Elena stepped forward with a smile and slipped off the diamond bracelet on her wrist, fastening it around Abigail’s.
“Consider this a gift from me,” Elena said.
Abigail knew Adam was trying to give her a solid backing. She lowered her eyes, hiding the emotion there, and gave a small smile. “Thank you, Mrs. Fletcher.”
Elena feigned displeasure. “Still calling me Mrs. Fletcher? Are we really that distant?”
Abigail took a deep breath and said, “Elena.”
Elena immediately beamed and looked over at Ralph, saying, “Looks like your grandpa gave you what you always wanted—a little sister to say something to Alby?”
Ralph pressed his tongue against his cheek, forcing down the anger rising in his chest as he let out a cold laugh. “Abby, welcome to our…”
Abigail lowered her eyes and responded softly, “Thanks, Ralphie.”
At the party, Cilian raised his glass. “Thank you all for coming to celebrate my father’s birthday. Here’s to his health and many more years ahead!”
As his voice faded, Adam came down the stairs flanked by Abigail on his left and Ralph on his right.
The guests below caught sight of the trio and began whispering among themselves.
Daniella’s eyes were filled with jealousy, but her face showed nothing but tearful grievance.
Bianca patted the back of Daniella’s hand gently, her voice full of sympathy. “Dani, it’s not a bad thing for Mr. Fletcher to see Abby as a granddaughter. Ralph is now your fiancé.”
Of course Daniella knew that, but that didn’t stop her from resenting the fact that Abigail had Adam’s support.
“Mom, I’m fine. I’m really happy for Abby. It’s just that Abby doesn’t like me,” Daniella said.
Bianca felt uneasy. Her gaze landed on Abigail beside Adam, and the thought that Abigail would rather cozy up to Elena than call her “Mom” stung. Bianca felt that Abigail wasn’t thoughtful at all compared to Daniella.
“So what if she doesn’t like you? As long as Mom, Dad, Chris, and I love you, that’s all that matters,” Stephen said with disdain. The look he gave Abigail felt like it could cut.
Daniella smiled sweetly, “Stevie, Mom, Dad, you’re all so good to me. I really love you guys.”
Her words made Bianca feel even more comforted. Bianca looked at Abigail again and thought, “Whatever. It’s not like Abigail’s my only daughter. Compared to her, Dani is so much more thoughtful.”
As soon as Adam made his way downstairs, someone came over to greet him and casually probe into Abigail’s relationship with the Fletcher family. “Mr. Fletcher, who is this young lady?"
Adam chuckled, “This is Abigail Gibson. She’s like a granddaughter to me. Abby, this is Reuben Gallagher.”
Hearing the surname Gallagher, Abigail recalled that Samuel’s mother’s maiden name was also Gallagher.
“Mr. Gallagher, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said with a smile.
Adam didn’t hold back when introducing Abigail. Everyone present had to show respect to Adam, and just like that, Abigail instantly became the center of attention.
Chapter 312
Since it was a birthday party, of course the guests had prepared gifts. Adam sat in the main seat, with Abigail and Ralph beside him.
The Fletcher family presented their gift–an original oil painting by a renowned 19th century artist.
Elena made a point of saying, “Ralph picked this out just for you.”
“Very nice.” Adam nodded with a smile as others also stepped forward with their birthday offerings.
Once most people had already presented their gifts, Daniella approached with a gift box in her hands. “Mr. Fletcher…”
Elena looked at Daniella with a warm smile. “You’ve really blossomed into a beautiful young lady, Dani. I wonder which lucky guy will end up…”
Compared to Abigail, who was only Gabriel and Bianca’s biological daughter, Elena much preferred Daniella, the girl she’d watched grow up. Daniella was accomplished and favored–definitely worthy of Ralph.
“Mrs. Fletcher, you’re too kind,” Daniella said, her face flushing with shyness as she glanced at Ralph.
Ralph looked back at her and smiled, “Dani, what did you prepare?”
Daniella opened the gift box. Inside was a painting.
Stephen immediately spoke up, “Mr. Fletcher, Dani painted this herself.”
Elena looked even more pleased, clearly delighted that the girl she had her eye on as her daughter–in–law was so talented.
As Daniella listened to the compliments from the Fletcher family, her eyes lit up with satisfaction. “I wonder what Abby has prepared for Mr. Fletcher?”
She sounded casually curious, but everyone’s eyes shifted to Abigail. It was obvious Adam held her in high regard.
“Abby, whatever you give me, I’ll love it,” Adam said as he gently patted her hand, his voice warm and indulgent.
Abigail took out the birthday gift she had brought. It was a wooden box without any fancy wrapping, plain at first glance.
Gabriel and Bianca frowned. They thought, “That thing looks cheap. She’s giving it in front of so many people–clearly trying to embarrass us.”
“Mr. Fletcher, I know you love chess. This is a chess set,” Abigail remarked calmly.
Just as she finished, a mocking voice rang out. “Adam treats you so well and you just give him a chess set??”
The speaker was a female relative from a side branch of the Fletcher family. Abigail didn’t even look at her. In her mind, the gift was for Adam, and no one else’s opinion mattered.
Daniella’s expression flickered. She quickly spoke up, sounding flustered, “No way. I’m sure Abby’s gift isn’t just any chess set. Abby, go on, open the box and show them.”
The woman scoffed, “I bet she doesn’t even dare open it.” Before she could finish, Adam glanced in her direction, and she instantly fell silent.
“Mr. Fletcher, you can open it and see. I’m not sure if you’ll like it,” Abigail said naturally, unfazed by the woman.
Adam looked at her and could tell she wasn’t just putting on a brave face. “I told you, as long as it’s from you, even a pebble would be the most precious thing in my eyes.”
A gentle warmth stirred in Abigail’s chest. She knew Adam said that to stand up for her. She didn’t say anything and quietly opened the box.
Everyone leaned in for a look. Their eyes widened in surprise, and a chorus of gasps followed. “Is that a gemstone chess set?”
Chapter 313