanted to see us, we didn’t think much of it. But with you, it’s different. He's serious this time,” James said, smiling widely.