Before Life 303
Posted on July 11, 2025 ยท 0 mins read
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Inside the Development Lab, Leen asked, โ€œThatโ€™s all for now. Got it?โ€

Abigail nodded. Leon had been showing her how to use the computer, and the thought made her expression shift slightly.

She thought, โ€œStill, he means well. Though I already know all of this.โ€

After a bit of teaching, Leon let Abigail practice on her own and turned back to his own work.

Abigail opened a program and caught a glimpse of the code on Leanโ€™s screen from the corner of her eye. She thought, โ€œHeโ€™s working on a firewall?โ€

A young man walked by and gave Leon a knowing smirk. โ€œNot bad, Lean, slick move.โ€ Then he turned to Abigail, โ€œHey, gorgeous. Iโ€™m Patrick Lloyd.โ€

Abigail looked at him and gave a polite nod. โ€œHi, Iโ€™m Abigail Gibson.โ€

She didnโ€™t say much, which caught Patrick off guard. He exchanged a quick glance with Leen, who just smiled and urged, โ€œGet back to work on the firewall. If we donโ€™t get it done soon, Timโ€™s gonna have us pulling another all-nighter.โ€

Patrick groaned, saying โ€œOkay, Iโ€™ll zip it. Iโ€™m going.โ€

As Patrick walked off, Abigail suddenly asked, โ€œWhat level is the firewall youโ€™re building?โ€ She knew a regular firewall wouldnโ€™t be giving them this much trouble.

โ€œTop level,โ€ Leon said with a helpless smile. โ€œMost of itโ€™s done. Thereโ€™s just one program that wonโ€™t run the way itโ€™s supposed to.โ€

โ€œCan I take a look?โ€ Abigail asked.

Leon looked at her in surprise. โ€œYou know how to do it?โ€

Abigail gave him a faint smile. โ€œI wouldnโ€™t be working here if I didnโ€™t.โ€

Leon was clearly surprised. He didnโ€™t really think she could fix it, but he still turned the screen toward her.

At the same time, Jeremiah had reported to the CEO that Abigail had started working.

โ€œAlright,โ€ the CEO replied.

Hearing his bossโ€™s cold tone, Jeremiah thought to himself, โ€œThatโ€™s it? Shouldnโ€™t he at least ask if sheโ€™s doing okay, or if anyoneโ€™s giving her a hard time?โ€

Jeremiah kept his thoughts to himself. After finishing his report and getting ready to leave, he suddenly remembered something. โ€œThe adopted Gibson heiress, Daniella, also joined the company. She came in through Claudia Harperโ€™s side.โ€

From what Jeremiah knew, Daniella was well-liked by the Gibson family โ€“ much more than the real heiress, Abigail.

โ€œThereโ€™s no need to report trivial things like that,โ€ the CEO said.

Jeremiah quickly nodded, a guess forming in his mind about where the two heiresses stood in the CEOโ€™s eyes.

Jeremiah had originally assumed the CEOโ€™s interest in Abigail was for a marriage alliance, but now it didnโ€™t seem that way at all. After all, based on how the Gibson family treated her, Abigail couldnโ€™t hold a candle to that fake heiress, Daniella.

During the lunch break, Leon asked Abigail if she wanted to eat out. Abigail shook her head and replied, โ€œNo need. I'll go to the cafeteria.โ€

Leon looked a little disappointed, but he didnโ€™t push her and left with the others.

Abigail got her food from the cafeteria, but she didnโ€™t eat there. After three years in prison, she couldnโ€™t stand crowded places.

She carried her tray up to the top floor and sat down at a random spot.

At that moment, in the top floor lounge, a man resting on the couch with his eyes closed was disturbed by the sound of someone sitting. He opened his eyes and glanced toward the blinds.

Abigail had a sharp sense that someone was watching her. She instinctively scanned her surroundings, but couldnโ€™t find where the gaze was coming from.

Sheโ€™d always trusted her gut. After finishing her meal, she cleaned up a little and left.

The man let out a soft chuckle. โ€œPretty sharp.โ€

Before the end of the workday, Leon and his teammates sighed in unison, complaining, โ€œLooks like weโ€™re pulling another all-nighter.โ€

Abigail didnโ€™t even look up. Her tone was flat. โ€œYou wonโ€™t need to.โ€

Someone overheard and snapped, โ€œEasy for you to say.โ€

Leon turned to the guy. โ€œWhatโ€™s that supposed to mean? You didnโ€™t stay late when you first joined either. And if the firewall gets done, we all go home on time.โ€

The guy didnโ€™t say anything after that, though his expression made it clear he wasnโ€™t happy.

โ€œDonโ€™t mind them,โ€ Leon told Abigail, โ€œThey just love to talk trash.โ€

โ€œItโ€™s fine. I donโ€™t care,โ€ Abigail said. She checked the time. โ€œItโ€™s clock-out time. I sent you a file. Take a look.โ€

Leon was confused. โ€œWhat file?โ€

Abigail didnโ€™t explain and simply remarked, โ€œItโ€™s useful to you.โ€ Before Leon could ask again, she was already gone. Patrick had overheard the whole thing. He jogged over and tapped Leonโ€™s arm. โ€œThink itโ€™s a love letter or something?โ€

โ€œPiss off,โ€ Leon muttered, not in the mood to joke around. But he was curious about the file, so he opened it anyway.

The moment he read it, his expression changed. He shot up from his chair, the sudden movement making the seat screech against the floor.

Patrick hadnโ€™t looked at the screen. Leonโ€™s reaction startled him. โ€œDude, what the hell? Are you trying to give me a heart attack?โ€ Patrick groaned.

โ€œIโ€™m going to find Tim. Donโ€™t let anyone touch my computer.โ€ With that, Leon strode out of the Development Lab.

Patrick stared at the screen, confused at first โ€“ then his face changed completely.

The fact that the file came from Abigail, combined with what it might mean, made his eyes widen. โ€œNo way. Youโ€™re telling me Abigailโ€™s this good?โ€ Patrick gasped.

But the evidence was right there. It was impossible to deny.

After reading the entire file, Timothyโ€™s expression turned serious. โ€œYouโ€™re sure Abigail sent this to you?โ€

Leon sighed, โ€œTim, Iโ€™ve already told you so many times. It was Abigail.โ€

Timothy couldnโ€™t believe Abigail had that kind of skill.


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