Chapter 175 She Is Mine
Abigail was staring at Roman too, but her look was so cold, like she was just looking at some random guy.
Roman felt a knot in his stomach. This wasn't how it was supposed to be.
Abigail used to be all over him, and everyone said she was head over heels for him, even willing to be his backup plan.
But somewhere along the line, things changed.
Seeing Roman's pained and regretful face, Abigail frowned, feeling a bit disgusted. "Mr. Roman White, if you have something to say, spit it out. We have had a long day and need to crash early." As she spoke, she wrapped her arm around Gregory's.
Gregory, who had been annoyed by Roman's stare, felt his mood lift when Abigail leaned in.
He pulled her into his arms and shot Roman a cold look.
It was like he was silently saying, "Back off, she's mine."
Roman swallowed his bitterness and got to the point. "Gregory, I heard about what happened at school. It's all a big misunderstanding. Jessica was just confused; she didn't mean it. Can you let it slide?"
Abigail scoffed, "A misunderstanding? Forgive? That's easy for you to say. If I hadn't had backup drafts, I would've been the one expelled."
Roman knew Jessica was in the wrong, and his request was a stretch, so he couldn't meet Abigail's eyes. "I know Jessica wronged you. Whatever compensation you want, just name it, and I'll do my best. Please, let Jessica off the hook."
"What if I say no?" Abigail stared at Roman, wanting to see how far he'd go for Jessica.
Roman pressed his lips together and asked, "Jessica's expulsion looks bad for the White family. Can't you think about the family's reputation?"
Abigail was furious. She knew Roman was shameless, but she didn't expect him to play the family card.
If she didn't agree, it would look like she didn't care about the White family's honor.
But she was stubborn; the more she was pushed, the less she wanted to give in.
Abigail shot back, "Am I the one really disgracing the White family? Don't you get the golden rule? Have all those books you've read been a waste?"
Roman was so ashamed he couldn't lift his head and stayed silent. He knew Abigail was the victim here, but for Jessica's sake, he had no choice.
Seeing Roman avoid Abigail's gaze, Jessica felt a wave of panic.
She suddenly stood up from the couch and said, "Abigail, are you trying to get back at me? I admit I was wrong, but I didn't really hurt you, did I?"
"How about I call the cops? Plagiarizing someone else's design and not owning up to it is a crime." Abigail pulled out her phone, ready to dial.
Jessica rushed at Abigail, trying to grab her phone. "Stop it. Abigail, are you trying to ruin me?"
Seeing her rush over, Abigail quickly threw herself into Gregory's arms, playing the victim. "Honey, is she going to hit me? I'm so scared."
Gregory held her, gently patting her back, and whispered, "Don't worry, I'm here. No one will dare to hurt you."
Jessica stood there, frozen, staring at her still-raised hand in disbelief.
When did Abigail become such a drama queen? Her hand hadn't even touched her!
She looked hurt, her eyes welling up, and turned to Roman for help. "Roman, you saw that, right? I didn't touch her. She's totally framing me."
Roman glanced at Abigail, who was nestled weakly in Gregory's arms and stayed silent.
Abigail slowly lifted her face from Gregory's embrace, her eyes showing no sign of sadness. "Jessica, being falsely accused doesn't feel good, does it? Expulsion is already the lightest punishment for you."
Jessica's face went stiff, and Roman was at a loss for words.
Gregory checked the time and saw it was almost eleven. "It's late. You should leave now."
Jessica and Roman exchanged a glance but didn't move.
They had come here hoping Abigail would let bygones be bygones and plead with the president of Aramore University to let Jessica return and get her diploma.
Before coming, Elaine had thrown a massive fit, smashing almost all the valuable items in the house and cursing Jessica non-stop.
She even warned them that if they didn't resolve this, they wouldn't be allowed to come home tonight.
Seeing they were unwilling to leave, Gregory raised an eyebrow. "What? Do you want me to call the police to escort you out, or should I have the bodyguards outside come in? Your choice."
Jessica glanced outside and saw several burly bodyguards who had appeared at some point. They looked well-trained and not easy to mess with.
Meeting the bodyguards' cold stares, she couldn't help but shiver.
But Jessica still didn't want to leave, her eyes full of defiance. "Abigail, are you happy to see me humiliated?"
Abigail raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
Jessica continued, "Since childhood, you've had the best of everything, while I've had to fight and scramble for whatever I needed. Sometimes, I think God is really unfair. We're both Dad's daughters, but you're his legal daughter while I'm the illegitimate daughter hidden in the shadows."
Abigail sneered, "Your background wasn't my decision; it was your mother's choice. David loved you, even only loved you, giving you fatherly love and a privileged life. You've never lacked anything compared to me. It's you who's too greedy."
Since childhood, David had never loved her. When Michelle was alive, at least David maintained a facade of harmony. After Michelle passed away, he showed his true colors.
So, in fact, Jessica was luckier than her, having the love of both parents. David used Michelle's money to support Jessica and her mother, giving them everything they needed.
But Jessica and her mother were never satisfied; they were obsessed with gaining legal status.
Jessica shook her head, smiling bitterly. "It's not like that. You have no idea how much scorn and criticism I've faced because of my illegitimate status."
Abigail retorted, "What does that have to do with me? Being David's mistress was your mother's choice. Your birth was also your mother's choice. If you want to hate someone, it shouldn't be me, right?"
This question had troubled Abigail for a long time.
She hadn't done anything wrong, yet she was bullied just because she was David's first wife Michelle's daughter. She suffered abuse because of it. Was that fair?
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