Chapter 36 But before Stephen could tract , the pearl pendant was caught by the chain and dangled in the air , Abigail spoke calmly , " This is the pearl necklace Grandpa gave me . My name is engraved on the clasp . " Daniella's face turned a bit tense . At the same time , Stephen picked up the necklace and examined it . As Abigail just said , the name Abby was engraved on il Before he could say anything Abigail yanked the necklace back forcefully . She looked at him as if he were a joke . She snapped , " See it now ? So how exactly is she going to prove it's hers ? Or are you going to say Daniella bought a necklace and deliberately had my name engraved on it ? " Stephen's face twisted with frustration at her sarcasm . " Abigail , you have to be so aggressive ? Abigail snapped back , " With someone blind and brainless , I'm afraid being subtle just doesn't get the message across . " Stephen flushed with humiliation . " It's just a cheap necklace . You really think we care that much ? Grandpa probably gave it to you just to get you out of the way , and you treat it like a treasure . Pathetic . You probably never saw something nice before . " As soon as those words left Stephen's mouth , Abigail stepped up to him . Stephen opened his mouth to retort , but before he could say a word , the crisp sound echoed through the second floor . Stephen stood in shock and growled , " How dare you ? Abigail stared at him , her voice sharp as a blade . " You can insult me , but you don't get to speak ill of Grandpa . " Stephen blurted out , " Who the hell do you think you are ? You think Grandpa actually cares about you ? " Before he could finish his words , another slap landed on the other cheek . Rage burned in his eyes as he instinctively raised his hand to strike back . " Stevie , you can't hit her . " Bianca's voice stopped him . She had seen the entire exchange . And now , laced with the truth - Daniella's necklace was indeed Abigail's Bianca was at a loss . " Could Abigail have been telling the truth all along ? No way . Dani would never do something like that . There has to be a misunderstanding , she thought . " Mom , did you not see how she hit me ? Stephen turned to Bianca , his face red with the shape of the handprints . Bianca was pulled back to reality . She looked at her son's flushed cheeks and felt a pang of pain . She turned to Abigail and said , " Abby , you think we wronged you , you can talk it out . You can't just resort to violence . You should apologize to Stevie Abigail's voice was cold and disdainful . " He doesn't deserve it . " Stephen's anger surged . Bianca's expression turned dark too , but before she could speak , Abigail had already returned to her room Moments later , she came out with a backpack slung over her shoulder and walked past them without a word . Bianca started to call out to her , but Stephen interrupted . " Let her go . Let's see where she even thinks she can go . Mom , if she doesn't suffer some setbacks , she will embarrass all of us . We can tolerate her at home , but the outside world won't . " Bianca paused , as if something occurred to her . She sighed , " Why has Abby changed so much ? She wasn't like this when she first came back . " Daniella's eyes flickered . " Do you think . Abby's dating someone ? " Blanca froze for a second and then frowned , clearly lost in thought . At the same time , Abigail had already let the villa and checked into a hotel near her company . Chapter 36 After a solid night's sleep , she woke to see several missed calls from unfamiliar numbers . She was sure those calls were from the Gibson family ! Abigail deleted them all , washed up , packed her things , and checked out . Outside Halden Group , a luxurious car pulled up , and Daniella stepped out . It was rush hour , and she was used to the admiring glances from those around her . She spoke to Stephen , " Stevin , you don't need to pick me up after work . Ralphie said he'd come ." Stephen nodded and smiled , " Finally , Ralph knows how to make you happy . Anyway , it's worth the wait , huh ? " Daniella said with a blush , " Come on , Stevie . Don't make fun of me ." Stephen chuckled , but just as he was about to reply , his gaze caught a familiar figure . He suddenly opened the car door . Daniella was shocked by his sudden move and asked, " Stevie ? What's up ? " But in the blink of an eye , the figure was gone . Stephen shook his head and replied , " I thought I saw Abigail Must've been my imagination " Daniella frowned . " No way . Halden Group has strict hiring standards . Abby wouldn't make the cut " Stephen let out a cold laugh . " Guess I didn't see it clearly . " Daniella checked the time , said goodbye to Stephen , and turned to walk into the building " Abigail , you're finally back . " The moment Abigail arrived at R & D , she was greeted with enthusiasm from her workmates . Timothy even came into their office personally to praise her . " Abigail , well done . You really made our department proud . " Abigail was a bit surprised by how fast the news had traveled . But Timothy's praise didn't matter much to her because she'd already received the bonus she cared about . " You're amazing , Abigail " Leon appeared the second Timothy left , grinning with a bit too much eagerness . " Do I have the honor to have lunch with you today ? " Abigail looked at him , confused , and shook her head . " Thanks , but don't bother . I'll just eat at the cafeteria Leon insisted , " Come on , the cafeteria food's good , but it'll still be there tomorrow . Just give me the honor today , okay ? " Abigail gave him a direct look . " You can just say what you want from me . If I can help , I will . But no need for lunch . " AD Comment