Owen and Samuel nodded without hesitation.

Renovating a small shop like this was child's play for them. If anything, it was an overkill of talent.

"Alright then, I'll head to the kitchen and make some fresh herbal syrup for Mom and Xavier. Thanks for taking care of the rest," Abigail said. Although she had only been back for a few days, it already felt like she was completely part of the family.

Abigail was in excellent spirits. She was humming a tune as she walked with light, joyful steps into the kitchen.

The others watched Abigail's retreating figure, all gazing at her with the same indulgent, doting expression.

"Dad, I hate to say it, but you and Mom were really wrong about this whole 'testing' thing. Abby doesn't owe us anything. Yet the moment she saw how things were at home, she immediately jumped in to help, trying to improve our situation. She's a great sister." 

Jayden's 

Abigail ran her hand across the wooden sculpture, feeling its extraordinary texture. 

"Do you like it, Abby?" Samuel looked at her and asked. He was wearing his distressed T-shirt.

Abigail nodded enthusiastically. "Like it? I love it! This renovation must have cost a fortune. Samuel, where did you even get the money? I gave you my bank card and you wouldn't take it."

Samuel cleared his throat. "Well, I just got some old, unused materials from the construction site. Mr. Dawson didn't want them, so I brought them back and repurposed them."

She touched the sculpture again. "When we officially open, we're treating Mr. Dawson to a proper meal. If it weren't for him, we wouldn't even have this place."

Samuel felt a pang of discontent that Matthew was getting all the credit, but he couldn't bring himself to say it. "Don't worry about that. I'll take care of it."

"Look up there," Owen chim

Abigail turned around and held out her hand without missing a beat. "Didn't you just say you were giving us that shop for free? Empty words don't count. Where's the deed?"

Gianna was furious and shot Abigail a glare. "Abigail, how can you be so shameless…"

Seeing her expression, Matthew's expression shifted slightly. "Ms. Newman, you said that yourself just now. Or was it just a joke?"

Gianna's fury was instantly doused. Her face twitched as she clenched her jaw and reminded herself to hold back. Losing patience over something this small would ruin everything.

"Of course, it's true, Matt." 

She really was a master of switching acts. Abigail was so impressed that she wanted to give Gianna a Best Actress award.

"I was just teasing Abigail." The sweeter Gianna's tone became, the more uncomfortable Matthew felt. His sweetheart would never act like this…

Abigail played along, still holding her hand out. "Alright, the joke's over now. So, where's the deed?  You can bring it out now, can't you?"

If looks could kill, Gianna would've reduced Abigail to ash. "I don't carry things like that with me. I'll have the butler bring it over later."

Abigail's face lit up with that usual mischievous expression of hers. 

"Fine…." She drew out the word before adding, "Take your time, then. Have a great day and goodbye! I guess you don't need me to see you off."

The biggest credit went to Matthew today. Abigail wasn't one to forget a favor. She winked at Matthew and flashed a six with her fingers. Next time, it would be a flat 60& off!

Matthew couldn't help but smile faintly. Abigail gave him another thumbs-up in return.

"See you later." Abigail noticed Gianna staring at her and waved at her without any trace of irritation.

Gianna gnashed her teeth in anger. She wanted to lash out, but there was nothing she could do. While she was still simmering over it, Matthew had already turned and gotten into his car. She quickly spun around and followed him. "Matt, wait for me!"

By the time she reached the car, Matthew had already sped away, leaving her with a cloud of exhaust.

Seeing that, Abigail burst into laughter. "Samuel, look at that!"

Gianna turned around to shoot her a venomous glare. "Don't get too full of yourself, Abigail!"

Abigail stood beside Samuel, casually blowing her bangs away from her forehead. She smiled and waved at Gianna, which nearly made Gianna explode on the spot.

After they packed up the stall that evening, Abigail returned home while humming cheerfully. She was holding the bank card and the signed lease Gianna's butler had dropped off.

"Did Abby stumble upon money or something after your mom and I left? She's been in such a good mood all afternoon. And I saw someone else come over and deliver something to her."

After Samuel arrived at noon, Owen and Yvonne had gone back to serving customers. They had missed everything that happened.

