Rejected By Her Family, Claimed By The Masked CEO

Chapter 23: weapon

Abigail stared at the note for a long time. The ruby necklace rested quietly in her palm while the folded paper remained between her fingers.

The handwriting was unmistakably James’.

Short and direct. Exactly like him. Yet the words written on it made her chest tighten.

[ Happy Birthday Abbie. But you will need to leave this house for your own good. Unless you want to be sucked dry.]

"What kind of birthday message is this?" she muttered.

The more she read it, the less she understood. James was not someone who wasted words. If he wrote something, he meant it. Which was exactly why she couldn’t ignore it.

After reading it for the tenth time, Abigail threw the blanket aside and stood up.

Nahhh!

She needed answers. And unfortunately there was only one person capable of giving them.

James himself!

The house had become quiet. Most of the servants had retired for the night while the large mansion remained wrapped in silence.

Abigail walked downstairs barefoot. She already had a feeling where she would find him.

And she was right. The private bar near the western wing was still lit. James sat alone in front of the counter. A half-empty glass rested in his hand.

The amber liquid inside reflected the dim lights above him.

He looked relaxed. As if he hadn’t just dropped a mysterious warning into her room.

Abigail marched straight toward him. She raised the paper in front of his face. "Would you mind explain?"

James glanced at the note and took another sip.

The calmness annoyed her immediately.

"That’s a very rude way to start a conversation." He scoffed.

"You are wasting time Mr."

"You really inherited Father’s stubbornness." James sighed.

"You should have never bothered looking for your biological family." freeweɓnovel.cѳm

Abigail raised a brow. Well, she already knew about that. But, the answer wasn’t what she expected.

James placed the glass down. His expression became serious. "The orphanage people treated you well."

Abigail frowned. "They were my family."

"Exactly." His voice remained calm. "Yet you still insisted on finding these people."

Abigail crossed her arms. "And what exactly is wrong with that?"

James laughed softly. "You’ve already seen what they’re like." The amusement disappeared from his face. "You heard Father and Mother discussing business. You know what they think about daughters. You’ve seen how Anna is treated."

His gaze met hers. "And you’re still living here."

Abigail was surprised."You knew?"

James raised a brow. " I was there, watching them too" he sighed tiredly.

Abigail stared at him in confusion. Suddenly several things started making sense. "You knew I overheard them." she had to be sure.

James nodded. "Of course."

Abigail felt her head hurting. Nothing made sense anymore. "If you knew, why didn’t you say anything?"

James picked up his glass again. "Because I assumed you were smart enough to leave."

That irritated her. Abigail wanted to hit him. Instead she dragged a chair over and sat opposite him.

The note remained clenutched in her hand. "You wrote that I’m going to be sucked dry."

"Accurate description." James pointed.

"What does that even mean?"

He looked at her for several seconds. Then unexpectedly chuckled. It sounded more like someone amused by a disaster waiting to happen.

"Whether you like it or not, Abigail..." He leaned back."You already belong to someone powerful."

Abigail blinked several times to digest the information. "What?"

James didn’t answer immediately.That silence only made her more suspicious.

Her mind immediately jumped toward two people.

Henry? Michael? The two biggest headaches in her life.

Abigail narrowed her eyes. "Are you watching me for someone?"

James ignored her and took another drink. Which somehow felt worse than an answer.

Her heart skipped. "Who is it?" She want to know if it’s Henry or Michael.

James only smirked at her and let her imagine. Apparently that was enough confirmation for him.

Abigail rubbed her forehead. This family was exhausting. Michael was acting mysterious. Henry was acting insane. Now James had joined them.

Wonderful!!

"Look," James finally said."Daughters are not blessings in this house." His voice remained emotionless. "They’re investments."

Abigail nodded in understanding.... of course, he was saying the truth.

"Father sees opportunities." James swirled the liquid inside his glass. "Anna’s popularity, connections, business deals and money.... belong to them"

"That’s disgusting." Abigail sighed. For the first time she genuinely considered leaving immediately.

Maybe Michael’s question earlier wasn’t random. Maybe he already knew.

James looked at her expression and shook his head. "Just don’t stay too long. You were rejected the moment they realised you can’t offer them anything"His voice became unexpectedly serious. "That’s all I’m saying."

For several seconds neither of them spoke. Then Abigail stood. The conversation had only created more questions.

She hated that. Before leaving, she looked back at him. "Thank you for the necklace."

James paused. Then looked away. "Go to sleep." Not even a proper response.

Abigail rolled her eyes and walked away.

Meanwhile...

Across the city. A luxury hotel stood brightly illuminated against the night sky.

Anna adjusted her expensive handbag nervously.

The address she had received earlier led directly here.

According to the person who contacted her, this meeting could completely change her future.

A business opportunity, sponsorship, powerful connection and something important. At least that was what she had been told.

A large bodyguard approached her. "Miss Anna?"

She immediately smiled."Yes."

"Please follow me." Anna lifted her chin proudly and followed behind him.

The hotel staff greeted them respectfully as they entered a private elevator.

The higher they went, the more excited she became.

This had to be important. Why else would the meeting be arranged in such an expensive place?

Eventually the elevator stopped. The bodyguard led her through a luxurious hallway before stopping in front of a private suite.

He opened the door. Anna walked inside.

Then immediately froze. A man sat casually near the window.

He was old enough to be her father.

Perhaps older. His expensive suit couldn’t hide the age visible on his face.

Anna’s excitement instantly dropped. She could tell what his father was up to...

The man looked up. His eyes traveled from her head to her feet. Like someone examining merchandise.

Not impressed or interested. Anna suddenly felt uncomfortable. The man reached for a pen resting on the table. Several documents already lay prepared beside him.

He casually uncapped the pen. Ready to sign. "Strip." The man suddenly said.