Chapter 2

The Parker family members had pale complexions and beautiful features—everyone except Gianna, who looked completely different. They had never questioned anything and had always doted on Gianna, yet one look at Abigail made them understand what it meant to be blood-related. Abigail was rather pale but had delicate and refined features. Her expression held the same cool detachment as Samuel's. Even with her hair casually pulled back in a ponytail and riding a beat-up bicycle, she carried an indescribable air of elegance. "Have you forgotten how Gianna insulted you? She called you a weirdo who goes crazy over anything fluffy, saying all you're good for is playing with pets and nothing else. How do you know she's any different?" Adrian said coldly, crushing Jayden's excitement. Samuel and Jayden fell silent. Their cherished sister, Gianna, had left them with nothing but cruel words. It was a pain that would forever remain in their hearts. How could they be sure Abigail wouldn't be the same? If they brought her home, would she just upset their mother and make her sick again? "Let's observe her for a few days first," Samuel said, having come to a decision. Meanwhile, Abigail had no idea what was happening behind her. There was only one bus stop in the residential area, and she'd have to wait two hours if she missed it. She had bought an afternoon ticket and couldn't be late. But the more urgent she felt, the more chaotic things became. As she turned a corner, a black Maybach suddenly sped toward her from the opposite direction. In her panic, Abigail hit the brakes hard and tumbled to the ground. The Maybach screeched to a halt, and the driver, Roy Jacobson, jumped out with a hostile attitude. "What the hell? Are you trying to scam people by throwing yourself at cars, young lady?" The hot weather had Abigail wearing thin cotton-linen pants, and the fall had scraped her knee badly, leaving a large patch of raw skin that stood out against her pale skin. After casually blowing on the wound, she got up, steadied her bike, and pointed to a nearby speed limit sign. "The speed limit here is 25 mph, and you were driving at 65 mph just now. So, who's scamming who?" Roy seemed stunned that she could pinpoint his exact speed so accurately and instinctively glanced back at the car. He had indeed been speeding. The passenger inside was in a hurry to get to the Newman residence for a marriage proposal, so the speeding had been tacitly approved. Just then, the window rolled down, revealing the strikingly handsome face of the man in the back seat. His skin wasn't exceptionally flawless, but his outstanding features and sharp bone structure more than made up for it. A small scar near his brow made his expression appear even more cold and aloof, and he carried the unmistakable presence of someone accustomed to power. He studied the somewhat disheveled young lady before him, feeling a vague sense of familiarity, but he quickly dismissed the thought. The person he was looking for was the Newman family's heiress. Anyone living in this neighborhood, no matter how down on their luck, wouldn't have their child riding a rental bike around. She was probably some family's young maid. Matthew Dawson casually pulled out a stack of money from his wallet and handed it over, his voice distant. "Sorry, we're in a hurry. Take this money and go to the hospital to get that wound treated." Though he said it was for medical expenses, the stack contained about five thousand dollars. It was more like hush money. Abigail blinked and said earnestly, "You should keep that money to pay for your speeding ticket. Turn over a new leaf and be a better person, old man!" With that, she got straight back on her bicycle and rode away. Matthew was speechless for a long moment before finally asking, "What did she just call me?" Roy coughed and didn't dare respond. The Dawson family held the top position in Jewls, second only to the mysterious Parker family, who never appeared in public. Matthew was only 26 years old but was the acknowledged heir to the Dawson empire. He was the future richest man in Jewls. There were so many people eager to curry favor with him that they could probably form a line from here to another country. Old man? Was he really that old? Matthew tossed the money onto the seat and laughed bitterly. She looked so sweet and innocent, but her words had quite a bite. As they drove past each other, Matthew didn't give the young maid another thought. He signaled Roy to hurry to the Newman residence as he nervously turned the ring on his finger. After all these years, would his sweetheart still recognize him? Watching Matthew smile helplessly in the rearview mirror, Roy mused that the Dawson family men were truly devoted. All these years, Matthew hadn't had a single woman by his side. He had been constantly searching for the girl who saved his life 11 years ago. Recently, they'd finally gotten word that the little girl from back then was the Newman family's heiress. The Dawsons had prepared an extravagant proposal, with the entire family ready to welcome their "future Mrs. Dawson" into the fold. Even Roy was curious to see what kind of woman could make this prince among men wait so many years. The Maybach passed the beat-up cars, where the three Parker brothers were communicating through walkie-talkies. Jayden said, "See? I told you our sister isn't some gold-digger. Look at how she handled that situation. A luxury car and a thick stack