Ch. 671..680

Chapter 671 I Am Your Uncle Vincent

Abigail couldn't help but miss him, but she felt even more guilty towards Sean.

Over the past month, she had kept too many things from him, especially her fear of him finding out about Larry.

She hoped that nothing would happen in the next two years and that Luna would remember everything and recognize Larry as her own.

"Yes, I do," she replied, her guilt making her words lack confidence.

Despite Sean sensing her distraction, he swiftly dismissed any feeling of loss, reassured by the knowledge that she would be back soon.

"I'll wait for you at the airport. If you're too tired, you can take a nap on the plane," Sean said, his voice carrying a hint of laughter.

"Okay," Abigail tried to lift her spirits.

She hadn't done anything wrong to Sean. The child belonged to Luna, not her.

After convincing herself of this, Abigail felt much better.

...

Back in Capitalis, as Abigail walked out of the airport, she saw Sean and Xavien.

He seemed to be saying something to Xavien, who nodded in response.

When Xavien saw Abigail, he immediately pointed towards her.

Sean looked in her direction.

And in that moment, Abigail suddenly felt an indescribable emotion. She quickly walked towards Sean.

"I'm back," Abigail said, standing in front of Sean with a faint smile in her eyes.

Xavien stepped forward to help her with her luggage.

Sean couldn't hold back any longer and reached out to hold her hand, wanting to embrace her. But knowing that Abigail was always reserved, he could only gently stroke the back of her hand. "You look tired. Is work exhausting?"

"It's okay. Should we go to a restaurant first, or should I go back and take a shower and change clothes?" Abigail noticed that many people were watching them, and she felt a bit embarrassed.

"Let's go back first. You can take a shower and rest for half an hour before going out again," Sean suggested, realizing that Abigail was much more tired than he had imagined.

"Okay," Abigail nodded.

When they arrived back at Pearson Residence, Lawrence and Scarlett were overjoyed.

After Abigail finished showering, she sat on the couch watching a drama and eating. Lawrence sat beside her, looking at her with a gentle expression. "Sean has been eagerly waiting for you to come back. Finally, he has you back."

"There was a sudden issue at work; I couldn't help it," Abigail replied, looking at Sean and lifting her chin slightly. "Shall we go home tomorrow to visit Grandma and Grandpa?"

"Sure." Sean nodded. Although he spent a lot of time in Pendorf, Abigail hadn't come back for a month due to work, so she must be missing Analise a lot.

Scarlett served juice to Abigail and Sean. She sat next to the couch, hesitant to speak.

"What do you want to say?" Abigail sensed it and immediately asked. Sean took a sip of juice and remained silent.

"Has Luna been in touch with you recently?" Scarlett asked cautiously.

Abigail's eyelid twitched, and she accidentally crushed the grapes in her hand.

"What's wrong?" Lawrence noticed her abnormality and immediately became worried.

"Hasn't she contacted you guys? I've been busy with work for the past month and don't know what's going on with her. Did something happen to her?" Abigail tried to divert attention and turn the tables. Lawrence and Scarlett sighed in unison.

"If she had reached out to us, would I still be asking you? Josh is struggling to move forward, and we've been contemplating whether letting Luna meet him could potentially help the situation." Scarlett expressed her genuine concern.

Abigail stuffed the grapes into her mouth and calmly said, "Breaking up is not a big deal. It's been so long. Why can't he let go?"

Sean silently watched her, his eyes filled with deep thoughts.

"Josh is the one who can't move on. Luna has been gone for so long, but he still refuses to let go," Lawrence said helplessly.

"I'll go out for dinner and talk to him when I come back," Abigail said, taking a few sips of juice to calm her racing heart.

It was the perfect opportunity. She could use this chance to ask if Josh had met Luna before she became pregnant.

"Okay, you're the only one who can reason with him. We've tried everything," Lawrence nodded, feeling relieved now that Abigail had returned.

After all, Abigail was the most straightforward and rational person in this family.

As Abigail and Sean were getting ready to go out for dinner, Vincent unexpectedly returned with Patricia.

The two couples crossed paths at the doorway.

Upon seeing Abigail, Vincent quickly put on a fake smile. "Abigail, you're back. Why are you going out so late?"

Unimpressed, Abigail coldly retorted, "Do we know each other? It's none of your business."

"I'm your uncle. How can we not know each other?" Vincent proclaimed proudly.

Noticing Vincent's attitude, Abigail began to suspect that he might have information about Luna and herself.

Looking disdainfully at Abigail, Patricia remarked in a displeased tone, "Such an ill-mannered person."

Abigail simply pursed her lips, choosing not to dignify Patricia's comment with a response.

Instead, she shot Vincent a fierce and hateful gaze.

"Manners are about how you treat people, aren't they?" Sean retorted to Patricia, holding Abigail's hand.

Suppressing her anger, Abigail slowly backed away.

Despite her intense emotions, she recognized that exploding at this moment would not be productive.

She needed to maintain composure and devise a plan to expose the person behind the scenes, all in pursuit of justice for Luna.

 

 

Chapter 672 Is This Not Alana?

Vincent fixed his gaze on Abigail, a smug satisfaction lingering in his eyes, similar to that of a narrow-minded individual reveling in their perceived triumph.

"Sean really believes in you," he suddenly said out of the blue, then casually walked into the house.

Abigail's eyes filled with deep hatred, but she quickly suppressed it.

"Let's go," she said calmly to Sean and walked out.

Sean followed her.

As they sat in the car, Sean finally spoke up, "Your animosity toward Vincent today seems a bit unusual."

"I have always disliked him. If it weren't for the terrible things he did, you wouldn't have found yourself in such a situation," Abigail replied.

Luna had endured suffering, yet Vincent, the primary wrongdoer, remained unscathed.

She couldn't understand it. Is it possible that virtuous individuals perish prematurely while malevolence endures for millennia?

"It's alright. There will come a day when he pays for his actions," Sean comforted Abigail.

