Chapter 419 – Second Chance Love of the Missing Groom Novel

Mick was pleased, and they headed to a restaurant together.

Erin wrapped her hands around Abigail’s arm, whispering into her ear, “My dad is very happy.”

Abigail certainly could tell, even as Erin continued, “Dad loves Mom the most, and naturally her child too.”

Erin was referring to Mick, who seemed to love Diarmuid like a son since he was Yvaine Lynd’s son.

“Cheer up, Erin. You’ll be happy too,” Abigail used the moment to encourage her. “We all love you too.”

There was determination in Erin’s eyes as she looked at Abigail then, and she solemnly replied, “Yeah. I think I’ll get a job.”

Although she was not saying much, Erin was abruptly cheering up.

Abigail agreed with the idea as well, since one would not have the time to remember anything unpleasant.

…

Abigail and Diarmuid stayed a night at the hotel before leaving the next day, although she immediately ran into trouble the instant they landed in Zidonia.

James was at the airport, waiting to receive Abigail and Diarmuid as their flight landed.

As they left the airport, Diarmuid asked, “Are you done with that issue?”

“Yeah,” James replied very softly, subtly sneaking a glance at Abigail and refraining from going into detail.

Abigail, who was holding Diarmuid’s arm, was aware why James was being vague.

He did not want to talk about it in front of her since she was personally involved.

Even so, she had a right to know when they would apprehend the mastermind.

“Just give it to us straight, James,” she told him then.

James lowered his gaze. “It’s not like I want to keep it from you—I just did not want to upset you.”

“I’m fine. Just tell us,” Abigail said, her words sharp and clear.

Still, James remained silent for a long while before saying, “The gang had a long criminal record in Braston. They bailed from the city the instant that the police started a search for them, and they had been to other cities before they came here. It’s the same story in each city, too—they commit crimes, get arrest orders issued on them, and bail.”

Diarmuid raised a brow. “Are you saying that they are just serial criminals with arrest warrants on them from multiple cities? That what they do here was on their own accord without anyone’s orders?”

“Impossible!” Abigail snapped right then, appearing slightly agitated. “They were clearly asking me if I was Abigail Bernstein when they tried to abduct me. It was very obvious that they did not recognize me, but someone had sent them after me. That’s why they asked if I was me to ascertain my identity.”

Diarmuid took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Calm down. I’m just asking.”

Abigail realized that she was being overagitated as well, and she paused for a moment to let herself calm down.

James then admitted, “That may be, but I don’t have any evidence that they’re under someone’s payroll. While that does not necessarily mean that they’re not working under someone’s orders, I’m still very worried—they are very experienced with escaping, and they managed to get away without leaving much clues multiple times. Right now, we can’t even be sure that they are still in this city, or already made their escape.”

Abigail could not help feeling dejected at the notion of not catching those scumbags.

And judging from James’s description, the gang seemed to be career criminals and were always on their toes, which made things even harder.

Still, Diarmuid patted her on the back of her hand assuringly. “We’ll get them eventually.”

“Yeah,” Abigail murmured somberly.

…

They drove home to the hilltop mansion, though Abigail’s phone rang before she alighted and picked it up.

Diarmuid could not hear what the caller was saying, but he could see her brows knitting into a frown.

“Got it,” she replied, but her frown did not ease up even after she hung up.

“What’s wrong?” Diarmuid asked.

Abigail took a deep breath. “It’s work. I need to go to the research center.”

“I’ll take you there—”

“It’s fine,” Abigail replied, cutting him short. “You have work to do. Eagle can get me there.”

With those words, she aligned and got into another car.

As Diarmuid walked up to it, Abigail lowered the window, looking up at him as she said, “I’ll be right back— once I’m done with this.”

Diarmuid lowered his gaze to meet hers. “I just wanted to tell you that you shouldn’t force yourself to handle it if it’s too much for you. Just tell me whenever you need my help.”

“Okay,” Abigail replied and raised the window before turning to Eagle. “Let’s go.”

The car lurched forward, and it was obvious that Abigail was in a hurry as she would check the time constantly along the way.

