Chapter 41

In the tense silence, a sudden ringtone broke the quiet. Ralph glanced at the caller ID, rejected it, and then turned back to Sebastian.

“Who exactly are you looking for in my company, Mr. Robinson?” Ralph deliberately emphasized the words "my company," lacing his tone with subtle mockery.

Sebastian’s expression remained unchanged, his voice cool as ever. “Abigail."

Ralph’s face immediately turned dark, and he instinctively blurted out, “Who are you to Abigail? Why are you looking for her?”

Sebastian gave Ralph a peculiar look. “Mr. Fletcher, don’t you know that Abigail is working at my company?”

Ralph recalled it now, but he was still startled that Sebastian would personally come to his company just for Abigail. It made him suspicious about the nature of their relationship.

“Mr. Robinson, you truly surprise me. Coming all this way just for an employee? But perhaps the better question is, why would an employee of yours be at my company?” Ralph sneered, his eyes cold with displeasure.

Hidden behind his mask, Sebastian remained impassive, his expression unreadable, his tone calmly confrontational. “Are you reluctant to admit you forcibly took my employee, Mr. Fletcher?”

Ralph looked up and forced a cold smile. “You’ve misunderstood, Mr. Robinson. The Fletcher and Gibson families have always been close. Abigail and I are very familiar with each other. I simply invited her here to tour my company and show her potential future opportunities.”

“Is that so?” Sebastian retorted, clearly skeptical.

Their gazes collided in the air. Suddenly, Ralph’s heart sank as he thought, “Apart from Abigail, only my assistant and secretary know about this. My people surely wouldn’t contact Sebastian. So Sebastian’s confidence means Abigail told him directly, and she probably shared all the details.”

Breaking eye contact first, Ralph spoke to his assistant, Reeve, visibly annoyed. “Go to my office and bring Abigail here.”

Reeve paused briefly, startled, and then responded, “Yes, Mr. Fletcher, right away!”

After Reeve left, an oppressive silence fell over the room.

“So, what exactly is your relationship with Abigail?” Ralph finally broke the silence, staring intently at Sebastian.

Even Jeremiah glanced curiously toward his boss, equally intrigued. He also wanted to know the answer.

Beneath his mask, Sebastian’s brows raised. Instead of answering, he countered, “Didn’t Abigail tell you herself? I thought you two were very familiar.”

Ralph’s eyes narrowed, his lips pressing into a thin line.

Just then, the door opened again. Reeve stopped in first, followed closely by Abigail. Seeing Sebastian seated across from Ralph, Abigail widened her eyes in surprise. “Mr. Robinson, why are you here?”

Ralph immediately shifted his gaze toward Sebastian, his eyes unreadable.

Seemingly indifferent to the tension, Sebastian replied, “I came to take you back. Are you ready to return to the office?”

“Yes,” Abigail responded without hesitation.

Ralph’s expression dimmed upon feeling her obvious distancing.

“Mr. Robinson, shall we go?” Abigail asked.

Sebastian’s dark eyes brightened subtly, and he carried a faint smile. He nodded toward Ralph, saying, “Mr. Fletcher, Abigail and I will leave now.”

Ralph regarded Sebastian silently for a moment and then turned his gaze toward Abigail. “Consider what I mentioned, I’ll await your reply.”

Sebastian noticed Abigail’s irritated expression and felt unexpectedly relieved. He spoke up, his voice carrying a subtle warning as he stood, “Mr. Fletcher, I’m taking Abigail back now. Let’s not have a repeat of this incident. Breaking the law never ends well.”

His words succeeded in darkening Ralph’s already unhappy expression.

A sudden rush of amusement filled Abigail, and she had to suppress a smile, secretly delighted to see Ralph deflated.

After leaving Fletcher Group and getting into the car, Sebastian glanced at Abigail and asked, “You seem very happy, huh?”

Abigail restrained her emotions, offering him a small smile. “Thank you for coming to get me, Mr. Robinson.”

Sebastian sensed the subtle distance in her politeness, causing an unexpected pang of displeasure. He replied, “It’s nothing. You’re my employee."

Abigail didn’t entirely buy that explanation. Even if she hadn’t taken leave, her situation with Ralph wasn’t technically Halden Group’s responsibility. So, she was confused about why Sebastian came personally to get her.

A sudden thought made Abigail’s heart skip, and she blurted it out, “Mr. Robinson, do you know Clark?”

At the mention of that name, the air in the car fell abruptly silent.

Abigail’s focus remained fixed intently on Sebastian, missing Jeremiah’s astonished expression.

After a brief pause under her expectant gaze, Sebastian finally nodded, “Yes.”

Her breathing quickened, urgency creeping into her voice. “What’s your relationship with him?”

Sebastian looked straight at her, his eyes deep and unreadable. “He’s my older brother.”

Abigail felt surprised yet somehow not entirely shocked. She’d sensed something familiar between them during the business trip. The two of them shared similar habits.

“How is he doing now?” Abigail hesitated to ask.

She felt her throat was a bit dry. She kept in touch with Clark, and she could have contacted Clark directly, yet somehow, asking Sebastian felt different and more real.

“What’s the standard? He’s currently in Chesterwick,” Sebastian replied.

Sensing that Sebastian clearly had no intention of continuing the topic, Abigail was a bit disappointed, yet she still swallowed the question she had prepared.

A heavy silence settled over the car, and no one said anything.

When the car finally stopped, Abigail had regained composure. Opening the door, she stepped out and said, “Mr. Robinson, Jeremiah, I’ll go back to the office.”

Jeremiah smiled, “Go ahead. Have a good day.”

Abigail nodded, glancing instinctively at Sebastian through the car window. His mask concealed any hint of emotion, yet Abigail couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that somehow, beneath the calm exterior, Sebastian was deeply unhappy.