Although he felt that Abigail was acting strangely today, he believed in her.

If she had something to share, she would surely tell him.

After all, they had been together for so long.

Even if she was keeping something from him, it was likely a decision she arrived at after thoughtful deliberation.

When they arrived at the restaurant, Sean ordered the food while Abigail played with her phone and asked him, "Have you seen Josh recently? How is he doing?"

"What else could he be doing? Besides, when he's working, he's pretty normal now. He's usually very introverted and cold. Probably because he truly despises Luna," Sean paused for a moment and continued, "I think it's common for relationships to come to an end, but Luna's way of breaking up with him was exceptionally heartless."

"Do you know how they broke up?" Abigail was somewhat surprised.

She had asked a few times before, but unfortunately, Josh didn't explain in detail and told her not to worry, saying that he didn't blame Luna.

"Not long after he came back, I took him out for a drink to help him cope with his pain. After he got drunk, he told me some things. He said they were getting along well, but Luna started getting inexplicably angry, even though he made a lot of effort to salvage the relationship and tried not to provoke her. Unfortunately, in the end, she still hurt him deeply." Sean leaned closer to Abigail.

"Josh mentioned that in the month leading up to their breakup, Luna almost drove him crazy. Every night, when they were sleeping together, he would turn over, and Luna would suddenly wake up. Then, she would fly into a rage and start smashing things, telling him to get out. Was Luna always like this?" Sean couldn't help but feel that this Luna was entirely different from the one he knew before.

If she truly had character issues, she would have shown her true colors after working with Abigail for so many years.

"Is that true? Could he be remembering it wrong?" Abigail asked.

"I knew you would take Luna's side, and Josh knew it too. That's why he didn't tell you about it," Sean said, continuing to look down at the menu.

Abigail fell silent.

Of course, she believed Josh's words... because, at that time, Luna's mental state was already deteriorating.

Perhaps back then, she couldn't even control herself.

Holding her phone, Abigail tried hard to restrain her emotions and not show her sadness.

"It is indeed strange for Luna to be in this situation. It's normal for you not to believe it," Sean said, noticing that she seemed upset and quickly added.

"I'm not angry because you said this. I just can't quite accept it," Abigail explained slowly.

"During this time, I've thought about it carefully. If, and I mean if, what Josh said is true, then based on your understanding of Luna, what do you think caused her to become like this?" Sean closed the menu and pressed the service bell.

"In her previous relationships, she used to argue a lot towards the end. Perhaps it's because she had been single for a long time and hadn't learned how to properly get along with a boyfriend," Abigail said, feeling guilty as she spoke.

Sean couldn't help but chuckle. "You're too good to her."

"After all, she's my best friend," Abigail said, feeling justified in her bias towards Luna. Their bond had endured for many years. Although Josh was her brother, their shared upbringing couldn't

compare to the hardships Abigail and Luna had faced together.

Furthermore, Luna's current state weighed heavily on Abigail's conscience. Despite any accusations thrown at Luna, Abigail remained steadfast in her support. Even if the entire world pointed fingers, she would stand by her best friend.

Upon seeing the waiter approaching, Sean chose not to bring up Luna again.

However, Abigail contemplated discussing Luna's situation with Cameron.

Yet, she hesitated, knowing that Cameron would likely disclose it to Sean. Feeling a sense of isolation, Abigail grappled with her dilemma.

"I was planning to propose to you. But with Josh behaving like this, I think I should take it slow. Our engagement would undoubtedly weigh on his mind," Sean reclined in his chair, a bitter smile on his face.

In the past, he wouldn't have cared about Josh.

The consideration of the family factor had started to influence Sean's perspective.

Abigail also felt that the timing was inappropriate for a proposal. Luna's situation consumed her thoughts day and night, making it impossible for her to focus on her own lifelong matters until Luna's issues were addressed.

She vowed never to let someone who loved her suffer again.

Just as Abigail was deeply troubled, a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts. "Oh, isn't this Ms. Alana?"

 

 

Chapter 673 She Felt Guilty

Abigail shifted her gaze, feeling her scalp tighten instantly as Simond came into view. Despite the vastness of Capitalis, she had always believed it was a city where chance encounters were rare. Therefore, she hadn't paid much attention to Simond's presence in the city.

Sean couldn't help but frown when he heard Simond's familiar tone, but he managed to maintain a smile as he addressed Abigail, "Do you two know each other?"

Before Abigail could respond, Simond, seated beside her, interjected with a smile, "Didn't she tell you? We were quite close in Adral. Oh, and she was there with—"

"Are you finished?" Abigail interrupted him, her patience wearing thin.

Simond turned to Abigail, still smiling. "Ms. Alana, where did that composure go when you were presenting your products on stage? That version of you was the most captivating."

Sean's demeanor shifted. He seized Simond's collar, his gaze transforming into an icy stare. "If you wish to avoid me teaching you a lesson, I suggest you leave immediately!"

After delivering his threat, Sean forcefully pushed Simond away. The smile vanished from Simond's face, replaced by a gaze with pitch-black intensity. "Mr. Graham, before you lay a hand on me, consider carefully whether I am someone you can afford to provoke."

Sean sneered. "The sole heir of the Simpson Family. Are you entangled with shadowy forces overseas, stealthily returning to the homeland to evade pursuers?"

Leaning back in his chair, Sean's expression became more provocative. "It's only because of our homeland's tolerance that anyone returning is protected."

Abigail intervened before Simond could respond. "Please don't disturb us while we're having dinner. Thank you."

Simond raised an eyebrow. He stood up and locked eyes with Abigail. "Disturb? Ms. Alana, what do you mean? I merely came to extend a greeting."

"We're not close. There's no need for greetings," Abigail asserted without looking at him.

"Who can say for sure whether we're acquainted or not?" Simond finished, turning around and leaving with ease.

However, his words left Abigail uncertain about how to explain things to Sean.

"When I was in Adral for personal matters, I ran into him. But I didn't intend to be friends with him or anything," Abigail explained, biting her lip.

