âThanks a lot, Mr. Felix,â Ethan said, getting up after finishing his legal consultation.
âDonât mention it. Youâre a friend of Abigaileâs, so feel free to reach out if you need more legal advice,â Felix adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and handed over his business card with both hands. âIâve got a meeting this afternoon, so Iâll be heading off.â
He then smiled at Abigaile, âAbby, need a ride?â
âNo, Iâm good. Iâll stay a bit longer,â Abigaile quickly waved him off.
âAlright then.â Felix, ever the gentleman, took his leave with a nod.
Ethan watched him go, deep in thought. Things were getting complicated.
âHey, Ethan,â Abigaile started, playing it coy. She crossed her legs, revealing a sliver of her ankle from her cropped pants and her perfectly pedicured toes in her high-heeled sandals.
She knew her strengths well. Besides a pretty face, her well-maintained feet were her secret weapon. Every time she posed in stockings or barefoot, her fans would go wild.
âWhatâs up?â Ethan, lost in thought, turned just in time to see her sitting there with her legs crossed. She had nice legs.
Not as sexy as a mature womanâs, but they had a soft, feminine charm.
âHehe, what do you think about Felix? Heâs confessed to me several times,â Abigaile clasped her hands together like a girl dreaming of the future. âIâve been seriously considering whether to accept his confessions.â
She knew that making a man feel the pressure of competition could spur him into action.
She stuck out her tongue playfully, âBut heâs not really my type. Too formal for me. I prefer someone I can chat and laugh with. Happiness is what matters most.â
Abigaile wanted to make sure Ethan wasnât too discouraged, quickly stating her stance and hinting that he might be more her type.
âDo you think I should give it a try? My friends tell me that love isnât as important as life.â
âHuh?â Ethan, preoccupied with the troubles of the Michael Morgan family, hadnât been paying much attention. âWell, youâre young. Why not date around a bit? Good men are hard to find.â
Abigaile realized he wasnât really listening to her.
Seeing Ethan still distracted, she felt ignored and it stung.
âI should get going. Weâll talk later.â
Abigaile stopped her act, grabbed her purse, and stood up to leave.
âAbby, let me walk you out?â Ethan sensed something was off. She was fine just a moment ago. Had he upset her by being distracted?
Abigaile stopped, turned around, and gave him a smile like a waitress forced to be pleasant, âNo need! You focus on your stuff.â
With that, she didnât look back and quickly left the café.
Ethan stood there, dumbfounded.
He really wanted to maintain their friendship, considering itâs rare to find a true friend who would lend money and help out like she did.
Ethan rubbed his head, deciding to finish up his tasks and then reach out to apologize.
Abigaile walked out of the café, the cold breeze calming her irritated mood as she walked head down along the sidewalk.
âWhat am I even doing?â
Abigaile chuckled bitterly to herself, realizing she had been trying too hard to use all her tricks.
And yet, Ethan showed no interest in her romantically.
She gripped her purse tightly.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
She knew the truth but didnât want to admit that she was past her prime, desperately trying to prove her charm to a young guy.
How ridiculous, she thought.
Abigaile looked up at a poster on a nearby mall featuring a young, beautiful girl group.
Thatâs the entertainment industry for you, always bringing in younger, prettier girls.
She stared, lost in thought.
Just then, a car pulled up to the curb, and the window rolled down.
âAbby, let me give you a ride,â Felix offered with a smile.
âYou havenât left yet?â Abigaile asked, surprised, quickly putting on a sweet, waitress-like smile and clasping her hands together cutely, âThanks~.â
She got into the passenger seat.
âAlthough it might be rude to say this now,â Felix started as he drove, smiling, âwould you like to join me for dinner tonight? I know a great Italian place.â
âWell,â Abigaile instinctively wanted to agree, but then paused, smiling, âSorry, Mr. Felix, Iâm a bit tired today. How about I treat you next week?â
âSure,â Felix replied, steering the wheel. âMiss Abby, do you like Mr. Ethan?â
âWhat?â Abigaileâs face showed a ridiculous expression, âHow could I?â
âOh, just that knowing you for so long, this is the first time youâve asked for my help because of someone else,â Felix chuckled.
âHim,â Abigaileâs eyes flickered with embarrassment, obviously not admitting she wanted to tap into Coach Biggieâs fanbase.
Images of Ethan flashed through her mind.
Every interaction with him frustrated her to no end.
Abigaileâs lips curved into a smile, âSeeing him try so hard, itâs kind of pitiful. A hardworking guy is always likable.â
âJust because of that, huh.â Felix pulled the car to a stop.
Abigaile looked up to find they were already at her apartment building.
âThanks~â
She said, pushing the door open to get out.
âAbby.â Felix suddenly called out to her.
Abigaile turned back to see the intense look in his eyes behind his glasses.
âI know youâve always seen me as a brother since we were kids,â Felix said softly, âbut you should know, I like you.â
Abigaileâs pupils dilated, the confession catching her off guard. Facing Felixâs intense gaze, she stammered, âI⦠Iâll think about it seriously and give you an answer. Oh, and say hi to your parents for me.â
âSure.â Felix nodded with a smile.
Abigaile watched his car disappear around the corner, her hand on her forehead, her expression heavy, âWhat are you hesitating for? Youâre not going to find a better man than Felix!â
She pulled out her phone, looking at Ethanâs contact, gritting her teeth.
Her charm was being ignored by this boy, and it was frustrating.
After a moment, she smirked again and quickly typed, âAbout the property division issue you asked about earlier, whatâs your relationship with that person? Maybe I can help.â
Being with this man allowed her to temporarily set aside her troubles.
He was always coming up with something new.
Meanwhile.
Ethan returned to the hospital, his head buried in the hospital bed, thinking about how to fulfill Michaelâs wish, which meant getting Victoria to divorce him and leave with nothing.
It seemed impossible.
Just then, his phone buzzed. It was a message from Abigaile.
âHmph, women,â Ethan chuckled, amused. She had stormed off earlier, and now here she was again. He thought for a moment and sent her a message about Victoriaâs situation, omitting her real name, hoping for some advice.
Just as he sent the message, the hospital room door opened, and Scarlett walked in wearing a uniform.
Ethanâs gaze immediately shifted to her long legs clad in black stockings.