of cash—yet she didn't even look twice. She's got principles, just like me! Money doesn't impress her, and she won't be pushed around." Samuel was also pleased with Abigail's performance, though he was more concerned. "Her knee is scraped up, and she didn't treat it. We need to make sure it doesn't get infected. Adrian, go buy some medicine." Adrian snorted but obediently turned around. "Why do I have to go?" Samuel replied, "Jayden and I are going to follow Abby." … Abigail rushed to the station and caught the bus at the last second. As she settled into her seat, she heard car horns honking outside the window. Looking down, she saw two dirty sedans pulling up close to the bus, the drivers leaning out and shouting something. The wind and traffic noise were too loud to make out what they were saying. Finding it annoying, Abigail snapped the window shut and pulled out a medical textbook from her backpack, focusing intently on her reading. … Meanwhile, Matthew had arrived at the Newman residence, where Robin and Anita came out to greet him with nervous reverence. The Newmans were a modest family, worlds apart from the Dawsons. Having Matthew, the future heir, personally visit their home was overwhelming. Even his assistant, Daniel Arnett, followed behind, carrying bags full of gifts. Robin quickly ran through his recent actions, confirming he hadn't offended the Dawsons or broken any laws before daring to speak. "Mr. Dawson, what brings you here?" Matthew looked at Robin respectfully. "Ms. Newman saved my life 11 years ago in Delton City. I'm here today to propose marriage and ask for your permission to marry her. After their initial shock, Robin and Anita turned in unison to look at Gianna. At the same time, Gianna stared in shock at the man in an expensive suit, feeling like she might float away with excitement. She had just returned to the Newmans, and already, such good fortune was falling onto her lap! The Parker family men were handsome enough, but they reeked of poverty. What good were looks without money? But this man radiated wealth and refinement, carrying himself with the elegant bearing of true nobility. He was a hundred times more attractive than any of those pretty boys on television! She had to seize this opportunity! Before Robin could speak, Gianna stepped forward to say, "Matt, what I did back then was nothing special. I can't believe you've remembered it all this time." Matthew looked at Gianna, who was standing behind her parents. She was completely different from the little girl she used to be. He tested the waters with a tentative call, "Sweetheart?" Gianna clenched her fingers and turned away coyly. "Oh my, I'm all grown up now. You can't call me that anymore!" Matthew's expression relaxed slightly, but something felt off in his heart. The girl from his childhood hadn't been like this. That little girl had incredible strength. Though she looked pitiful, when she got down to business, she was fierce. She could casually toss his 15-year-old self right out a window. She was more like… Like… The face of the young woman he had encountered on the road today flashed unexpectedly through his mind. "Matt, what are you thinking about?" Gianna moved closer, familiarly latching onto his arm. Matthew wasn't used to people getting so close and instinctively pulled back, collecting his thoughts. "Nothing. I was just remembering things from when you were little." Gianna's hand grasped at empty air, and her eyes flickered briefly before she smiled again, her voice taking on a coquettish tone. "I've forgotten a lot of things from back then. After all, I was just a child." Back when she was with the Parker family, all four of her brothers had fallen for the same act. She knew exactly how to handle men. But Matthew frowned. "I know everything is rather sudden today. I'll have my parents make a proper visit to discuss the proposal later." With that, he turned and left. Getting into his car, Matthew toyed with the box in his hands, his expression shrouded in shadow. He instructed Daniel, "Help me look into the Newman family." Meanwhile, Gianna tried to follow, but Robin grabbed her arm and pulled her back. She grew irritated. "Dad, what are you doing? That was our shot, and you blew it! Who knows when we'll get another chance like this? That's the Dawson family we're talking about!" Robin frowned. "That's exactly why we can't rush things! He said he'd have his family make a proper visit. You're acting way too eager right now. What kind of impression will that give? I'm starting to wonder if you're really the one who saved him. Maybe it was Abby—" Before he could finish, Gianna's expression turned dark. "Abigail, Abigail—it's always about Abigail! You always assume she's the one behind anything good. If you hate me so much, why did you even bother having me?" She stormed back into the house. Anita glared at Robin. "She has already left, and you're still bringing up that brat to tear down your own daughter. Can't you tell who your real child is?" Robin snapped back to reality, feeling somewhat regretful. Delton City was where the Parker family lived—and where Gianna had grown up. It made sense that she would have saved Matthew during her time there before coming back to the Newman family. And now, their family was reaping the benefits. A marriage alliance with the Dawsons would bring far more prestige than any of those little awards Abigail had won at school. He should be cherishing his real daughter!