However, it was not until half an hour later that the car finally stopped outside Hotmesh Research, and she alighted.

Finn Crowe quickly ran up to her, saying, “You’re finally here, Director…”

“What on earth happened?” Abigail asked even as she stormed into the building.

Finn followed Abigail into the building as he said, “I’m not too sure myself, but he’s refusing to put his signature on the agreement, even though he agreed to sign it earlier!”

Before Abigail left for Franconia, she had made the acquaintance of Professor Lowe thanks to Professor Novsky’s introduction.

Since Professor Lowe had the technical ability to cut the foil down to 0.03 mm, Abigail was going to commission him for his work.

While it would even be more ideal if he joined them, Abigail had made the offer, and Professor Lowe agreed earlier that he would take the job.

And now, he seemed to be reneging on that agreement, which left Abigail frowning.

“Is he here right now?” she asked.

“Yeah, he actually just arrived to see you. I’ve asked him to wait at the conference room.”

Abigail started striding in that direction, and opened the door instantly the instant she reached it.

The vast room was empty save for one person in a chair—seeing that Abigail was standing at the door, Professor Lowe rose to his feet.

Still, Abigail remained calm and composed.

“Finn? Get us something to drink, please,” she said, and entered the conference room with a smile. “Sorry to keep you waiting—I was held up. Please, sit.”

Professor Lowe was not at all old.

Sporting a pair of black-rimmed glasses, he did not appear to be a day older than forty and had the air of someone cultured and slightly conservative.

He was quite candid as well. “Director Bernstein, I’ve come personally to meet you to apologize… but I have to turn down your commission.”

Abigail sat down and asked, “Why? Do I not pay you enough? I can add more money if that’s what you need.”

Professor Lowe shook his head. “I’m sorry.”

Abigail held his gaze for several heartbeats and said, “I don’t think you’re the type of person to break promises, and it may be very likely that you’re in trouble and were forced to turn me down. Why don’t you take your time and tell me about it? I’ll see if I can help.”

Professor Lowe was actually surprised by Abigail’s sudden offer and was actually drawn to it for a moment.

However, it was not something he could easily talk about, and it left him in a dilemma just then.

Abigail was in no hurry and quietly waited while Finn returned, bringing them their drinks.

Abigail gestured for him to put the glass in front of Professor Lowe, who simply sat there.

It was not until an hour later that he made up his mind. “I can tell you, but only you alone.”

Abigail promptly told Finn to leave the room and to shut the door behind him.

After Finn was gone, she said, “What is it? You can just tell me.”

Professor Lowe still had trouble speaking up, and it took a while for him to finally say, “Look, someone set me up, and I was forced to sign an agreement with them, commissioning my work to them.”

“They? Who’s they?” Abigail pressed.

“They’re working on an artificial heart too, and I know for a fact that they’re in it for the money,” Professor Lowe replied. “That’s why I refused to work with them, but the truth is that they were already trying to recruit me before you came to me. They must have found out about our planned agreement, so they set me up so that I was forced to comply.”

Abigail was quiet for a moment. “Forced you to comply? How?”

Profesor Lowe hung his head. “With a honey-trap.”

With that, he turned towards Abigail with a pleading look. “Please, you have to help me—I don’t want to work with them, but I don’t want to lose my family either. What if my wife sees the photos I have? What would she think of me? And how am I going to face my children? My life would be over if that happens…”

Abigail did not say anything immediately, since they needed a solution that would cover all corners.

“You can’t help me either, huh?” The light in Professor Lowe’s eyes started to fade just then.

“Let me think about it,” Abigail said and got to her feet. “Calm down for the time being. I’ll make a call— we might turn things around just yet.”

“Really? Okay, I’ll wait!” Professor Lowe exclaimed, his fingers clenching on his glass as he felt hopeful again.

Abigail left the conference room and stood in front of a window, whipping out her phone after a brief hesitation.

However, before she could call Diarmuid, there was a news notification that left her pausing!

The news was supposed to be something worth celebrating, but Abigail found it implausible when she thought about it.

After all, James had yet to catch on to the trail of that gang—how would they apprehend them so quickly?

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