Chapter 62

After Abigail endured Sebastian’s friends teasing her, she grabbed the room keycard and left the bustling private suite. Clearly, every word he’d spoken tonight had been nothing but sarcastic jokes.

Gabriel stormed out after her, fuming. “You can’t manage this, and you pissed off Quentin. You’re completely useless! Go apologize to Quentin later, smooth things over, and make sure I land that partnership.”

“Aren’t you trying to meet Mr. Robinson? Wait for him in his room,” Abigail snapped, shoving the keycard into Gabriel’s hand before walking off.

Gabriel stared at the keycard, torn over whether to follow her plan. When he looked up, Abigail was already gone, so he hurried to catch up. He didn’t have the nerve to do as she said.

“He gave you his room key. That’s a pretty clear signal. You really want to pass this up?” he probed, trailing her into the elevator.

Abigail shot him a withering look but stayed silent, leaning against the elevator wall as she typed a message to Jeremiah: [Had to leave unexpectedly. Could you inform Mr. Robinson for me?]

Though she’d come under the guise of work, the real reason was to see Sebastian. But he couldn’t even remember her. How could he be the one who had helped her?

Jeremiah didn’t reply.

The next morning, Timothy marched into the office and demanded, “How’d it go with Mr. Robinson last night?”

“No luck. He was busy playing cards and didn’t have time for me,” Abigail admitted.

Timothy shrugged. “I figured. Letting you into his suite for a chat was probably just him being generous. I’ll take over the Celestial Group talks. Their director’s clearly messing with you because you’re young.”

Abigail handed back the files he’d given her.

Around lunchtime, Timothy poked his head out of his office and rapped on Abigail’s desk. “Celestial Group’s director wants to meet with you alone. What’s that about?”

Abigail replied, “Probably nothing. I’ll go see what he wants and try negotiating again.”

After all, she’d punched Quentin, complicating the deal. No matter how outrageous his demands, she had to calm him down. Closing the deal for Halden Group would take patience.

“Fine, you can gain some experience,” Timothy said.

Abigail took a car to the restaurant where Quentin had arranged the meeting. As soon as she entered, she saw him sitting by the window, dressed to the teeth, holding up his wine glass and making a toast gesture toward her.

She walked over and sat down, calmly fixing her gaze on Quentin. “Mr. Robinson isn’t keen on partnering with Celestial Group.”

Quentin sneered, “If he were, would I need you to step in?”

“Mr. Coley, have you looked at Halden Group’s proposal? The terms we’re offering are very fair…”

Abigail didn’t get to finish. Quentin cut her off. “I don’t feel like talking business today, Ms. Gibson. You punched me, yet here I am inviting you to dinner. Consider this a peace offering.” As he spoke, he intentionally pressed his fingers against hers.

Abigail was disgusted by the suggestive look in his eyes and was about to pull her hand back when Stephen’s voice boomed from behind her. “What the hell are you doing?!”

Startled, Abigail turned her head and saw him with Ralph.

Stephen marched over and roughly pulled her up from the chair. “What are you doing here?!”

“Oh, your sister’s dating me. Is there an issue?” Quentin answered for her with a smug smile.

Before Abigail could respond, Stephen pointed at her face and snapped, “Have you no decency? Didn’t you bother finding out who he is before dating him? Are you crazy?”

Ralph added, “Abigail, his family is loaded, but he’s not a suitable match.”

“Go ahead and ask her if she’s leaving with you two or staying to finish this meal with me,” Quentin said, eyeing Stephen’s flushed, angry face with confidence.

Abigail looked at Stephen and Ralph coldly. “What if I said I’m here to discuss work?”

Stephen’s face turned pale with anger. “Do you think we’re idiots? This is humiliating. No one in our circle wants to associate with him, yet you’re throwing yourself at him! Leave now, or don’t come home again.”

“Abigail, listen to your brother this once and go with him.” Ralph had to persuade with patience, unwilling to expose Quentin’s unsavory past in front of him.

Abigail stared at Stephen and couldn’t help laughing. Even he knew how repulsive Quentin was, yet her own father was pushing her to marry him.

“Ms. Gibson, planning to leave?” Quentin smiled, but his eyes held a clear threat.

Abigail wrenched her hand free from Stephen and locked eyes with Quentin. “We haven’t started eating. Why would I go now?”

Stephen was so furious he looked ready to throw a punch.

Ralph quickly pulled him back, though his tone lost its earlier warmth. “Abigail, with your background, even if you don’t marry into money, you could still date a regular guy. Why stoop to compete with Dani?”

“Finished? If so, let me eat in peace,” Abigail snapped, irritation clear in her voice.

The bottom line was they thought she was vain and jealous, which was why they bought Quentin’s story. They’d never trusted her character.