Chapter 77
The Gibson family was wealthy. Truthfully, even Stephen disagreed with starving Abigail. He thought, ‘Dani is innocent. How dare Abigail drag her down? If she wanted to compete, why not work harder instead of resorting to petty schemes?’
“Enough talking. You grab the food. I’m checking on Abby,” Bianca said, setting down her empty soup bowl and heading upstairs.
Just then, Daniella and Gabriel returned. “Mom, are you bringing Abby food?” Daniella asked the moment she stepped inside.
Gabriel’s face darkened. “A day without food won’t kill her. She survived hunger in the orphanage. Let this teach her a lesson.”
“Mom, I introduced Dad to the director today. The director said while the collaboration isn’t guaranteed, future projects will prioritize our company. Isn’t that great news?” Daniella said, walking over and gently holding Bianca’s hand.
The update instantly diverted Bianca’s attention. She completely forgot about Abigail.
Stephen, seeing her change of heart, shrugged and slumped back onto the sofa.
Upstairs, Abigail lay curled on the bed, her limbs numb from hunger. She turned weakly, breathing shallowly.
Just then, her phone buzzed. At first, she thought it was a hallucination, but the vibrations persisted. She reached for the phone and saw it was Timothy calling. She answered it in a weak voice. “Hello?”
“The tripartite project is stalled because of you,” Sebastian’s icy voice cut through the speaker.
Abigail winced, clutching her aching stomach. “I already asked Mr. Newman for time off.”
Sebastian gave a derisive snort. His tone was casual but carried an edge of indifference. “Was the chip performance report not urgent enough? You begged for this collaboration. Is this how you honor it?”
Abigail’s grip tightened on the phone. Finally, she explained the truth, “My family found out about yesterday’s incident with Mr. Newman. There is a misunderstanding. I’m locked in.” With that, a sharp inhale betrayed her pain.
“They locked you up?” Sebastian asked.
“Kind of.” Abigail had no intention of sugarcoating the Gibson family’s actions. She needed food. Her stomach was gnawing itself hollow.
Pride be damned, survival mattered more. She didn’t want to lose the job she had fought tooth and nail to get.
She was starving. For the first time, she allowed herself to hope that Sebastian would pull her out of this hellhole, just this once. In return, she would pour everything into the project between Celestial Group and Halden Group.
“You need help?” Sebastian’s voice softened marginally.
Abigail wasn’t sure if the pain was making her hallucinate. “Mr. Robinson,” she said in a hoarse voice, “please send someone to my house, just this once. I’ll repay you with flawless work.”
“Wait there.” With that, Sebastian hung up.
Abigail stayed in her room. The next thirty minutes crawled by. Then, she heard voices from downstairs. “We received a report of unlawful confinement. We’re here to check things out.”
Abigail jerked upright, straining to listen. She feared it was another hallucination.
Bianca and Gabriel’s protests filtered through the door. When the knock finally clicked, Abigail nearly sobbed in relief. She pushed herself and sat upright, staring toward the door.
Light flooded the room as officers entered. The room lights flipped on, revealing Abigail’s pale face and weakened state.
Gabriel took one glance and exploded. “Stop acting for the cops!” He turned to the officers. “She’s a mistress. We were disciplining her.”
Abigail almost laughed at his utterly ridiculous accusation.
“Abby,” Bianca’s voice wavered with guilt. She knew Abigail was like this because she had been starving. She had meant to bring food earlier, but Daniella’s “good news” derailed her.
Abigail looked at the officers, her voice barely audible. “I… need to eat. Please… take me somewhere. Anywhere.”
Bianca lunged forward, clutching her hand. “I’ll cook for you right now. Abby, just listen to me and quit that job, and we won’t lock you in anymore.”
With the last of her strength, Abigail wrenched free. “I don’t want to stay here. Let me leave.”