She was well aware that one lie would lead to countless more lies to cover up.

Nevertheless, in Luna's current predicament, she found herself unable to disclose anything, even for the sake of Sean's safety. While Sean possessed considerable skills, it was undeniable that the Golden Triangle incident had nearly cost him his life as well.

"I understand. I'm not sure what his purpose was in coming to provoke us, but I trust you. If you really have something to tell me, I believe you would tell me without reservation because that's the kind of person I know you to be," Sean reassured Abigail, not wanting to delve deeper.

Upon hearing his words, Abigail felt not only touched but also guilty.

"Sean..." She opened her mouth, wanting to tell him about Luna's situation.

"You just got back. Let's enjoy our dinner first. I won't pay much attention to what he said," Sean reassured Abigail.

The words Abigail wanted to say suddenly got stuck in her throat. For the first time, she realized that she wasn't as rational as she thought. When facing Sean, she was under a spell, almost revealing the confidential information.

"You're right. Let's enjoy the meal first," Abigail lowered her gaze.

Her current anxiety stemmed from her own incompetence. She couldn't protect Luna, nor could she completely free Sean from these dangerous situations. Because of her revealed background, the people around her were involved with Vincent and the interests behind him. Luna ended up in her current situation, and Sean and Xavien almost lost their lives in the Golden Triangle...

But she was being protected by everyone, without a scratch. Is it truly impossible for me to resist the power wielded by Vincent?

Abigail was skeptical of that.

After the meal, they returned to the car. Abigail engaged in her usual conversation with Sean.

Upon arriving at the Pearson Residence, she immediately called Ronaldo.

...

In the guest room, Sean held his phone, his emotions tangled in conflicting feelings.

He professed his belief in Abigail, yet jealousy lingered, compelling him to seek answers about what happened between Simond and Abigail in Adral.

Sean tossed his phone aside, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery beyond the window.

In a moment of silence, he took a deep breath and said, "We can't go back to how things were before."

They had an intimate relationship for six months, during which they understood each other's habits. Abigail had expressed her commitment to marriage.

Trust was the cornerstone of a successful marriage.

As Sean gradually calmed down, he picked up his phone once more and messaged Abigail.

'Are you asleep? I can't sleep.'

At the same time, Abigail was in a conversation with Ronaldo. Upon receiving Sean's message, she interrupted Ronaldo, saying, "Hold on, I need to reply to a message."

'No, I'm still awake. I'm dealing with some work matters. If I finish and you're still awake, I'll come find you.'

'It's okay. You go ahead and handle it. Finish up and get some rest. I'll do something else.'

After responding to the message, Abigail resumed her conversation with Ronaldo.

"Can Simond investigate? Or is there anything I can do to look into Luna's situation?" Abigail asked Ronaldo earnestly. "If you can help me, I am willing to provide any benefits you desire."

 

 

 

 

Chapter 674 Do Not Harm The Lonely

After taking a moment to think, Ronaldo turned to Abigail and said, "Ms. Quinn, if you truly want me to guide you in the right direction, then listen to me. Simond is the most suitable person for this. Let him handle the risks, and you just need to take care of your friend and her child."

"But how can I trust Simond if you don't tell me who he really is?" Abigail said in a low voice.

Ronaldo sighed, "I'm telling you, but you don't believe me. Rest assured, Simond's interest lies in cooperation, not driven by financial motives or desires. Moreover, among all the people in Adral, it was only you who rescued him. That's destiny."

"What destiny? You know about my relationship with Sean; it's not appropriate to say such things," Abigail retorted.

Ronaldo chuckled and then became serious. "Simond has a special identity; I can't reveal it. Maybe you have a negative impression of him, but there won't be any problems if you work with him; I can guarantee that."

After Abigail responded, she hung up the phone.

She leaned back in her chair and brushed her hair back. As she looked at the WhatsApp friend request from Simond on her phone, she became lost in thought.

After much contemplation, she decided to ignore Simond's friend request.

She believed there would always be another way.

The next morning, Abigail was surprised to see Josh coming downstairs for breakfast.

Josh noticed Abigail and nodded slightly. "Morning."

"Morning." Abigail sat next to him, observing his gaunt appearance, and then said, "You've really let yourself go."

Josh, holding a bowl of soup, subconsciously looked at his wrist.

His wrist bones were protruding, very noticeable.

"I know I shouldn't be like this, but I can't control my emotions," Josh sighed, explaining to Abigail.

"Forget about the past. There are so many good women out there; it's not worth it," Abigail picked up a spoon and took a sip of soup, "By the way, after you broke up, did she ever contact you privately?"

"I don't remember," Josh replied. When they broke up a few months ago, he drank heavily almost every day, getting drunk to the point of losing control.

He often dreamt about her—dreaming about the things they had done in bed, in the car, and in various other places. It felt like a ridiculous dream.

Abigail didn't ask any further upon hearing his answer.

In his current state, there was no point in asking.

Sean came downstairs and sat next to Abigail. He took a sip of water and asked her, "Are we going back to Pendorf today?"

"Um... well," Abigail had forgotten about it and made plans to meet with Daniel today.

"You can't go?" Sean raised an eyebrow and asked.

Abigail touched her nose and said, "I was busy last night, and my brain wasn't functioning well. I forgot about today's plan and promised to meet a client."

"Then let's meet the client first." Sean had no choice but to go along with her.

Dealing with family members was straightforward. But if a client withdrew, the entire business was at risk.

"I'll finish the meeting in the morning, and we can go back in the afternoon!" Abigail blinked her eyes and said to Sean.

Seeing her rare liveliness, Sean nodded and said, "Okay, great. I can also take care of some company matters."

Before Abigail could fully smile, she saw Josh looking at the two of them with a slightly displeased expression.

"Alright, let's not flaunt our happiness and spare the feelings of the single people." Sean looked at Josh, still smiling.

Josh felt a pang in his heart. They weren't even flaunting their happiness, but he still felt lonely.

