Before Life 9
Posted on July 09, 2025 ยท 0 mins read
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Chapter 9

Stephen was focused on creating chances for Daniella to spend time with Ralph, so his tone turned sharp. โ€œCan you give it a rest?โ€

โ€œMs. Abigail Gibson, I saw Mr. Wyatt Gibson yesterday,โ€ Ralph said. โ€œWith how his health is right now, he canโ€™t 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.

โ€œI 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, โ€œMr. 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. Heโ€™d even said that once she got her college acceptance letter, heโ€™d take her to see the northern lights.

Ralphโ€™s gaze deepened as his eyes fell on the tears shimmering in hers. For a split second, something intense flashed in his eyesโ€”almost possessiveโ€”but it vanished before Abigail could notice. โ€œSorry, I donโ€™t really know the details of his condition,โ€ he replied.

Abigailโ€™s face was filled with disappointment as she silently turned around.

Ralph instinctively took a step forward. โ€œMr. Wyatt Gibsonโ€™s situation isnโ€™t good. I can help find a doctor.โ€

Seeing Abigail pause, Ralph gave a small smile. Even he didnโ€™t notice the bit of happiness in his eyes.

โ€œRalphie, really?โ€ Daniella cheered and clung to Ralphโ€™s arm. โ€œYouโ€™re the best.โ€

Abigail looked away. The strange feeling sheโ€™d had faded for the most part. She thought, โ€˜So Ralphโ€™s doing this for Daniella. Thatโ€™s fine. As long as Grandpa gets better.โ€˜

Stephen stepped forward, blocking Ralphโ€™s view as he shot Abigail a clear warning.

Stephen said, โ€œRalph, I know you care about Dani and donโ€™t want her to worry about Grandpa. Since youโ€™re here, why donโ€™t you take her to work? Iโ€™m giving you a chance.โ€

He clearly expected Ralph to take the hint. Daniellaโ€™s 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. โ€œAbby, you came home pretty late yesterday. Were you out job hunting again?โ€

โ€œWhat job?โ€ Ralph frowned. He thought, โ€˜Abigail just got out of prison. And the Gibson family already made her find a job?โ€˜

With a look of understanding, Daniella explained, โ€œYesterday 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€

Ralphโ€™s eyes shifted, and he spoke to Abigail directly, โ€œMy companyโ€™s hiring an assistant. If youโ€™re interested-โ€

โ€œRalphie,โ€ Daniella quickly cut in as her face fell, her smile stiff. โ€œAbby, assistant positions usually need a higher degree. Iโ€™m sure you wouldnโ€™t want to get in through connections. If word got out, people might gossip about both our families.โ€

Stephen nodded in agreement. Daniellaโ€™s eyes flickered, and she softened her tone, saying, โ€œStevie, maybe Abby could work at our family company instead. That way it wonโ€™t 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, โ€˜But without a college degree, what department could she even join?โ€˜

Stephen paused for a few seconds before reluctantly saying, โ€œI need a personal assistant. Iโ€™ll take you to the office tomorrow.โ€

Then, when he saw Abigailโ€™s face completely devoid of gratitude, his tone turned sharp. โ€œWhat kind of attitude is that? If Dani hadnโ€™t suggested it, I wouldnโ€™t consider letting you join the company. With your level of education, you wouldnโ€™t even qualify as a janitor.โ€

Abigail looked up, her expression cold. โ€œNo need. I already found a job.โ€

โ€œThatโ€™s impossible,โ€ Stephen snapped, clearly overreacting. โ€œWith your lousy education? What kind of company would hire you? You didnโ€™t go to some shady little company, did you? Youโ€™d better quit before you embarrass the family.โ€

Abigail turned away coldly, her voice calm. โ€œIโ€™m not quitting.โ€

Stephen, seething, shouted after her, โ€œIf you accept that job, donโ€™t blame me when I have Chris cut off your allowance.โ€

Abigail didnโ€™t 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 Abigailโ€™s 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 sheโ€™d used their money to hire someone to set Daniella up, which led to the car accident.

As the memory faded, Abigailโ€™s eyes turned even colder.

Ralph watched her walk away and instinctively started to follow, but someone grabbed his sleeve.

โ€œRalphie, is Abby refusing to work at our family company because sheโ€™s mad I didnโ€™t give her that job?โ€ Daniellaโ€™s eyes turned red as she bit her lip, looking heartbreakingly sad as she blocked his path.

Ralph had a feeling Abigail wasnโ€™t like that. He thought, โ€˜Which 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.


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