Chapter 110 Dismissal
Niamh was unaware that Finnegan had been injured. She hadn't seen Finnegan the day before, so she decided to make a special trip to Orchid Garden to look for him. Before she left, Dovie Parks had instructed her, reminding her that as a young woman, she needed to maintain her dignity and not be too forward.
The Abbott family was currently only represented by Celia's stance. Finnegan himself hadn't made any personal declarations. Being too assertive might stir up idle gossip.
However, Niamh couldn't care less about that, heading straight to Orchid Garden first thing in the morning.
Orchid Garden
Finnegan found himself in a particularly good mood that day. No matter what issues were reported by Atticus regarding the company, Finnegan's expression remained unfazed.
After Atticus finished his report, Finnegan, relaxed and unperturbed, sipped his morning tea and announced, "This month, I won't be coming into the office. Cancel all my appointments and meetings. Let the projects run as usual—don't come to me unless it's urgent."
Hearing these words, Atticus felt a shock. Was Mr. Abbott actually taking a vacation? For a workaholic who never took a single day off all year, this was a major change.
Atticus, seizing the moment of his boss's good humor and banking on their eight years of rapport, teased with a smile, "Mr. Abbott, have you finally caught up with Miss Sinclair?"
Not everyone had the guts to tease their boss, but a jovial atmosphere and a long-standing relationship made Atticus bold enough to make such a jest.
Finnegan, in high spirits from pleasing developments, allowed himself a small smile and retorted, "You always have too much to say."
Atticus chuckled and playfully slapped his own mouth. "I've said too much. Mr. Abbott, you take care of yourself. I'm heading back to the office now."
Finnegan's index finger absentmindedly tapped on the teacup as he said, "Double the bonus this month."
Atticus, surprised and delighted, responded, "Thank you, Mr. Abbott."
Indeed, when the boss was in love, the subordinates reaped the benefits.
Since Seraphina had moved into Orchid Garden, none of the subordinates had seen any perks.
After eight years of working for him, Atticus had never seen Finnegan in such a good mood.
Just as Atticus was ready to leave, Linda walked in. "Mr. Abbott, Miss Niamh is here to see you. She's downstairs."
At the mention of the name Niamh, Finnegan's brow furrowed involuntarily. He had deliberately ignored the topic of a merger between their families when Dovie had brought it up before, and now Niamh's visit to Orchid Garden was likely related to the same matter.
Atticus remembered something. "Oh, Mr. Abbott, Miss Niamh visited the company yesterday. She mentioned a potential union between the Parks and Abbott families. Is that true?"
Finnegan glanced at Atticus indifferently. "Who I, Finnegan, choose to marry isn't up for others to dictate. Go downstairs and send her away. You know what to say without me telling you."
"Understood."
Atticus headed down the stairs, pausing for a moment to consider how to turn Niamh away before he walked toward the living room.
Upon seeing Atticus, Niamh stood up. "Is Finnegan upstairs? I'll go up and see him."
Atticus blocked her path. "Miss Niamh, Mr. Abbott is not feeling well and needs his rest. He does not wish to be disturbed. Please, you should go back."
Niamh sensed she was being dismissed and her expression darkened. "Is this what Finnegan wants? I came to see him. Why would he send me away? The Parks and the Abbotts have been close for generations."
Atticus felt exhausted dealing with someone who couldn't take a hint.
“Miss Niamh, you’re not the first woman to come chasing to Orchid Garden, and we can’t have Mr. Abbott meet every single one,” Atticus said with a smile. “Mr. Abbott really isn’t feeling well today. You should head back home.”
“If he’s not feeling well, then I should see him even more. What’s wrong with him? Has he seen a doctor?” Niamh said, attempting to head upstairs.
Atticus quickly blocked the stairway, his tone becoming more firm, “Miss Niamh, please don’t make this difficult for me. I’m just an employee here.”
Filled with anger, Niamh realized she wasn’t going to make it upstairs today and left the place with rage simmering inside her.
Once in her car, she phoned Dovie, “Mom, what's the deal with the Abbott family? Didn’t you say that Aunt Celia was also discussing a marriage between our families, and that Finnegan had no objections? I just went to Orchid Garden, and I didn’t even get to see anyone before being turned away.”
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