"I'm full. I'll go to the office first." Josh stood up.

Abigail also got up and walked with him to the door.

"What else do you want to say?" Josh asked Abigail while changing his shoes.

"Josh," Abigail called out softly.

Josh was taken aback. He turned to Abigail and felt his heart melt. "Hmm, what's going on?"

His voice quivered slightly.

Abigail used to address him coldly. This was the first time she genuinely called out to him.

"Please don't hold any grudges against Luna. Take care of yourself. Maybe she's dealing with some mental health issues and is receiving treatment somewhere out of your sight," Abigail whispered to Josh, being careful not to let her words reach Sean's ears.

"Alright..." Josh replied absentmindedly.

"Josh, you need to prioritize your well-being. Love is not essential for survival. Don't allow others to mistreat you, okay?" Abigail continued.

Josh nodded. "Okay, I understand."

Abigail watched him leave and then frowned as she turned back to the living room.

Sean looked at her and said, "Josh's situation should be much better now. He's also trying to move on. Soon, he should be able to completely overcome it."

"Yeah, I know." Abigail nodded. She couldn't help but feel sorry for Luna; they were deeply in love before.

During that time, Luna was filled with happiness, treasuring every moment with Josh.

The reason Josh struggled to move on for so long was likely because he truly understood Luna's past affection for him.

He comprehended the depth of her love, which made it even more painful and difficult to accept when she eventually let go.

"Speaking of Luna, it's quite strange that she has completely disappeared. As your friend, her absence is peculiar. Don't you think so?" Sean added.

 

Chapter 675 They Deserve It

Abigail couldn't help but question the authenticity of his words despite seeing sincerity in his eyes as he spoke.

"I've also been in touch with her. I believe she might be dealing with some mental issues. I advised her to take some time off," Abigail shared, then proceeded to take a few sips of her soup.

Sean looked at her and nodded after a moment.

A sense of guilt washed over Abigail. Sean wasn't oblivious to it, but he restrained himself from overthinking.

Perhaps Luna has genuine reasons that are difficult to share, prompting her to end her relationship with Josh?

After breakfast, Abigail arranged to meet Daniel at a café.

Arriving early, she decided to order a cup of coffee while waiting for Daniel.

As she looked up after placing the order, she noticed Daniel and Simond walking in, engaged in lively conversation.

Abigail unconsciously frowned. Does Daniel know Simond?

"Miss Quinn," Daniel greeted as he saw her.

Simond approached with a smile, his eyes sweeping over Abigail's outfit from head to toe, exuding a sense of ease. "Miss Quinn, it's a pleasure to see you."

Abigail nodded, maintaining her distance.

They took their seats as Daniel scanned the QR code for the menu on his phone. "Miss Quinn, are you seeking me out to discuss a new job?"

Originally, Abigail intended to use Daniel's connections to meet a retired special forces soldier. With Simond present, she hesitated, though Luna's matter couldn't be delayed.

"I heard you have a good relationship with a retired special forces soldier. I wanted to ask if you could introduce us," Abigail said, deciding to be direct.

Daniel put away his phone. A hint of indifference in his eyes as he asked, "What's the reason? What's in it for me?"

"I'll agree to your request as long as it's something within my capabilities." Abigail leaned back and looked at Daniel.

He smirked, saying, "You should know what I want. I'm afraid you won't be willing to give it to me. After all, what you have now has no rivals in the fashion industry."

"Whether I'm willing or not depends on the capabilities of the special forces soldier you're referring to. If he can help me get what I want, there's even a possibility of you obtaining a share in L.Moon, not to mention the provision of a complete size chart for the entire women's clothing line," Abigail responded.

For her, there was no personal gain that could outweigh the importance of Luna and Sean's safety.

She contemplated that even if it meant depleting all her wealth, she would stand against Vincent and the clandestine figure behind him until the end.

Vincent had forced her and her parents into exile for over two decades, and he had also inflicted harm upon Luna and Sean. It was a blood feud.

"Is it worth it?" Simond suddenly inquired.

"You wouldn't know because you haven't experienced it. My friends, my family, and the person I love— they have all been ruined by them. Do you think it's worth it?" Abigail responded, her eyes filled with resentment.

Daniel signaled Simond with his eyes.

Simond crossed his arms and smiled. "Just a special forces soldier can't be of much help. You're willing to sacrifice these benefits to save your friends, but unfortunately, his special forces friends lack the ability to assist you."

"How do you know if you don't try?" Abigail countered.

"Add my contact number. I have a mercenary team. I am also investigating the people behind Luna. We can work together. You can extract what I need from Luna, and I will uncover the mastermind behind her," Simond said calmly.

"How can I trust you?" Abigail, lacking information about Simond, found it challenging to believe him.

"This fraud case involves a diverse group of individuals, including wealthy Eswadians and some immigrants living abroad. With just the three of you, Sean and the Pearsons, it will be challenging to handle. You are all ordinary business people with strong moral values, while they are not. Using involvement with dark forces abroad as an excuse is simply a cover-up; do you understand?" Simond explained helplessly.

Abigail took out her phone and saved Simond's contact number.

"If your adversaries are similar to you, then both you and Sean have already achieved something remarkable, especially Sean. He was able to uncover and expose this matter, something most

people would not dare to do," Simond told Abigail.

When the coffee arrived, Abigail waited for the waiter to leave before furrowing her brow and asking, "Do you have a plan?"

"The plan is for you to find Luna. Only Luna has truly been in contact with the individuals behind her. The roots of this matter all start with her," Simond furrowed his brow.

Abigail licked her lips and pondered with a furrowed brow. "I will go to Saraville in a few days to find her."

"Remember, just act naturally," Simond reminded.

Abigail nodded slightly. "But I don't quite understand. If their goal is to launder their money, does dealing with Luna make any difference?"

"So, here is the peculiar part—why would they target Luna? If their intention was truly to handle her, why did they make her have a child? Or is it possible that Luna managed to escape their control during her time in Adral?" Simond also found it strange.

