Chapter 60
Perhaps Abigail’s stare was too piercing. The ease Gabriel had when he entered slowly drained away, replaced by a guilty look.
“Answer me,” he snapped, though less aggressively.
Abigail ignored him, her gaze shifting back to Quentin. “Mr. Coley, Halden Group is approaching this partnership with sincerity. You can take a look at our proposal before making a decision.”
Knowing Abigail was angry, Gabriel gave an awkward grin when she brushed him off. Still, he sat down beside her and spoke to Quentin, “You know, she looks pretty professional when she’s all serious like this.”
“Mr. Gibson, I get that you’re going out of your way for your daughter with the bad reputation,” Quentin said dryly. “Too bad she’s…” He didn’t need to finish the sentence.
Gabriel leant closer to Abigail as his voice turned falsely warm. “Abby, even Mr. Coley here gets why I’m doing this. Why can’t you? Would I ever hurt my own daughter?” He added casually, “Oh, your grandpa called me earlier. Guess what he said?”
Abigail turned to look at him with wary eyes. “What are you plotting now?”
“Don’t be like that. He said he’s been wanting your lasagna. I figured you miss him too, so you could make some and bring it over. We can set it up right away if you want.” Gabriel had a hopeful look on his face.
Abigail’s lasagna wasn’t anything fancy by the Gibson family’s standards, but Wyatt always acted like it was the best food in the world when he ate it. Being around Wyatt was the only time she felt at ease and sure of herself.
She didn’t say a word, but her expression softened a little. Worried about Wyatt’s situation, she didn’t stop to wonder if Gabriel was lying.
Gabriel glanced at Quentin.
Quentin picked up the proposal from the table, stood up, and adjusted his suit. Looking down at Abigail, he said, “I’ll take a good look at Halden Group’s proposal and let you know my decision later.”
“You might as well look now.” Abigail was hoping to seal the deal today and had no desire to interact more with Quentin.
Quentin said, “The fact is, Ms. Gibson, Halden Group isn’t exactly Celestial Group’s top pick for a partner. If you’re really capable, get that Robinson family spoiled brat to get personally involved in our collaboration. Otherwise, no deal.”
Quentin would love to see Abigail go to Sebastian and get mortified beyond words.
After he left, Gabriel followed Abigail out of the café. “Abby, I’ve got another condition. Since you know Mr. Robinson, hook me up with him. If our family partners with him, you’ll be a hero. Your mom and Stevie will finally think you’ve made it,”
“Gabriel Gibson, are you insane?” The Gibson family’s misplaced confidence was ridiculous to Abigail.
Stung by her words, Gabriel frowned and snapped, “Show some respect! I’m already bending over backward to give you a chance to see your grandpa. If you blow it, that’s on you.”
Abigail stopped in her tracks and turned to face him, her eyes mocking. “What about the partnership with Quentin? You’re just dropping it?”
“If you introduce me to Mr. Robinson and get him to bring me into the project, it’s the same thing. You keep claiming you get this stuff, but you don’t.” Gabriel shook his head, treating Abigail like she was clueless.
Abigail didn’t bother arguing. She just turned and walked silently toward the street.
“Where are you going? Hop in my car,” Gabriel called after her.
Abigail shot him a sideways glance, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “If I don’t bust my ass to contact Mr. Robinson, how will you guys ever think I’m worth anything?”
Upon hearing this, Gabriel immediately broke into a smile. “Abby, why can’t you always be this cooperative? Then I wouldn’t have to fret over you so much. Mr. Coley’s a bit hotheaded, but he’s not a bad guy. Look, he’s good at his job…”
Abigail cut him off irritably. “If you’re so high on him, set Daniella up with him. Hasn’t Ralph been dragging his feet on marrying her?”
“Don’t talk rubbish. How could Daniella marry Quentin? The man has a kid. She’s an unmarried woman. Even if Ralph won’t commit, Quentin’s still not in her league!”
When Abigail watched Gabriel angrily stick up for Daniella, her scorn only deepened. He wasn’t clueless about Quentin’s flaws. All along, she was just the one unworthy of better. She turned to walk away.
Only after speaking did Gabriel realize his impulsive words had been unfair to Abigail.
Panicked she might refuse to help, he rushed to catch up. “Abby, if you’d had a better start in life and didn’t have that criminal record, I’d definitely fix you up with someone better. But your situation’s a mess. Who else would take you besides him?”
“Do I look like I’m buying your excuses? Stop sugarcoating it. It’s nauseating,” Abigail snapped coldly, already marching toward the bus at the stop.
Every complaint he had about her was something she couldn’t change. The criminal record had been planted on her by the Gibson family, and her orphaned status was their failure to protect her.
‘What’s my fault in any of this? Why should I shoulder all the blame?’ she thought.