Chapter 9
Stephen was focused on creating chances for Daniella to spend time with Ralph, so his tone turned sharp. โCan you give it a rest?โ
โMs. Abigail Gibson, I saw Mr. Wyatt Gibson yesterday,โ Ralph said. โWith how his health is right now, he canโt handle anything too emotional.โ
His eyes settled on Abigail. Her stubborn expression was just like he remembered from three years ago, and it stirred something in him.
โI suggest you wait a few days before visiting Mr. Wyatt Gibs-โ Ralph remarked.
As soon as he finished, Abigail had already stepped in front of him. Her bright eyes fixed on him, filled with hope and a trace of tears.
She asked, โMr. Fletcher, do you know what illness Grandpa has? Why is it this serious?โ
Before she went to prison, Wyatt had been in great health. Heโd even said that once she got her college acceptance letter, heโd take her to see the northern lights.
Ralphโs gaze deepened as his eyes fell on the tears shimmering in hers. For a split second, something intense flashed in his eyesโalmost possessiveโbut it vanished before Abigail could notice. โSorry, I donโt really know the details of his condition,โ he replied.
Abigailโs face was filled with disappointment as she silently turned around.
Ralph instinctively took a step forward. โMr. Wyatt Gibsonโs situation isnโt good. I can help find a doctor.โ
Seeing Abigail pause, Ralph gave a small smile. Even he didnโt notice the bit of happiness in his eyes.
โRalphie, really?โ Daniella cheered and clung to Ralphโs arm. โYouโre the best.โ
Abigail looked away. The strange feeling sheโd had faded for the most part. She thought, โSo Ralphโs doing this for Daniella. Thatโs fine. As long as Grandpa gets better.โ
Stephen stepped forward, blocking Ralphโs view as he shot Abigail a clear warning.
Stephen said, โRalph, I know you care about Dani and donโt want her to worry about Grandpa. Since youโre here, why donโt you take her to work? Iโm giving you a chance.โ
He clearly expected Ralph to take the hint. Daniellaโs cheeks turned red, and she glanced at Abigail standing behind Stephen.
When Daniella thought about how Ralph treated Abigail differently, jealousy flickered in her eyes. โAbby, you came home pretty late yesterday. Were you out job hunting again?โ
โWhat job?โ Ralph frowned. He thought, โAbigail just got out of prison. And the Gibson family already made her find a job?โ
With a look of understanding, Daniella explained, โYesterday Stevie took me to Halden Group for an interview. We ran into Abby there. Halden Group has high education standards, and Abby never went to college, so the interviewer turned her down.โ
Ralphโs eyes shifted, and he spoke to Abigail directly, โMy companyโs hiring an assistant. If youโre interested-โ
โRalphie,โ Daniella quickly cut in as her face fell, her smile stiff. โAbby, assistant positions usually need a higher degree. Iโm sure you wouldnโt want to get in through connections. If word got out, people might gossip about both our families.โ
Stephen nodded in agreement. Daniellaโs eyes flickered, and she softened her tone, saying, โStevie, maybe Abby could work at our family company instead. That way it wonโt cause trouble for anyone.โ
Stephen hesitated. Abigail was still his sister, after all. It made sense for her to work at the family business.
He thought, โBut without a college degree, what department could she even join?โ
Stephen paused for a few seconds before reluctantly saying, โI need a personal assistant. Iโll take you to the office tomorrow.โ
Then, when he saw Abigailโs face completely devoid of gratitude, his tone turned sharp. โWhat kind of attitude is that? If Dani hadnโt suggested it, I wouldnโt consider letting you join the company. With your level of education, you wouldnโt even qualify as a janitor.โ
Abigail looked up, her expression cold. โNo need. I already found a job.โ
โThatโs impossible,โ Stephen snapped, clearly overreacting. โWith your lousy education? What kind of company would hire you? You didnโt go to some shady little company, did you? Youโd better quit before you embarrass the family.โ
Abigail turned away coldly, her voice calm. โIโm not quitting.โ
Stephen, seething, shouted after her, โIf you accept that job, donโt blame me when I have Chris cut off your allowance.โ
Abigail didnโt stop walking. Each of the Gibson kids had a bank card that received a monthly allowance of thirty thousand dollars.
Abigail got hers when she returned to the family, but because Daniella falsely accused her of ruining her dress out of jealousy, their oldest brother Christian Gibson cut Abigailโs allowance in half and gave the other half to Daniella.
Christian claimed it was to teach Abigail a lesson. That so-called lesson had lasted until the day before she went to prison, when Christian took the card back. Even now, she could still picture the disgust on his face.
Christian had said Abigail was malicious, that sheโd used their money to hire someone to set Daniella up, which led to the car accident.
As the memory faded, Abigailโs eyes turned even colder.
Ralph watched her walk away and instinctively started to follow, but someone grabbed his sleeve.
โRalphie, is Abby refusing to work at our family company because sheโs mad I didnโt give her that job?โ Daniellaโs eyes turned red as she bit her lip, looking heartbreakingly sad as she blocked his path.
Ralph had a feeling Abigail wasnโt like that. He thought, โWhich company did Abigail end up working for?โ
Then he remembered what Daniella said about Abigail not having much education, and his eyes darkened slightly.