Abigail pondered for a moment.

"If you want to approach Luna, you will have to gradually get closer to her. Perhaps then you will have a chance to uncover the true intentions of the mastermind behind the scenes," said Simond, leisurely sipping his coffee.

 

 

Chapter 676 She Is Strange

Daniel couldn't help but cough.

The topic they were discussing was beyond his comprehension, and he felt like an outsider.

"Think carefully about the benefits you want from me, and let me know," Abigail said, looking at Daniel.

"No, I'm not taking advantage of the situation," Daniel said. "I just want to discuss what happened to you. Can't you stay out of it? Dealing with fraudsters is the job of the police. It's not something you should be doing."

"The police are also investigating, but I can't delay my friend's situation," Abigail explained to him.

Daniel sighed, "I'm just an ordinary businessman. I'm really concerned about our collaboration in this situation."

After all, he had partnered with Abigail for the sake of profit. If anything happened to Abigail, L.Moon, Fairy Meadow, and all the companies that collaborated with her would be affected.

"Don't worry, if something happens, I will handle it," Abigail reassured Daniel.

Over the past year and a half, she had also trained two capable assistants who could make independent decisions for many things in the company.

"You may have everything arranged, yet it's your enchanting designs that captivate the hearts of all in L. Moon and Fairy Meadow. We, the ones benefiting from your designs, get to enjoy the best things. Should an unfortunate event befall you, rendering you unable to continue crafting these masterpieces, we would be left bereft of the benefits your designs bring," Daniel said, taking a sip of coffee and continuing, "Miss Quinn, there are a thousand words I want to say, but you have to take care of yourself."

Abigail looked at him and nodded gently after a moment. "I will be careful."

"Don't worry, I don't have anything to do here. If she goes to Saraville, I'll just follow. It'll be fine if I don't show up," Simond shrugged indifferently.

At this point, Abigail had no choice but to cooperate with Simond.

She was filled with inner conflict. Would Sean be angry if he were to find out?

After leaving the cafe, Abigail went straight back to the Pearson Residence by car.

Scarlett was making snacks at home and was somewhat surprised to see Abigail return, looking exhausted. "Oh, why did you come back so early?"

"Yeah, the matter is settled. Is Sean still here?" Abigail sat on the couch and absentmindedly turned on the TV.

"He's not here. He said he had something to do and left." Scarlett brought a small plate of cake and placed it in front of Abigail. "Try it. Let me know if it's delicious."

Abigail took a bite and nodded. "Hmm, it's pretty good. The sweetness is just right. It's very tasty."

She had a particular fondness for the delicate combination of cream and white chocolate.

Scarlett smiled brightly. "As long as you like it."

Abigail messaged Sean while having dessert.

At that moment, Sean was at L.Moon.

When the general manager, Garrett, heard that Sean was looking for Abigail, he reminded him, "Miss Quinn didn't come to the office today. She told us that she won't be coming for a while."

Sean, holding his coffee, couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you here to discuss business with someone?"

"We don't have any business at the moment. Why don't you give her a call?" Garrett didn't fully understand Sean and Abigail's relationship; after all, Sean returned just as Abigail went to Adral.

"It's okay. Here, you can have some coffee," Sean handed Garrett the coffee.

"Thank you." Garrett accepted it immediately.

Sean sighed with a hint of melancholy as he left the L.Moon office building.

Ever since he returned to Capitalis, Abigail had been acting strangely.

He had been trying to convince himself. However, with these strange occurrences happening more frequently, Sean couldn't help but become concerned. What exactly is happening?

Back in his car, Sean noticed the message Abigail had sent him and promptly replied.

"I'll be back soon. I didn't realize you were out discussing business, so I went to your office to bring you your favorite coffee."

"Yeah, I was out discussing business. But it didn't go well."

Abigail's response seemed intentional, as if she was trying to justify herself, afraid that he would inquire about her company's business.

Holding his phone, Sean remained silent for a moment before turning to Xavien beside him and saying, "Find out why Abigail went to Adral."

He couldn't bear not knowing anything anymore.

"Understood," Xavien replied, but a sense of unease began to creep into his heart. Why is there a sudden need to investigate Ms. Quinn? Could there be a rift in their relationship?

Sean let out a silent sigh as he confided in Xavien, "Lately, she's been acting more and more strangely. She met Simond in Adral. But if it was just a meeting, I wouldn't mind. I just feel like Simond treats her differently."

"The return of the Simpson Family from abroad is also quite peculiar. I couldn't find any information about what they do overseas." Xavien's tone was filled with confusion. Normally, if they had offended a powerful entity, they would at least know how and why they had offended them. But there was no information about any of that.

"I also checked the Simpson Family's financial reports, and there were no issues. If their finances are fine, then what is preventing them from resisting the criminal forces?" Xavien continued.

Sean leaned back in his seat, his brow furrowed. "So, you're suggesting that he likely approached Abigail from the beginning."

Xavien was about to speak when Sean interrupted, "Did you investigate the website's transactions? Since money is involved, you better make sure to look into it quickly!"

 

 

 

Chapter 677 Cooking For You

Xavien furrowed his brow as he responded, "I've been investigating, but it seems that the money is being paid to the streamers from regular accounts. Additionally, these streamers are playing games with those on the leaderboard, who have also spent millions in the game."

Certain individuals had discretionary income and chose to invest it in games to enhance their in- game capabilities. This represented their unique approach to gaming.

Sean narrowed his eyes, leaning back in his car seat. He picked up his work tablet, gathered some financial reports from various websites, and handed them to Xavien.

"Except for the website Ms. Quinn signed with, all other websites of this kind are losing money." After Xavien finished reading, he was greatly astonished by the results.

"What does this tell us? It tells us that running such websites is not profitable. Even websites invested in by large corporations went bankrupt last year. So why is this one so successful?" Sean always had a feeling that something was amiss with this financial report. He couldn't afford to have any issues with his business ventures, as it would also have personal implications for him.

