Chapter 17 Chapter 17 Abigail gave a slight nod . " Let's start with self - introductions . " The shy guy spoke up softly , " I'm Simon Hall ." The guy who clearly seemed unconvinced completely ignored her . Simon looked a little embarrassed and added , " His name's Martin Henderson . " The last one stayed quiet , dressed in a black hoodie with a mask on and his head 11ted . His voice was flat . " Elliott Simpson . " " I'm Abigail Gibson . Now go back to your seats and move them so they're all together," Abigail said . Simon responded in a small voice , " Okay . " Martin and Elliott were already walking off . Abigail didn't care much about tho treated her . She turned and went straight back to her desk . Outside the Halden Group building , Ralph parked his car . Stephen had called him Daniella after work . over before leaving for a business trip abroad , asking him to pick up Ralph checked the time . It was already the end of the workday . He stepped out of the car , and just as he glanced toward the building's exit , his eyes locked on someone . " Abigail ? " The sudden voice made Abigail pause . She looked up and was a bit surprised to see Ralph . She thought , ' What's he doing here ? He must be here to pick up Daniella . ' " Mr. Fletcher , " Abigail greeted him . Ralph frowned slightly . He didn't like the way she addressed him . " You work here too ? Didn't Dani say you didn't have enough education ? " He thought , ' Could she be doing janitorial work or something ? She's still the heiress of the Gibson family . How could she lower herself to that ? ' " Abigail , you should really consider what I said before . Being my assistant is way better than being a janitor , " Ralph said . " A janitor ? " A flash of mockery crossed Abigail's eyes . " You think I'm a janitor here ? " Ralph frowned . " Aren't you ? " Abigail didn't feel like explaining . Her tone was flat . " If that's what you think , sure . " Ralph reached out to block her path . " Abigail , there's no need to make things hard on yourself . Quit this job and come work at my company tomorrow . " Right after he finished speaking , his phone rang . Abigail saw the caller ID - Dani . She wasn't surprised at all . Ralph turned away to take the call , and by the time he turned back , Abigail was already gone . Something in Ralph's chest twisted uncomfortably . At that moment , Abigail was already in a cab . She hadn't taken Ralph's offer seriously at all and had no intention of going . When she got back to the Gibson Villa and stepped into the living room , Bianca was on the couch arranging flowers . She looked up and waved at Abigail with a smile , saying , " Abby , how's work going ? " Bianca actually didn't want Abigail to work . She thought Abigail didn't have the education to land any decent job . But Abigail never listened to her anyway , and Bianca still carried guilt over Abigail being forced to take the blame and go to prison . So Bianca hadn't brought it up again . Chapter 17 : " It's fine . Mrs. Gibson , did you need something ? " Abigail walked over but didn't sit down . Bianca looked a little down but forced a smile . " Stevie left for his business trip abroad today . I was wondering what you'd like for dinner . " In truth , Bianca had been thinking about what had happened yesterday . She felt guilty and wanted the chef to make something Abigail liked . That was when Bianca realized that she didn't even know what Abigail liked to eat . " No need . " Abigail's expression shifted slightly . " How's Grandpa doing ? " She thought , ' Stephen's gone . Maybe I can go see Grandpa ' Abigail then said , " I'd like to go visit him . " Bianca froze for a second and lowered her head , avoiding Abigail's gaze . Before Stephen left , he'd told Bianca not to let Abigail see Wyatt . Stephen knew exactly what Bianca's weakness was . He used the excuse that if Abigail met Wyatt , she'd want to leave the Gibson family . The truth was , it wasn't that Stephen cared about Abigail . He just didn't want her leaving before the engagement between the Gibson family and the Fletchers was officially settled on Daniella . In plain terms , the Fletchers hadn't given an answer yet . Keeping Abigail close was just a way to stop her from secretly reaching out to Ralph . If Abigail knew , she'd just think Stephen was projecting his own malice onto everyone else . " Abby , your grandfather isn't in any condition to have visitors right now . I'll take you to him when he's better , " Bianca said . Abigail's eyes grew colder . " In any condition " was just their excuse . " In that case , Mrs. Gibson , I don't think we have anything else to say , " Abigail replied , heading to her room . " Abby , " Bianca called after her , her voice heavy with sorrow , " what will it take for you to forgive me ? " Abigail almost laughed . She thought , ' She wants forgiveness , but I won't do anything worth forgiving . ' " Mrs. Gibson , why bother ? " Abigail's voice was soft and calm . " Isn't this fine ? You guys can love Daniella with anything like family love ." all I your heart , and I won't bother hoping for " No , Abby , you're my biological daughter . I know you hate me , and know you blame me , but I want to make it right . I'll do anything if you'll just forgive me , " Bianca sobbed . Abigail thought Bianca had only managed to move herself . " So , you think you actually love me ? " she asked . Bianca didn't hesitate . " Yes . There isn't a mother in this world who doesn't love her child . " Abigail scoffed , " But some mothers only know how to talk about love like it means something . " Mrs. Gibson , you say you love me , but you forced me to go to prison for your adopted daughter and made me live in the servant's room . You don't even know what I like to eat . " So please , there's no need to keep up this act , I'm not good at acting . I can't play along in your little performance , and I don't want to pretend we're a loving mother and daughter . " As soon as Abigail finished speaking , Bianca's face turned even paler .