Chapter 64

By the time Abigail wrapped up work, it was nearly 8:30 p.m. The moment she stepped out of Halden Group, a car screeched past her and halted abruptly at her feet. Abigail barely avoided being hit, her heart slamming against her ribs.

When she saw Stephen climb out, she snapped, “Are you out of your mind? Don’t you watch the road when you drive? If you want to end up in jail, find someone else to ram into!”

Stephen strode over and clamped a hand around her wrist.

Noticing his bloodshot eyes and agitated posture, Abigail wrenched free. “What’s your problem?”

“You just went along with Dad’s plan to meet Quentin? Couldn’t you bother to research who he is first?” Stephen was now seething with unchecked fury.

Abigail thought he looked like a rabid dog, ready to lash out at anyone.

She stared at him coldly, voice flat. “Since when do I get a say in the Gibson family? You all had no issue letting me take the fall and go to prison. Marrying me to a scumbag must seem like child’s play to you.”

Stephen was rendered speechless by her cutting retort.

When he stayed silent, Abigail asked indifferently, “Done interrogating me? Can I leave now?”

Stephen said, “This is different. Dad’s so obsessed with short-term gain that he’s trashing our family’s name. If you marry the guy, everyone will think we’d sell our souls for status.”

He grabbed her arm as she turned to go, his eyes misting. “You could’ve spoken up at noon. I’d have pummeled him, and this mess would’ve ended. But you clammed up. How were we supposed to know?”

“Why bother explaining? When I said I didn’t want to take the blame and go to jail, did anyone listen? When I called you for help, did you even care? Now you’re panicking about your precious reputation and blaming me?”

Abigail shoved him away in disgust. “Quentin’s a piece of trash, but you’re no better.” With that, she brushed past the car and walked off.

Stephen jeered after her. “Like you’re innocent! You never say a word, then dump all the blame on us and play the victim!”

Abigail brushed him off. She walked to the street corner, flagged down a taxi, and slid inside without a backward glance.

The two arrived home one after the other.

Gabriel sat on the sofa, his mood so dark it practically cast a shadow, while Bianca kept shooting anxious looks toward the door.

Daniella sat curled in an armchair, her phone clenched in her hand. Worry filled her downcast eyes. She’d sent Stephen countless messages, all unanswered.

‘Is Abigail’s marriage to Quentin really bothering him this much?’ Daniella wondered.

“Stevie, you’re finally back,” Bianca’s voice interrupted her thoughts.

Daniella watched Stephen and Abigail enter together, stopping at the door to remove their shoes. Her fingers tightened around her phone. ‘So he’d gone to pick her up,’ she thought.

“I won’t agree to Abby marrying Quentin,” Stephen declared as soon as he walked in, facing Gabriel.

Gabriel shot to his feet, voice sharp. “Don’t you dare tell me what to do in this house! I’ve already promised Quentin. If we renege now, do you want our family destroyed in the tech industry?”

“Have you even considered how this looks? Ralph doesn’t want to marry Dani as it is. What if the Fletcher family uses this to break off the engagement?” Stephen stepped closer, challenging his father.

Gabriel snapped back, “I’ll deal with the Fletcher family. I’ll say Abby chooses to marry Quentin on her own. The Fletchers family can’t hold us responsible for her decisions.”

Abigail listened, a sarcastic smile tugging at her lips. She couldn’t be bothered to join their conversation, turned, and headed upstairs.

At that moment, Stephen suddenly grasped why Abigail no longer resisted.

“Dad, Quentin’s reputation is beyond salvaging. How can marrying Abby to him possibly help our family?” Stephen’s tone softened when he realized he couldn’t argue his father down.

When Daniella heard this, her taut shoulders eased slightly. She thought, ‘So part of his worry is about me getting dragged into this.’

Daniella stepped closer, placing a hand on Stephen’s arm and speaking in a gentle tone. “Stevie, let Mom and Dad sort this out. Arguing won’t get you anywhere. Besides, if Abby’s okay with marrying him, why stand in her way?”

Stephen rounded on Daniella in a rare outburst. “What made you think she’s willing to do this?”

His furious tone left Daniella startled into silence.

“Drop this now. I’m still the one in control here. If I catch you messing with Quentin, I’ll break your damn legs!” Gabriel glared at Stephen before marching upstairs.

“Your father has his reasons. Just stay out of it,” Bianca said, trailing after Gabriel.

Abigail walked out of the bathroom post-shower and stiffened at the sight of Bianca in her room. Her expression turned icy.

Bianca rose to her feet, eyeing her pleadingly. “We all want you to have a good marriage, but you have to face facts. What decent family would take someone who’s been to jail?”