Yvonne couldn't help but worry. "Did Gianna say something upsetting to Abby? Is that why she seems a bit off?"

"She did stumble upon money," Samuel said as he pulled off his shirt. It was a custom high-end shirt from a private designer, which was made to look ordinary. He then changed into a distressed T-shirt with no logo. "And the owner of that money was Gianna."

Owen's expression suddenly changed when he heard that. "Abby, you can talk to me if you need money. Please don't do anything illegal!"

Abigail was sipping water and nearly choked. "Dad, don't listen to Samuel's nonsense. That's not what happened. Gianna came by today to shower us with gifts. Just think of her as a top-tier livestream donor, dropping us a fat gift."

She then took out the herbal syrup she had prepared earlier and stirred it into a glass of water. She handed it to Yvonne and said, "She came to thank you both for raising her all these years. She gave us a sum of money and also a big shop in an excellent location. It's a virtue to help others fulfill their good intentions. If she wants to give back, who am I to stop her?"

Looking at the card and deed on the table, Abigail couldn't help but smile foolishly. She knew she had Matthew to thank for these freebies today.

Owen saw her still grinning like a fool. He shuffled over to Samuel and whispered, "Do you think Abigail feels like we're too poor or something? Why else would she be this happy over this small sum Gianna gave her?"

Samuel shot him a glance. "Isn't this all thanks to your and Mom's terrible ideas? I don't think Abigail is a materialistic person at all."

"On the contrary, Abby is practical and down-to-earth." Jayden appeared from some corner, his soft voice drifting over.

He squeezed in forcefully, adding, "Dad, Samuel, in my opinion, we shouldn't continue this test. Not only do we have to be careful every day, but we're also making Abby work tirelessly from dawn to dusk. My heart truly aches for her."

Most importantly, Jayden really didn't want to keep a low profile anymore. He had a pile of flashy clothes he couldn't wear. Also, Jayden genuinely felt bad for Abigail.

Even back when Gianna lived with them, she never had to suffer the way Abigail was suffering now.

Owen rubbed his neck awkwardly. "Well… It's all because of what that ungrateful brat, Gianna, did previously. She has forced your mom and me to stay on guard. That's why Abigail has to bear all this. But it looks like we've been overly cautious."

Suddenly, Abigail chimed in, "Jayden, you're back!"

All three men jumped and quickly scattered apart. Jayden greeted her with a mischievous smile, "Yes, I just got back. I heard today's earnings are pretty good."

He took the opportunity to pinch her cheek. "Abby, you must be tired. You're so capable. Come here—let me give you a hug for encouragement."

Abigail pushed his shoulder gently. "That's not necessary. I appreciate the thought, though. Samuel, I actually need a favor." 

Whenever she talked to Samuel, her voice was soft and sweet. Jayden's eyes were full of grievance. Why was she so soft-spoken and intimate with Samuel? He was clearly the first one to show Abigail kindness.

Samuel's usually tense jaw relaxed. "What is it? Just tell me."

"I need Dad too!" Abigail added, turning to Owen.

Owen's voice was loud and exaggerated as he replied, "I'm here!"

The brothers all cringed. He really acted like a whole different person around Abigail.

"So, we've got this new shop now, but I don't know anything about renovations. Samuel, you're already working on-site, so you must know way more than I do. I can't leave the stall, so could you and Dad help me keep an eye on the renovation? Please?"

Owen and Samuel nodded without hesitation.

Renovating a small shop like this was child's play for them. If anything, it was an overkill of talent.

"Alright then, I'll head to the kitchen and make some fresh herbal syrup for Mom and Xavier. Thanks for taking care of the rest," Abigail said. Although she had only been back for a few days, it already felt like she was completely part of the family.

Abigail was in excellent spirits. She was humming a tune as she walked with light, joyful steps into the kitchen.

The others watched Abigail's retreating figure, all gazing at her with the same indulgent, doting expression.

"Dad, I hate to say it, but you and Mom were really wrong about this whole 'testing' thing. Abby doesn't owe us anything. Yet the moment she saw how things were at home, she immediately jumped in to help, trying to improve our situation. She's a great sister." 

Jayden's heart ached for her. 

"We've got enough money to live comfortably for generations. Yet she's the on

Chapter 15