Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Stephen was focused on creating chances for Daniella to spend time with Ralph, so his tone turned sharp. “Can you give it a rest?”
“Ms. Abigail Gibson, I saw Mr. Wyatt Gibson yesterday,” Ralph said. “With how his health is right now, he can’t handle anything too emotional”
His eyes settled on Abigail. Her stubborn expression was just like he remembered from three years ago, and it stirred something in him.
“I suggest you wait a few days before visiting Mr. Wyatt Gibe
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, “Mr. Fletcher, do you know what illness Grandpa has? Why
is it this serious?”
Before she went to prison, Wyatt had been in great health. He’d even said that once she got her college acceptance letter, he’d take her to see the northern lights.
Ralph’s gaze deepened as his eyes fell on the tears shimmering in hers. For a split second, something intense flashed in his eyes–almost possessive—but it vanished before Abigail could notice. “Sorry, I don’t really know the details of his condition,” he replied.
Abigail’s face was filled with disappointment as she silently turned around.
Ralph instinctively took a step forward. “Mr. Wyatt Gibson’s situation isn’t good. I can help find a doctor.”
Seeing Abigail pause, Ralph gave a small smile. Even he didn’t notice the bit of happiness in his eyes.
“Ralphie, really?” Daniella cheered and clung to Ralph’s arm. “You’re the
best.”
Abigail looked away. The strange feeling she’d had faded for the most part. She thought, ‘So Ralph’s doing this for Daniella. That’s fine. As long as Grandpa gets better.‘
Stephen stepped forward, blocking Ralph’s view as he shot Abigail a clear warning.
Stephen said, “Ralph, I know you care about Dani and don’t want her to worry about Grandpa. Since you’re here, why don’t you take her to work? I’m giving you a chance.”
He clearly expected Ralph to take the hint. Daniella’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. “Abby, you came home pretty late yesterday. Were you out job hunting again?”
“What job?” Ralph frowned. He thought, ‘Abigail just got out of prison. And the Gibson family already made her find a job?‘
With a look of understanding, Daniella explained, “Yesterday 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.”
Ralph’s eyes shifted, and he spoke to Abigail directly, “My company’s hiring an assistant. If you’re interested-”
“Ralphie,” Daniella quickly cut in as her face fell, her smile stiff. “Abby, assistant positions usually need a higher degree. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to get in through connections. If word got out, people might gossip about both our families.”
Stephen nodded in agreement. Daniella’s eyes flickered, and she softened her tone, saying, “Stevie, maybe Abby could work at our family company instead. That way it won’t cause trouble for anyone.”
Stephen hesitated. Abigail was still his sister, after all. It made sense for her to work at the family business.
He thought, ‘But without a college degree, what department could she even join?‘
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12:26 Wed, 18 Jún
Chapter 9
Stephen paused for a few seconds before reluctantly saying, “I need a personal assistant. I’ll take you to the office tomorrow.”
Then, when he saw Abigail’s face completely devoid of gratitude, his tone turned sharp. “What kind of attitude is that? If Dani hadn’t suggested it, I wouldn’t consider letting you join the company. With your level of education, you wouldn’t even qualify as a janitor.”
Abigail looked up, her expression cold. “No need. I already found a job.”
“That’s impossible,” Stephen snapped, clearly overreacting. “With your lousy education? What kind of company would hire you? You didn’t go to some shady little company, did you? You’d better quit before you embarrass the family.”
Abigail turned away coldly, her voice calm. “I’m not quitting.”
Stephen, seething, shouted after her, “If you accept that job, don’t blame me when I have Chris cut off your allowance.”
Abigail didn’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 Abigail’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 she’d used their money to hire someone to set Daniella up, which led to the car accident.
As the memory faded, Abigail’s eyes turned even colder.
Ralph watched her walk away and instinctively started to follow, but someone grabbed his sleeve.
“Ralphie, is Abby refusing to work at our family company because she’s mad I didn’t give her that job?” Daniella’s eyes turned red as she bit her lip, looking heartbreakingly sad as she blocked his path.
Ralph had a feeling Abigail wasn’t like that. He thought, ‘Which company did Abigail end up working for?‘
Then he remembered what Daniella said about Abigail not having much education, and his eyes darkened slightly.
