Chapter 55

Her own parents belittled her as if she were dirt, while ruthlessly draining her dry of everything she had.

Abigail wanted to laugh, but sorrow welled up inside her instead. She took a deep breath, gradually regaining composure. “I’ve got work today, so I’m not going. Don’t try to threaten me, or I can’t promise what I’ll do.”

Gabriel was about to snap back, but when he met her gaze, the words died in his throat. As he watched her walk out the door, he couldn’t help but wonder if he’d gone too far. But he quickly convinced himself he was right. He believed marrying Abigail off was for her own good; it would help her get over Ralph. It would also stop the sisters from fighting over Ralph.

Outside the restaurant, the red maples blazed in the autumn air. Abigail walked into the restaurant with Timothy, and they took seats at a table by the window.

Timothy set his laptop aside and deftly pulled a cigarette from his pocket, clamping it between his lips. Then he said, “This time, it’s not just our company in the running. Every big name in the industry is going to compete for the project. The deal is, if we want to partner up, we have to provide the full performance data of the high-end chip we’re developing. But from what I’ve heard, only that genius Iris can push it to the limit. Too bad Iris is as elusive as a phantom. Word is, after designing a few diagrams three years ago, she vanished without a trace. If we could reach her, this project would be ours for sure.”

Abigail’s eyebrows twitched. ‘Wait… Iris? Isn’t that me?’ she thought. She cleared her throat and said calmly, “We don’t need her. I can handle it.”

Timothy instantly sat up straight, his eyes lighting up, and said, “For real? I heard Iris was the original designer of the high-end chip for this project, and she’s the only one who knows the real limits of its performance. You sure you can do it? You know her or something?”

Abigail took a sip of her lemon water. “Yeah. I know her.”

Timothy practically vibrated with excitement. “Contact Iris immediately and get her to send you the exact data.”

Abigail said calmly, “No need to contact her. Like I said, I can handle it.”

Timothy suddenly cooled down. Lighting the cigarette, he took a deep drag and exhaled slowly. “You’re messing with me, huh? I assumed you could actually get in touch with her, or at least get her number.”

Abigail saw he didn’t believe her, but she didn’t argue. She was just about to change the subject when suddenly someone grabbed her by the collar and yanked her up from her seat.

Gabriel bellowed, “So this is your ‘work,’ huh? Meeting up with some old creep for a date?!”

Timothy, baffled by the sudden insult, pointed at his own face. “An old creep? Me?”

“He’s my superior-” Abigail tried to explain.

Gabriel cut her off. “I saw it with my own eyes. And you still dare to lie to me?!”

Timothy sized Gabriel up, then glanced at Abigail, and instantly realized Gabriel had misunderstood.

Abigail kept her eyes fixed on Timothy. Seeing that he didn’t seem angry, she gave him an apologetic look. “Mr. Newman, give me a second to handle this, okay?” she said with a stern expression before taking her father’s arm to lead him away.

But Gabriel wouldn’t have it. He yanked his arm free and jabbed a finger in Timothy’s face, roaring, “My daughter is only twenty-three, and you think it’s fine to date her? Don’t you have a daughter yourself? You’re keeping a young girl like her as a mistress–aren’t you afraid of karma catching up with you?!”

His furious cursing drew stares from the other diners.

Listening to his tirade, Abigail found herself unconsciously studying his profile, momentarily forgetting to defend Timothy.

Timothy understood a father’s protective instincts. He smiled, “This is all a misunderstanding. Even if you don’t believe me, at least consider your daughter’s reputation. Making such accusations in public isn’t doing her any favors.”

Gabriel’s chest heaved with heavy breaths. “Don’t you dare drag my daughter into this! You had the nerve to date her, and now you care about her reputation? You hypocritical old creep, don’t play your tricks on me.”

Then he turned back to Abigail and said sharply, “He sweet-talked you into this, didn’t he? Promised you a promotion? Abigail, you think he’s looking out for you, but he just wants to sleep with you. Once he’s done, he’ll dump you. You won’t get a thing he promised.”

Timothy stubbed his cigarette out in the ashtray, looking helpless but still managing a polite smile. “You’re Abigail’s father, right? I brought her here for business. She’s got the talent-”

Gabriel pulled Abigail behind him and jabbed a finger in Timothy’s face. “She’s my daughter. I know exactly what she’s capable of. Stay away from her, or I’ll make you regret it.”

As Timothy was left speechless, Abigail grabbed her father’s sleeve and said, “Let’s take this outside.”

“Fine!” Gabriel snapped. Then he glared at Timothy and growled, “Listen up–I can damn well afford to support my own daughter. Don’t try to use the promotion as an excuse to get close to her. If you ever ask her out to dinner again, I swear I’ll ruin your life.”

His face flushed crimson with rage. Seeing him like this, Abigail thought to herself, “He really does care about me.”