Chapter 54

When that name slipped from Ralph’s lips, Abigail froze for a moment. After all, he had never called her that before.

If she had heard him call her like that in the past, she would have been so thrilled that she couldn’t sleep for nights. But now, she felt nothing at all.

“Mr. Fletcher, you’re engaged to Daniella. Please mind how you address me,” Abigail said, her tone distant and her expression cold, as if Ralph were just some stranger.

Ralph should have been pleased that Abigail, who used to cling to him, now kept her distance. But somehow, he felt a wave of irritation and an unfamiliar bitterness stirring inside.

“Mr. Fletcher, she’s made herself clear. Please step aside,” Jeremiah interjected.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Ralph retorted sharply, “She can speak for herself. Stay out of it.” He was already in a foul mood, and Jeremiah was just adding fuel to the fire.

Abigail turned to Jeremiah and said, “Mr. Walsh, you and Mr. Robinson go ahead.”

From the way Ralph was acting, she was sure he wasn’t going to let her leave, and she didn’t want Sebastian to waste his time on her personal matters.

‘Of course,’ she thought. ‘His fiancée needs blood, and I’m the perfect donor—how could he possibly let me walk away?’

Sebastian didn’t say a word and simply turned to leave. Jeremiah seemed to have more to say, but with his boss already leaving, he could only follow.

Once they were gone, Abigail turned to Ralph and said flatly, “If you’re thinking of forcing me to go back and donate blood to Daniella, you can just drop that idea. I’m not going back.”

Ralph’s breath hitched, his voice laced with disbelief. “Is that really what you think of me?”

“What else am I supposed to think?” Abigail shot back coldly. “You took their side when Stephen was pressuring me just now.”

To her, Ralph and Stephen were birds of a feather—childhood friends who wouldn’t be so close if they hadn’t shared the same heartless nature.

“I never meant to force you,” Ralph said.

“But you knew exactly what Stephen was doing—violating my basic rights—yet you did nothing to stop him. Let’s be honest, you’re just like him—you treat me like I’m nothing,” Abigail replied.

Ralph was rendered speechless.

“If you still have any conscience left,” Abigail continued icily, “stay away from me, so I don’t have to waste my breath explaining things to the Gibson family.” With that, she stepped around him and walked away.

Ralph stood rooted to the spot, unconsciously blurting out, “You hate me?”

Abigail’s voice was icy and emotionless. “You only elicit emotions from those who actually care. To me, you’re just a stranger.”

Under the hazy night sky, Ralph’s eyes momentarily went blank.

Abigail left the hospital and got into the car. Then she received a message from Jeremiah. [Forgot to mention earlier—you and Timothy will negotiate a project tomorrow. If you close the deal, there’s a bonus.]

[Got it,] she replied.

The next morning, Abigail was up at six thirty as usual and headed downstairs in the outfit she’d picked out the night before.

Normally, at this hour, everyone in Gibson Villa was still asleep. But today, Gabriel was already in the living room, watching the morning news, which was covering a recent high-tech exchange conference.

When he saw Abigail come down, he paused the broadcast, sized her up, and said, “You’re just a maid, yet you’re wearing a suit to work. Is that some new rule at Halden Group?”

Abigail knew Ralph was the one who first told others she was a maid, so when she heard her father’s words, she instantly realized he must have gotten the information from Ralph. She ignored her father and walked straight to the front door.

“Stop right there,” Gabriel bellowed, swiftly standing up and striding behind her. “What’s with that attitude?! I’m your father. You can’t keep giving me that cold look, like I owe you something.”

Abigail said impatiently, “Get to the point if you have something to say.” She was sick of how he and Stephen spoke to her—they were always aggressive and self-important.

Infuriated by her indifference, Gabriel almost forgot his purpose. Clearing his throat, he snapped, “Quit that pathetic job of yours. You’re coming with me today to meet someone.”

“Who is it?” Abigail turned around and looked at him coldly.

“Your mother and I set you up with someone. Change out of those clothes—I’ll have your mother pick out a proper outfit for you later.

“Put more effort into your looks, letting your hair grow long. That’s how you’ll attract men. Take a page from Dani’s book,” Gabriel said, like it was already settled, not even bothering to ask Abigail’s opinion.

Abigail scoffed, “I don’t have time for this, and marriage is the last thing on my mind right now.”

Seeing her about to leave, Gabriel snapped, “Abigail Gibson! You refused to donate blood last night, and now you’re refusing to go on a blind date. Do you even want to see your grandfather again?”

Abigail clenched her jaw. She paused at the doorway, her gaze growing even colder as she stared at him.

“Don’t think you can threaten me forever,” she declared. “I could go to the police right now and tell them how you manipulated the justice system by making me take the fall for Daniella.”

“How dare you?” Gabriel barked.

Abigail stared him down, unflinching.

Gabriel continued, “You have a criminal record, and you’re not well-educated or well-mannered. If you don’t marry now while you’re still young, you’ll never find a decent man.

“The man I’m introducing you to is handsome, and his family owns an internet company. Go meet him. If he likes you, our families can finalize the marriage.”

Hearing his words, Abigail couldn’t help but let out a derisive laugh.

‘An internet company—just like the Gibson family’s business,’ she thought. ‘He isn’t worried about whether I could get married; he just wants to milk me for a…'