Chapter 27

Abigail stared at Stephen and snapped, “Take it there. Can’t you understand that?”

Stephen’s breath grew heavy, his jaw clenched. “Abigail, how dare you talk to me like that? You’re clearly trying to seduce him.”

The moment the words left Stephen’s lips, both Gabriel’s and Bianca’s expressions turned cloudy.

Abigail suddenly let out a bitter laugh, one laced with pure sarcasm. “Of course. A filthy heart sees filth in everything, Stephen. I take back what I said earlier,”

Before his face could soften, Abigail added, “You’re even more disgusting than I thought.”

Stephen’s face turned stormy upon hearing those words.

Gabriel snapped, “Abigail, how can you talk to your brother like that? Apologize to him.”

Bianca chimed in, trying to smooth things over. “Abby, Stevie may have said something harsh, but he’s only looking out for you. It’s best if you keep your distance from Ralph, you know?”

Abigail cast Gabriel a cold glance and asked, “Is it he who sent Grandpa to the nursing home? Answer me.” She didn’t even bother responding to Bianca’s words.

Gabriel’s expression stiffened, a flicker of irritation surfacing. “Abigail, sending your grandfather to the nursing home was a decision we made long ago. It has nothing to do with Stevie.”

“I told you he’d come back. It’s not like you won’t see him again.” Gabriel’s tone turned clearly impatient.

Abigail slowly turned her gaze on everyone present, her eyes scanning each face before putting on a mocking smile. “I should’ve seen it sooner. How could I expect a family that throws their own daughter under the bus to take the fall for someone else to keep their word? I was too naive.”

Gabriel’s rage ignited upon hearing her words. He slammed his palm down on the table and stood up with a jolt. “You ungrateful brat. Say that again if you dare.”

Bianca flinched in fear, but what hit her more was the sting of Abigail’s words.

“No matter how many times I say it, it won’t erase the fact that she killed someone.” Abigail’s gaze turned icy as it swept over to Daniella. Then she turned around and walked away.

“Abby, you haven’t even had breakfast…” Bianca called out instinctively.

But Stephen, brimming with fury, cut her off. “I knew it. She still holds a grudge over that thing. That’s why she’s starting fights this early in the morning. Fine, let her go. Don’t let her have a single bite in this house again. Does she really think we owe her anything? Getting to take the fall for Dani was a blessing for her. An orphan thinks she’s someone special? What a joke!”

At those words, Abigail’s steps faltered for a split second. Then she turned slowly and looked straight at Stephen. “Daniella didn’t ask to steal my life, sure. But did I choose to live in the orphanage when I was young? I may be nothing in your eyes, but I am your blood relative, your sister by birth.”

Her words sucked the air from Stephen’s lungs. Even Gabriel and Bianca felt a weight drop into their chests. After all, Abigail was their biological daughter.

Noticing everyone’s strange expressions, Daniella immediately began sobbing, her eyes red. “Abby just can’t wait to see Grandpa. That’s why she’s talking back like this. It’s all my fault. My presence makes Abby feel insecure. Maybe I should just move out.”

The moment Stephen heard Daniella say she’d move out, his discomfort vanished. He even started to suspect why Abigail was being so disprespectful of their grandfather.

“If anyone’s moving out, it should be her,” Stephen said loudly, intentionally for Abigail to hear. “She keeps harping on blood ties, but you grew up with us–not her!”

He sneered inwardly, ‘Let’s see how long she lasts out there. She’s been in prison for three years. She’s probably way behind society by now. Once people see her criminal record, no one will take her in. She’ll come back to apologize to us soon enough.’

Abigail didn’t even care about Stephen’s words. Without turning back, she walked away.

Bianca watched her leave and recalled what Abigail had just said. Bianca sat down in low spirits, murmuring to Stephen, “Let’s just…”

Bianca and Gabriel didn’t rush to comfort Daniella, and that alone made a flicker of insecurity rise up inside Daniella.

Once Abigail stepped out of the Gibson Villa, she let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. Her entire body relaxed. If it weren’t for meeting her grandfather, she wouldn’t have stayed even a second longer.

Just then, her phone rang. Abigail pulled it from her pocket and found it was a call from Timothy.

She answered the call and immediately heard Timothy’s urgent voice. “Abigail, the headquarters just called. You’re needed on a business trip. You gotta head to the airport immediately.”

Hearing the urgency in his voice, Abigail guessed this was a last-minute arrangement. She asked, “Where are we going? Am I going alone?”

“You’re headed to Chesterwick. You’ll be traveling with Mr. Robinson from the headquarters,” Timothy replied.

Abigail’s mind instantly flashed to a face from prison when she heard that surname. She wondered, ‘Could it be him?’

Her grip on the phone tightened, and her voice softened unintentionally. “Alright. How many days will it take? What do I need to bring?”

It was her first time on a business trip, and she had no idea what to pack.

“Uh…” Timothy was caught off guard. He had tons of business travel experience, but he was a guy, and he wasn’t clear what women would need during a business trip.

He then replied, “I’ll find out for you. Just go to the airport now. If you need anything, you can buy it once you get to Chesterwick.”

He was about to hang up when Abigail’s voice stopped him. “I just started this job. I don’t have extra money to buy things on a whim. Can you tell me now, so I can go back and get what I need?”