Chapter 79

Sebastian let out a derisive chuckle. “You think hiding at work will solve everything?”

Abigail met his gaze. “I’ll handle it quickly. It won’t affect the project.”

“Good.” Sebastian looked away, feigning indifference. “If you need help, reach out to Jeremiah.”

Jeremiah seized the moment, pulling out his phone. “Next time this happens, call me immediately.” Suddenly, he caught Sebastian’s icy stare and backtracked. “Ahem, since the medical robots will integrate Celestial Group’s chips, all confidential matters should go through Mr. Robinson directly.”

“Got it.” Abigail reached into her bag for her phone while still eating.

Jeremiah approached Sebastian with exaggerated deference. “Mr. Robinson, your phone, please.”

Sebastian unlocked his phone and handed it over.

Abigail continued eating her noodles while reciting her phone number.

Sebastian watched as Jeremiah inputted the digits, and his jaw finally relaxed when the contact was saved.

Jeremiah returned the phone.

Sebastian took the phone. A few taps later, he pinned her contact to the top of his list.

Jeremiah noticed this, cleared his throat meaningfully, and said to Abigail, “You should pin Mr. Robinson to the top of your list for efficiency.”

Abigail nearly choked on her noodles. Still, it made sense. Sebastian was the ultimate authority of Celestial Group, and every detail from Halden Group needed to go through him first. “My phone is old,” she said apologetically. “Three-year-old OS. No pinning feature.”

Upon hearing this, Jeremiah instinctively glanced at Sebastian, who leveled him with a glare. He instantly regretted speaking.

“I’ll get a new phone and pin Mr. Robinson after this project pays out,” Abigail finished her meal and added.

After all, Sebastian held the most authority over this project, and Jeremiah had already mentioned it. Offending the boss would be career suicide.

“Didn’t your family even buy you a new phone?” Jeremiah blurted out.

A high-end phone with decent storage didn’t even cost more than a thousand dollars. The Gibson family’s annual spending hit millions of dollars. How could they begrudge her a phone?

“They won’t even feed her properly. You think they’d buy her a phone?” Sebastian’s voice dripped with scorn.

Abigail scratched her head, staying silent. In all this time, her family had never once considered replacing her outdated phone. They didn’t care about her, so such details never crossed their minds.

Seeing her with her head bowed, looking so pitiful, Sebastian turned to Jeremiah. “Get the latest model with max storage.”

“That’s not necessary,” Abigail cut in. “My phone still works.” To him, it was pocket change. But she refused to owe him.

Sebastian frowned, his tone brooking no argument, “Just take it.”

Jeremiah was already out the door.

Faced with Sebastian’s firm attitude, Abigail swallowed her protest.

“A three-year-old device can’t handle coding workloads.” Sebastian sat beside the bed, his tone as indifferent as ever. “Deliver good results, and you’ll get more than a phone.”

“Alright, I got it.” Abigail understood. He was worried her outdated phone would hold up the project.

After finishing her IV drip, Jeremiah led Abigail out of the hospital. Sebastian trailed behind. Their shadows stretched long.

Head bowed, Abigail stole glances at Sebastian’s shadow–one hand in his pocket, and the other scrolling idly, exuding relaxation.

Just then, Jeremiah’s phone pinged. He said after checking, “Ms. Gibson, most hotels these days have hidden cameras, or sanitation is questionable. Mr. Robinson’s usual place is secure. How about staying there for one night?”

“Okay.” Abigail nodded. She had no reason to refuse. After everything they had done for her tonight, it would be ungrateful.