Furthermore, Abigail was also signed with this website. If there were any major problems in the future, Abigail would be affected as well.

"I'll investigate it thoroughly!" Xavien declared.

"Do you need guidance in your investigation?" Sean asked coldly, looking at him.

Xavien licked his lips and replied, "This is my first time dealing with this kind of business. I really don't know where to start."

After all, online tipping was not his area of expertise. If there were issues with a solid business, he could spot them immediately. However, besides the discrepancy in cash flow compared to other

websites, he couldn't find any problems within his investigative scope. This left Xavien feeling like there was nothing else to investigate.

"Consult someone who specializes in the internet. Don't waste your time trying to figure it out on your own," Sean directed him.

It was normal for Xavien to not find anything. This was their first time dealing with internet-related matters. If it weren't for Sean's unusually keen sense of abnormal cash flow, they wouldn't have discovered the issue with the website they had invested in.

Back at the Pearson Residence, Sean saw Abigail sitting in the living room watching TV. He had a ton of questions he wanted to ask her. However, in the end, he held back.

He was well aware that Abigail would tell him when she was ready.

Sean sat down next to Abigail, glancing at the TV. "Are you sure you can return this afternoon?"

"Yes, I can." Abigail nodded immediately. Then, she asked as she looked at Sean's hand, "You said you were going to buy my favorite coffee. Where is it?"

"Why do you need coffee after finishing all your tasks? Now that you're back, maintain a good routine and drink less coffee," Sean said seriously, pinching her hand.

Abigail purposely looked at him unhappily and replied, "But I want to drink something."

"Do you want some freshly squeezed juice?" Sean suggested, rolling up his sleeves.

Abigail leaned back on the couch, losing interest in watching TV. She felt comfortable with Sean pinching her hand, so she squinted her eyes and said, "Can you cook tonight when we get home? I miss Alice's cooking."

"Do you crave Alice's cooking, even though you can't remember any of it?" Sean chuckled. "Alright, I'll take charge of the kitchen tonight."

Abigail swallowed and said, "I can't wait."

"Do you want me to show off my skills at lunch?" Sean moved closer to her.

Abigail looked at him and replied, "No, you were found to be unwell because you were too tired before. You need to take good care of your health now. Even if you seem to have recovered after two years, you can't start working hard as soon as you feel better."

Sean nodded and said, "Alright. I'm very happy that you know how to take care of me."

After having lunch, Abigail and Sean embarked on their journey back to Pendorf.

Upon their arrival in Pendorf, Abigail caught sight of Analise, whom she hadn't seen in a long time. As Analise noticed her presence, she narrowed her eyes and observed Abigail intently.

"I'm Abigail..." Abigail stood by the door, feeling somewhat helpless.

"Oh, Abigail, you've changed so much! Just like Sean. When he returned, I couldn't recognize him. I thought he was someone else!" Analise approached Abigail, holding her hand and scrutinizing her from head to toe. "You truly are different. They mentioned you were playing outside, but I suspect you were actually recovering."

Abigail acknowledged Analise's words as not entirely incorrect. However, as she examined Analise's hair, she couldn't help but notice the more pronounced signs of aging.

"I'm getting old, and my eyes aren't as sharp as they used to be." Analise wiped her eyes with her hand, appearing somewhat lonely. "When are you planning to get married and have children... I'm afraid I won't be able to hold on until then."

Abigail held Analise's hand and smiled. "You always think like this. Shall I take you to the hospital tomorrow?"

"She has been going all this time," Lina informed Abigail as she emerged from the house.

"What's wrong?" Abigail looked at Lina, feeling uneasy.

Lina was about to speak when Analise interrupted her, "They just got back. What are you blabbering about?"

"I'm not blabbering. What's the point of hiding it? If you're unwell, you should go to the hospital. There's no shame in it. If you want to spend more time with them, you need to take care of your health. You never listen to advice!" Lina didn't mince her words with Analise.

Abigail took a deep breath and gazed at Analise. "If you have any problems, you must tell me. I won't get angry. Why do you always avoid going to the hospital?"

 

 

Chapter 678 Let Bygones Be Bygones

Reprimanded by Abigail, Analise immediately let go of her hand and turned to Sean. "Why aren't you saying anything, Sean?"

"I think Abigail is right. You should come with us to the hospital tomorrow to see what's going on. What do you think?" Sean approached Analise, coaxing her in a gentle tone.

"Well, I'll listen to you guys then. After all, it would make you unhappy if I don't." After saying this, Analise turned around and walked away.

Abigail instructed Sean to follow her inside.

When it was just her and Lina, Abigail took a box out of her bag and handed it to her.

"What's this?" Lina was a bit surprised. She had always known that Abigail didn't like her. It had been a long time since they last saw each other.

Now, upon her return, Abigail had shed her cold exterior like a polished jade stone. However, she still seemed somewhat unapproachable.

"It's a gift. I bought it out of state. It's very pretty. Open it and try it on," Abigail said with a gentle smile on her face.

Upon seeing her genuine smile, Lina quickly accepted the gift. However, she didn't open it. Instead, she looked at the box and asked nervously, "Are you still angry with me?"

"That's all in the past. We're all growing up, aren't we? Even though we're not young anymore, sometimes we're allowed to grow and learn again," Abigail said with a smile.

Lina held onto the box tightly. After a while, she said, "Abigail, I'm really sorry for what I did in the past. I was so ignorant. I had prejudices against you from the start and hurt you. I was really cruel

back then."

"It's all in the past. Sean has been very kind to me these past two years. I think it can make up for your past unfriendliness toward me." Abigail said softly. Her forgiveness of Lina was entirely due to Sean's efforts to protect the ones she loved.

"Open it and take a look." Abigail moved a bit closer to her, urging her.

Blushing with embarrassment, Lina clumsily opened the box. Upon seeing the jade bracelet with gold inlay inside, she was immediately captivated. "This must be expensive, right?"

"Not at all. Sean and I earn enough money to make sure you guys can live comfortably and lack nothing, right?" Abigail picked up the bracelet and put it on her.

