"Yeah... a lot of people think that way," Abigail chuckled, her voice carrying a strange mix of nerves and unexpected boldness.

The words slipped out before she could stop them, and the whole room seemed to pause for a second.

Mhi Ho, who had been watching her closely since they arrived, tilted his head with clear interest. His tattooed arms crossed over his chest as he let out a long sigh. "Lord, don’t let her turn into a psychopath... yet," he muttered under his breath, half joking but with a hint of real worry. He had no idea what was in that injection from before, but whatever it was, it seemed to be stirring something unusual in Abigail. She was acting bolder and a little wilder than normal, and it showed in the way she responded to the family’s teasing questions.

He’s one hundred per cent sure that Henry only warned Selena to stay away from her. People will even think Selena was Henry’s confusing weakness. He’s sure Selena is still fine out there!

Before anyone could dig deeper into her surprising answer about being kidnapped or threatened, the grandmother raised her hand gracefully. "I would like to speak with Abigail alone for a moment," she said in a calm but firm voice that left no room for argument.

Henry shot Abigail a quick look, trying to send her a silent signal to be careful, but she did not even glance his way. Instead, she stood up straight and followed the old woman without hesitation, her black pearl dress swishing softly as she walked. The rest of the family exchanged curious glances, but no one stopped them.

They stepped out onto a peaceful balcony overlooking the vast estate gardens. The air felt fresh and quiet, with gentle sunlight filtering through the leaves. The grandmother moved slowly, her presence strong despite her age. Once they were settled on a comfortable bench, she began to speak softly.

"Henry lost his mother when he was just a child," she said, her eyes distant as if remembering those hard times. "He has always tried to act strong for his younger siblings, carrying the weight of the family on his shoulders.

He is a very intelligent young man, you know. Smarter than most people give him credit for."

Abigail listened quietly, her eyes widening in shock. She had never known that Henry had lost his mother so early. A wave of pity washed over her. So he was going through a lot behind that cold mask of his. All the arguments and distance between them suddenly felt different, like she was seeing a small piece of the real Henry for the first time.

The grandmother noticed the change in Abigail’s expression and smiled gently. "Yes, I can see you understand," she continued. "He grew up without much motherly love. He barely shows human emotions sometimes. His father trained him hard, turning him into someone ruthless when necessary. It was the only way to survive in our world."

Abigail nodded slowly, taking it all in. After a moment, she spoke with sincerity. "That explains why he seems so distant sometimes. But underneath it, he must care deeply about his family to carry all that alone. It takes real strength to keep going like that." Her words were simple but warm, and they made the old woman’s face light up with a happy smile. The grandmother looked pleased, as if Abigail had passed some unspoken test.

Abigail stood up, thinking their private talk was over, but the old woman suddenly reached out and gently grabbed her hand. Her grip was surprisingly firm.

"Promise me something, dear," she said, her voice full of quiet emotion. "Promise you will never leave Henry. Stay with him and bear his child one day. Give him the family he never fully had."

Abigail froze on the spot. Her heart raced as the weight of those words hit her. How could she swear something like that when their marriage was only a contract? The real business deal with her company was supposed to start the next day, and Henry would begin whatever actions he had promised. No one had talked about forever or real emotions. Children? That felt like a whole different world. She took a deep breath and managed a small, polite smile.

"I can’t promise that right now," she replied honestly. "I’m still trying to figure out a lot of things about myself and this whole situation."

The grandmother nodded understandingly, though her eyes still sparkled with hope. "I will be waiting for your answer, dear. I can’t wait to see little Henry running around one day." The words carried a mix of warmth and gentle pressure that left Abigail feeling a bit overwhelmed but also touched.

They walked back to the living room together, where the rest of the family waited with curious expressions. Henry gave her a quick searching look, but she avoided his eyes again, still processing everything the grandmother had shared.

The old man, Henry’s grandfather, cleared his throat and stood up with a welcoming smile. "Enough serious talk for now," he said cheerfully. "Let us all move to the dining room for dinner. There will be plenty of time to ask more questions while we eat."

Everyone began to stand and follow him toward the elegant dining area. The long table was already set with beautiful dishes that smelled amazing.

Abigail felt her stomach rumble a little, but the strange effects from the injection still lingered, making her feel slightly off balance. As they were about to sit down and start the meal, one of the maids entered the room with a polite bow.

"Excuse me," she announced clearly. "Miss Selena Stone has just arrived."

The name hung in the air, and Abigail could not help but wonder who this person was to Henry and what fresh surprises the morning would bring. Thinking about the strange message. Her eyes darkened.

The family gathering had already been full of unexpected moments, and it seemed like it was far from over.