“Nothing,” Abigail replied-she certainly thought nothing of it.
One would always have many encounters in life, but not all are made to last.
Composing herself, she called Ricky, but his phone was turned off.
He was in bad shape the last time she saw him and she wondered what happened to him after.
It was a little worrying.
“Mom, I think I’ll check how things are at spencer Mansion-“
“You’re supposed to be resting after labor,” Sheryl said sternly, not about to let her leave. “You didn’t do so the last time, did you?You’ll develop an underlying condition if you don’t make a proper recovery, and you’ll suffer when you’re older.”
Before Abigail could argue, she sighed. “You just want to check on Ricky, don’t you? I’ll go over to take a look.”
Abigail leaned into her arms like a spoiled kid then. “Thanks, Mom.”
“Oh, you.” Sheryl snorted with a ‘what-am-l-going-to-do-with-you’ look.
“Oh, right. Did Lulu ever contact you?”
Sheryl’s scowled right then. “Why so many questions? It’s been less than a day since you came home, so just calm yourself and rest, alright?”
Seeing that Abigail was now silent, Sheryl finally got to her feet. “Alright, I’m leaving now.”
“Bring him here if you see him,” Abigail said-she had more questions about Lulu, and Ricky might have found her by now.
“Sure thing,” Sheryl said, and was just about to reach the door when Debbie the secretary arrived with a bag, looking like she was going to ring the doorbell.
Seeing that it was Sheryl, Debbie quickly said, “Mr. Althoff told me to bring these.”
Sheryl smiled. “Come on in!”
Debbie entered, and when Abigail saw it, her smile from playing with Tommy faded right then.
“Are you feeling better?” Debbie asked in concem, but Abigail simply stared at her without responding.
“Mr. Althoff had me transfer back since they’re understaffed over here,” Debbie explained.
Abigail would have believed her, too-if Diarmuid had not told her before that James was the one who transferred Debbie back to Zidonia!
If Abigail did, she might even have questioned Diarmuid later on why he would bring Debbie back, and perhaps cause a misunderstanding.
In that sense, Debbie was certainly cunning!
Debbie placed everything she brought on the table, saying, “Mr. Althoff asked me to buy these.”
Abigail glanced at it and said, “I see.”
“Take your time and get some proper rest,” Debbie said and turned to leave.
However, just as she reached the door, she stopped and turned again to look at Abigail. “It seems that all you do is bother Mr. Althoff.”
“And what about it?” Abigail coolly retorted.
“I’m positive that I’m so much more competent than you at work, just as I would make for a better partner in a relationship. At the very least, I won’t mess up time and time again, making Mr. Althoff worry constantly.”
lreen glared at Debbie darkly-Debbie was definitely exceptional because she managed to stay with Diarmuid for so long.
And having made her return now, she was much more direct with Abigail.
Abigail thought that it was a good thing-it would at least spare the need for pretext, and she would not have to worry constantly about suddenly finding a dagger on her back.
“I’ll play my role in helping Mr. Althoff at his work. At least I would ease his stress at work.”
Debbie puffed her chest and reared her head, looking a lot less like a secretary as she declared that she would no longer play second fiddle.
Abigail would not have held this against her, but it was obvious now that Debbie was not going to submit this time.
Nonetheless, she calmly told Debbie. “I’ll tell Diarmuid to give you a raise, don’t worry.”
Debbie was left scowling, as if her declaration was just to ask for money.
Abigail was clearly mocking her!
“Mr. Althoff only saves the best for me,” she growled.
“Oh, he’s quite nice.”
“Of course,” Debbie said proudly.
“You brought what he asked for. You can go now,” Abigail snapped, not willing to waste her breath with Debbie.
Debbie understood that Abigail wanted her gone, and she smiled. “I won’t impose for now, then, but I’ll be back if Mr. Althoff asks again.”
With that, Debbie turned and headed out the door, while Abigail was left scowling.
Debbie’s words left her ill at ease and wary.
No longer content with her unrequited love, she had declared war on Abigail herself?
“Doggy,” Tommy suddenly said, tugging at Abigail’s hand.
Abigail’s gaze turned tender as she turned back to her child and she asked mildly, “You want a doggy, right?”
As Tommy nodded, Abigail called out, “Mrs. Watson?”
Mrs. Watson arrived quickly, “Yes, ma’am?”
“Ask the chauffeur to buy a small-sized dog for Tommy. Make sure it’s mild- natured, healthy, and suitable as a pet.”
“Okay,” Mrs. Watson said, and stepped out of the house.
When she found the chauffeur, she quickly said, “Jimmy, go buy a dog-”
Debbie had not left, and she overheard them.
Turning toward Mrs. Watson, she asked, “Who wants a dog?”
“It’s Mrs. Althoff,” Mrs. Watson replied.
“You can leave that to me. You might get the wrong one if you don’t know which breed to get.”
Mrs. Watson thought that Debbie had always been efficient and diligent, and she thus agreed to it. “Thank you.”
Debbie smiled and turned to leave, her smile fading as soon as she turned away, replaced by an icy demeanor.
Then, remembering something else, she turned and called out to Mrs. Watson. “Wait.”
“Is there something else?” Mrs. Watson asked.
Debbie walked up to Mrs. Watson and said quietly, “Don’t tell anyone that I’m the one who bought the dog.”
Mrs. Watson was puzzled. “Why? Does that include Mrs. Althoff?”
Debbie nodded. “Yes. It’s no big deal-there’s no need to tell anyone.”
Mrs. Watson was still puzzled, but nodded regardless, and retumed inside the mansion.
“Have you spoken to the chauffeur?” Abigail asked when she saw Mrs.
Watson, and she turned toward her…
Mrs. Watson replied, “I have.’
Abigail nodded and got off the couch, carrying Tommy back to their room.
Mrs. Watson walked up to her, saying, “I can carry Tommy, ma’am.”
Abigail smiled. “It’s fine.”
Mrs. Watson naturally did not press the issue and instead asked, “Should I start unpacking the stuff on the table?”
Abigail turned to look at everything on the table, and wondered if Diarmuid had really asked for it, or Debbie had decided it on her own.
Whichever it was, putting it away was better just to be safe.
“Just shelve it for now.”
“It’s all supplements, and you really need it right now… Debbie must have brought it because Mr. Althoff told her, and leaving it here is a little wasteful…”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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