After Lina put on the bracelet and held it up to the light, her face lit up with joy. "It looks really good!"

Having seen many fine things in her life, she immediately recognized the bracelet as top-quality jade.

"Let's go. Sean is cooking tonight. He's learned some really good culinary skills. I guarantee you'll like it." Abigail took Lina's hand and spoke to her gently.

Lina grabbed Abigail's hand and pulled her aside, whispering, "Analise's eyes have been getting worse lately. She went to the hospital for a check-up, and the doctor said her diabetes wasn't under control. She's also a bit of a glutton... What I mean is, if it's not working out, you can take her abroad for treatment. We have Sean here with us."

Abigail nodded. "Thank you for telling me this."

"I've been keeping an eye on her blood sugar since she arrived. It was under control before, but suddenly, there was a problem. When we took her to the doctor, the doctor only told her the results

and didn't tell me or your grandpa." Lina's care for Analise was also a way to make up for her past treatment of Abigail.

"Alright, I'll take her to the hospital for a check-up myself tomorrow." Abigail was well aware that Analise's condition had been well managed up to this point, and she had been trying very hard.

But diabetes was incurable.

She had previously refused to go to the hospital for insulin injections in order to save money, and it had nearly cost her eyesight.

Even with good control, the disease could resurface at any time.

Upon returning home, Abigail presented Analise with a jade pendant, carefully placing it around her neck. It was an item she had specifically purchased and entrusted Ronaldo with for the consecration.

Even if it only provided psychological comfort, it still held value.

"Why did you buy this? Do you have excess money to spend?" Analise said, although she was actually beaming with joy.

People of all ages would be delighted to receive gifts from their loved ones.

Abigail gently stroked the pendant and remarked, "Grandma, don't you believe in this the most? Are you familiar with the renowned God statue in Eastbay? I arranged for someone to place this pendant under the statue for a month, praying for your good health."

Upon hearing this, Analise stopped complaining. She touched the pendant and smiled happily. "I heard the God statue in Eastbay is a real deity based on a true story. You have good taste."

"Abigail, can you come help me in the kitchen?" Sean suddenly called out.

"You all can rest today. Leave the kitchen to Sean and me." Abigail immediately stood up.

This was the family scene she had always hoped for. And now, it had finally become a reality.

As Abigail entered the kitchen, she observed Sean bustling about. At that moment, an idea formed in her mind—she longed to share a lifetime of happiness with Sean.

But before that, she had to deal with Luna's situation.

She didn't want Sean to take any more risks; she had almost lost him once, and she couldn't afford to lose him again.

Sean had been preparing the ingredients for a long time. He had learned from Alice and was very particular about the materials.

"I obtained a diabetes treatment recipe from Alice. Whether it works or not, let's give it to Grandma first. What do you think?" Sean asked Abigail while skillfully slicing salmon.

 

 

Chapter 679 Failure Always Happens In Life

Abigail watched Sean's swift movements, her eyes widening as she reminded him, "Don't look at me. Look at the knife in your hand. Aren't you afraid of losing your fingers?"

"Don't underestimate me," Sean replied confidently. "After you returned to Capitalis, I spent a year and a half learning from Alice."

Abigail approached him and earnestly said, "Only those who are arrogant make mistakes. I know you're a quick learner, but can you guarantee that accidents won't happen?"

Hearing her words, Sean found Abigail's point reasonable and nodded. "I'll keep that in mind, honey," he said tentatively, but to his surprise, Abigail didn't refute him.

In that split second, his heart filled with awe. He felt that their remarriage was just around the corner, as her lack of refutation meant acceptance.

The duo busied themselves in the kitchen for about three hours. When Sean brought out the dishes, Analise and Lina couldn't help but salivate.

"Let's forget about that old man and let him play poker as much as he wants. Let's not let him eat these delicacies," Lina discussed with Analise.

"We can't finish all of this, though," Analise said, already grabbing some meat from the pot.

"Can you wait? They still haven't said anything. Put it down!" Lina immediately knocked the meat off her cutlery.

Hearing her words, Analise felt tortured. It would be a pity if she couldn't eat such delicious food.

"You can eat too, Grandma. Call Grandpa and tell him to come home for dinner," Abigail reminded from the kitchen door.

"You go. I'll have a taste first," Analise immediately ordered Lina. Compared to them, Analise hadn't eaten anything good for a long time since she had to be very strict about her diet due to diabetes.

Immediately, Lina went to make the call.

The kitchen was filled with steam. Abigail and Sean were sweating profusely as they worked nonstop.

As soon as Colby returned, he laughed and bragged to Lina and Analise. "I won a thousand dollars today. I'm on a roll!"

Old people played poker for fun, not for money. Thus, even if they lost the game all day, they only lost about a thousand dollars.

"Why didn't you say anything when you kept losing?" Lina stood at the door and handed him his slippers. Her tone was filled with disdain.

"Try saying something nice, will you? If winning was the norm, there wouldn't be so many failures in life, and success would be within easy reach," Colby said. Suddenly, he sniffed and asked, "What's that smell? Did you hire a new chef? It smells so good!"

"Sean and Abigail are back. They're in the kitchen," Lina's face lit up as soon as she mentioned them.

On the other hand, Abigail heard Colby's words from the kitchen. She couldn't help but whisper to Sean, "Grandpa has gained some life insights from playing poker. Although that's great, can he keep playing like this?"

"They don't play poker for money, so I don't care. I wouldn't allow it if it were a large sum of money," Sean replied softly. "He's right. Failure always happens in life, and success only comes once or twice."

Listening to his words, Abigail thought about Colby's winnings of a thousand dollars. For them, a thousand dollars was just a drop in the bucket. Thus, it was simply for entertainment.

While the others had already started eating, Abigail and Sean were still busy in the kitchen.

"Come out and eat. You don't need to prepare so much," Lina called from the dining room.

