Chapter 61

After getting on the bus, Abigail called Timothy. As soon as he answered, she asked point-blank, “You weren’t the one who took me out yesterday?”

Timothy replied casually, “Nope. When I got there, the staff said you’d passed out. I just happened to be around and got you out. So, what’d Celestial Group say?”

Holding the bus railing, Abigail watched the scenery zip past the window. “They said they’ll only agree if we get the Robinson family’s younger heir to invest.”

Timothy clicked his tongue. “Celestial Group sure has a lot of nerve. For a deal like this, they’re dragging him into it? That’s just asking for embarrassment.”

“It’s not just Celestial Group trying to get him on board. I actually need to meet him myself. You got his contact info?” Abigail wanted to know if he was the one who’d helped her.

Timothy cleared his throat awkwardly. “Look, don’t bother. Halden Group is plenty for this partnership. If you go talk to him about this, you’ll just get mocked. You’re young. Can you handle that?”

“No problem,” she said without hesitation.

Timothy paused, then sighed, “He’s at Midas Lounge. Oh, if you can’t get in, call Jeremiah. He’s there too. Gotta go, swamped here.” He hung up.

The next stop arrived just then. Abigail got off with the crowd and hailed a taxi to Midas Lounge.

She’d heard of Midas Lounge, where kids from wealthy families hung out. With its high membership barrier, it was known as Cobridge’s “money pit.”

Nervous about getting in, she arrived at the entrance. Sure enough, without a membership card, she was stopped in the lobby’s seating area.

As she started to call Jeremiah, Gabriel’s voice came from behind her. “This is my daughter. I told her to wait here for me.”

The manager smiled as soon as he saw Gabriel’s card. “I’ll take you to see Mr. Robinson right away.”

Gabriel glanced at her, and Abigail quickly followed. They went with the manager to the “Lively Tones” private room. Abigail knocked, and a staff member opened the door immediately.

Inside, dim yellow light fell over the room’s assorted men and women.

Abigail spotted the man seated at the back. His familiar silhouette made her heart skip a beat. Glasses clinked as people toasted around him.

Stepping into the private room, Abigail focused on his face and froze–it was Sebastian.

Just as he turned, their eyes met. His expression was cool, yet he gave a faint smile, the dim lighting adding a touch of casual charm to his features.

Her heart pounding with anticipation, Abigail walked toward him step by step.

“Ms. Gibson, is your meeting with Mr. Robinson urgent?” Jeremiah approached smilingly, his tone carrying a subtle warning. "Sebastian’s in the middle of enjoying himself–only interrupt if it’s essential."

“The project might not be a priority for him, but I’m on a tight deadline,” she replied, though her gaze stayed fixed on Sebastian as he casually rolled dice among the group.

Soon, she noticed a woman beside him eyeing her with obvious hostility.

Leaning close to Sebastian’s ear, the woman said loudly, “That girl’s staring at you like she’s hypnotized. You gonna say something?”

At her words, Sebastian turned to Abigail, a faint smirk softening his otherwise indifferent gaze. He set down the dice and beckoned her over, the motion so natural that it seemed he’d done it a hundred times.

Abigail wondered if this was really the same Sebastian who’d helped her. Still, she moved closer and said, “Mr. Robinson, I’m here to talk about a partnership.”

In response, he held out a hotel keycard. “Whatever you need to discuss, wait for me in this room.” Then he lit a cigarette, and the woman beside him automatically held out a lighter.

Abigail took the keycard. After lighting his cigarette, he glanced at her again. “Something else?”

“The matter’s urgent. If you can come soon, we can work it out,” Abigail said evenly. The hope and nerves in her chest had calmed. He didn’t feel like the one who’d helped her.

His words drew a laugh from the woman beside him, while Sebastian arched a brow, his eyes lazily hooded.

He clamped the cigarette between his teeth, shuffling cards rapidly as he dropped his voice. “How to ‘work it out‘? Talk us up. If you make us happy…” He paused, lifting his eyes to flash her a lazy smirk. “I’ll green-light whatever you want today.”

Whistles and catcalls broke out.

“What if she’s got an agenda?” The woman beside Sebastian stared at Abigail, hostility plain in her eyes.

“We’ve actually met before, Mr. Robinson. You were kind enough to help me last time,” Abigail explained, keeping her gaze down, voice steady. In the glow of the lights, her unmade-up face looked almost innocent.

“Damn, Mr. Robinson, for real? You’re hitting on college girls now? I thought you hated the goody-good type,” a rich young man called out, still shuffling cards.

“Shove off. I don’t know this chick. Don’t drag me into your bullshit,” Sebastian scoffed, cigarette bobbing as he spoke.