Chapter 43
Abigail asked, โHuh? By who?โ
The waiter smiled, โA gentleman in a mask.โ
Abigail frowned, wondering, "Isnโt this my treat?"
Still puzzled, she sent a message to Sebastian. Just as it was delivered, the waiter came downstairs carrying the packed food.
Abigail took it, glanced at her phone, and saw there was no reply yet. She thought, โHe probably hasnโt seen it yet.โ
Instead of going home, Abigail hailed a cab to the park near the office. The sky wasnโt completely dark, and the park was quiet. She walked to the usual spot where the cats gathered and softly called out.
The short-haired cat with the collar was the first to appear, leaping gracefully onto the stone table. Its amber eyes locked onto her steadily.
Abigail raised the takeout bag in her hand and said, โKitten, is it just you today? Where are the others? I brought a lot of good food for all of you.โ
Being a coastal city, Cobridge offered fresh seafood with a bright, clean flavor, which was perfect for cats.
The short-haired cat didnโt respond, its demeanor still proud and aloof, as always.
Abigail didnโt ask any more questions. She squatted down and began placing the seafood on the table.
โMeowโฆโ
The sudden meow made Abigail turn instinctively. The short-haired cat jumped down and stood a few paces from her. Close up, she could clearly see something almost human-like in its amber gaze โ curiosity.
"You recognize me, sweetie?โ asked Abigail.
The cat replied with a meow.
Abigailโs question slipped out without thinking. She couldnโt shake the feeling that this cat remembered her. She thought, "It probably just remembers my scent from last time. Nothing strange about that!"
Abigail said, โCome and eat. And once youโre done, donโt forget to call the others over."
It was getting late. With that, Abigail turned and left the park.
By the time Abigail returned to Gibson Villa, it was already dark.
She had just stepped into the living room when a sharp voice rang out. โStop right there. Why are you back so late?โ It was Gabrielโs voice.
Abigail glanced over at him, her voice flat. โYou want to talk, or what?โ Her tone made it obvious that she had no intention of explaining herself.
Gabrielโs face turned red with fury. โIs that how you talk to me? Where is your respect?โ
Abigail let out a cold laugh. โNo one taught me how to respect others. Sorry, I canโt.โ
โYouโ" Gabriel was seething, his chest heaving, eyes nearly murderous.
Bianca tried to mediate. โAbby, how can you speak to your father like that? Apologize to him.โ
Abigail had no patience left. Without a word, she headed upstairs.
โWhy did you steal Daniโs things?โ Gabriel snapped through clenched teeth.
Abigail stopped, turned slightly, and looked back at them with a sneer. โWho told you I stole Daniellaโs things?โ
She caught a flicker of discomfort in Biancaโs expression, and she had her answer.
โYou still think youโre in the right after stealing from Dani?โ Gabriel only grew more furious.
Bianca tugged at his sleeve. โEnough, it wasnโt entirely Abbyโs fault.โ
Abigail snorted, โYou really know how to twist the story, huh? Why not mention that Daniella stole my necklace and shamelessly claimed it was hers? Is that how you taught her?โ
Biancaโs face flushed with a mix of shame and anger, โAbby, Dani is your sister. Sheโs not a thief. The maid accidentally found the necklace while cleaning, and Dani bought it from her. Even if it was yours, couldnโt you just let her have it?โ
Abigail listened to Biancaโs words, unaffected. She had heard all of this plenty of times. If Daniella wanted somethingโeven things she didnโt want anymoreโBianca always asked Abigail to give them up. Three years ago, Abigail wouldโve left hurt. Now, she felt nothing.
โI donโt have a sister,โ Abigail said calmly, her tone nearly icy. โAnything else?โ
Bianca stared at her in a daze, a strange emptiness forming in her chest, like something important had quietly disappeared.
Seeing Abigailโs emotionless face, Gabriel opened his mouth to yell again. But he suddenly remembered what heโd meant to ask. He grunted, โWhatโs your relationship with the Robinson family?โ
Abigail snorted inwardly, โOf course, he hasnโt let that go." She gave him one look, turned around, and headed upstairs.
โAbigail, get back,โ Gabriel shouted after her, his rage boiling.
Her only response was the sound of a door slamming shut.
Gabriel stepped forward in fury, ready to storm up the stairs, but Bianca grabbed his arm and said, โShe doesnโt want to talk, let it go.โ
โIโm asking because I care about her, is that wrong?โ Gabriel snapped.
Bianca didnโt answer right away. Thinking of something, she loosened her grip and mumbled, โShe wonโt tell you anything. Honey, do you think Abigail has already cut ties with us in her heart?โ
Gabriel frowned. He didnโt understand why she was suddenly asking that.
To him, it didnโt matter if Abigail cut ties with them or not. As long as she was still useful to him, that was enough.
He answered, โAnyway, sheโs still our daughter. She canโt deny that. Stop overthinking it. By the way, where are Dani and Stevie?โ