"Coming!" Sean said, lifting a pot of soup with a heat-resistant cloth and placing it on a heat- resistant mat.

When he lifted the lid, Abigail leaned in to take a sniff, but he quickly placed his hand on her forehead to prevent her from getting too close. "The steam might burn you."

"Oh." Abigail straightened up and wrinkled her nose.

The kitchen was filled with various aromas, making it difficult for her to distinguish the scent of his soup.

"Let's go," Sean carried the soup out.

Abigail followed him.

Colby noticed the two of them emerging from the kitchen. When he saw Abigail, he looked at her in surprise. "Abigail has matured significantly. She now resembles a finely crafted jade. That's wonderful. An adult should possess composure and gentleness. It indicates that your heart has been tempered."

Upon hearing his words, Abigail couldn't help but smile. "Is that so? Well then, do you prefer the old me or the current me?"

"To me, you are the best regardless," Colby sincerely replied. He held different opinions about Abigail during each phase of her life.

Meanwhile, Sean placed the soup in the center of the table. He then sat down and handed a heat- resistant cloth to a nearby maid. "Grandpa, tell us about the changes she went through in different stages."

Abigail sat beside him and playfully tapped him. "Why are you talking about me?"

"I'm curious," Sean glanced at her. "I haven't fully understood who you were before, and I want to know what you were like back then."

Colby picked up a perfectly cooked piece of lamb that emitted a delightful aroma. As he savored the delicious food, he reminisced about the past. After deep contemplation, he said, "She was so innocent. She would do anything for the sake of love. She married you without even understanding the concept of marriage. Back then, she had the courage to risk everything for love."

 

Chapter 680 The Courage To Love Someone

Upon hearing Colby's words, Abigail felt a twinge of embarrassment. However, that was indeed how she felt at that time. She longed for love and yearned to marry Sean. Due to her deep infatuation, she worked hard to win his hand in marriage. However, she soon experienced the bitter consequences of being infatuated with love.

Hearing this, Sean subconsciously glanced at Abigail, and a wave of guilt surged within him.

No matter what, the past three years had become a permanent source of regret for him. No matter how much he tried to make up for it, the fact that Abigail had gone through a challenging time during those three years was undeniable. If he truly didn't love her, she might never trust men or believe in marriage again. She might even choose to live alone.

"But that's how life is. Without encountering mistakes, you won't have a smooth journey in the future," Colby comforted Sean. "The most valuable thing for a man is acknowledging his past mistakes and making amends. Women are different from us."

"How are we different?" Lina muttered.

"If you don't understand at your age, it's useless for me to explain," Colby replied.

Some things were better left unsaid. To be honest, married women only had one wish, and that was for their husbands to love them. This was also the reason why many women struggled in marriage and found it difficult to get a divorce. After all, when the man who made a mistake said they were wrong and would never do it again, most women would still choose to stay with him after much deliberation.

"Hmph!" Lina didn't want to argue with him. She thought for a while before deliberately rolling up her sleeves, revealing her jade bracelet. Then, she intentionally grabbed the food in front of Colby to catch his attention.

The bracelet was so eye-catching that Colby immediately noticed it.

"This bracelet is lovely. Where did you buy it?" he asked.

Lina proudly showed it off and replied, "Abigail bought it for me. Both Analise and I have one."

"Really? Abigail has good taste. The jade is of excellent quality, and the design is perfect. It must have been expensive." Colby never felt jealous about these matters. He was happy that Abigail and Lina's misunderstandings were now resolved.

"It's not that expensive," Abigail replied.

The family chatted while eating. Soon, it was 9 p.m.

After Abigail finished eating, she received a call from Simond. She quietly walked to the yard and answered his call.

"I have to stay with the elderly for a few days. I'll let you know when it's time to go to Saraville," Abigail said as she sat in the yard.

Simond replied, "You better hurry. If they target Luna, the longer you delay, the more they can manipulate the situation."

Abigail didn't immediately respond as she fell into deep thought.

Noticing her silence, Simond couldn't help but ask, "Why aren't you saying anything?"

"Sean almost lost his life because of this matter. Simond, if you work with me, I might sacrifice you for my own sake. I can be very selfish at times, especially when it comes to the people I love." Abigail had pondered these words for a long time. She chose to be clear with Simond today, hoping that he could think it through and give him a chance to back out of this.

After hearing what she had to say, Simond chuckled. "Why can't I be the one who sacrifices you? While you can sacrifice me for love and friendship, I can also do it for my own benefit. Though, it's good to be clear about it. That way, I won't feel guilty when I sacrifice you."

Abigail smiled slightly and said, "Okay. I'll rely on you to keep it a secret."

Sean had done so much for her, and she hoped he would be alright. Thus, she could only count on herself and Simond to save Luna.

After a while, Abigail ended the phone call. As she stood up and turned around, she noticed Sean standing nearby. Catching his gaze, Abigail couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt.

Approaching him, she locked eyes with Sean and asked, "Why aren't you resting?"

"It's still early," Sean replied. His happiness today had been slightly dampened by the fact that Abigail had sneaked out to make a call. He had noticed that she would avoid him whenever she made calls or sent messages. He couldn't understand why and wondered if it was because he hadn't yet done enough to earn her complete trust.

"It's just work-related," Abigail instinctively explained.

Sean would have preferred if she hadn't explained at all. After all, the more she explained, the guiltier she seemed.

Nevertheless, Sean nodded and inquired, "Is it taken care of?"

"Yes." Just as Abigail was about to put her phone away, it beeped, indicating a new message.

Feeling slightly awkward, Abigail looked at Sean and said, "Let me check."

Stepping back, Sean replied, "Go ahead."

Observing his actions, Abigail momentarily found herself at a loss for words. She retrieved her phone and saw a message from Ronaldo.

'The child is in critical condition. I've taken him to the hospital, but they say his condition is rare. What should we do?'

'What exactly happened?'

As Abigail sent the message, her expression turned serious.

Meanwhile, Sean felt a tightness in his chest as he witnessed her change in demeanor.