Chapter 154 Deliberate Seduction

"Why didn't she eat?"

Ondine quickly replied, "Miss Peterson said she wasn't really hungry, so she just nibbled a bit."

Edward glanced at the tray again. The only thing that had been touched was the plate of cucumber salad.

She was pregnant and needed proper nutrition. How could she not eat?

"I'll whip up something else," Ondine said, noticing Edward's displeased expression.

"Make it light and refreshing."

Ondine nodded and left.

Edward looked into the room. Abigail was still in the same position as she had been that afternoon.

Murray came up and reported, "Mr. Harrison, there's someone at the door asking for Miss Peterson. They claim to be a colleague here to see her."

Edward had given Abigail a sick leave last night.

Edward frowned. "Which colleague?"

The staff in Abigail's office had changed recently, and she had only been back in the office for a day. How had she already made close friends?

"She said her name is Mabel and that she's known Miss Peterson for a while."

Edward was puzzled. Abigail hadn't been with the Harrison Group for long. How had she made new friends without him knowing?

Had Daniel been slacking off?

Abigail was in a foul mood, and Edward didn't want anyone to see her like that. But he thought meeting a friend might lift her spirits, so he agreed, "Let her in."

Murray brought Mabel upstairs. When she saw Edward rubbing his temples, her eyes lit up.

Murray noticed her expression and kept a straight face.

"Miss Simpson, aren't you here to visit Miss Peterson?" Murray reminded her.

Mabel snapped out of it. "Murray, where's Abigail? I heard she took a sick leave, and I've been so worried."

The moment she heard Abigail was on sick leave, she was overjoyed.

If Abigail was sick, she had an excuse to come to the Harrison Mansion.

She prided herself on being more beautiful and talented than Abigail. If Abigail could get close to Edward, so could she!

"Mr. Harrison, I apologize for last night. I didn't mean to offend you. I was just worried about Abigail."

Murray just wanted to get Mabel inside quickly, but she took it upon herself to approach Edward.

Murray's vision darkened.

"Miss Simpson, you're here to visit Miss Peterson!" Murray reminded her again, raising his voice.

"Murray, I was just apologizing to Mr. Harrison. How could you think me that way!"

Tears welled up in Mabel's eyes, and she turned and ran off.

Murray was confused.

"Mr. Harrison, she..."

"Ignore her."

Murray hurried downstairs and found Mabel still in the living room. He understood her intentions completely.

Did she really think she could compete with Miss Peterson?

"Miss, please leave here!"

Mabel wanted Edward to see her as strong and unyielding. She didn't actually want to leave.

"Murray, I've thought it over. I'm here to visit Miss Peterson. Even if I'm wronged, I can't leave." Murray found her behavior baffling.

Watching Mabel's performance, his patience ran out.

"If you don't leave now, don't say I didn't warn you."

Ignoring whether Mabel was acting or not, Murray waved for the bodyguards to drag her out.

"Abigail, it's me, Mabel! I'm here to see you!"

The bodyguards were a step too slow. As they covered Mabel's mouth and dragged her away, Abigail appeared.

Mabel broke free from the bodyguards and rushed upstairs, her eyes quickly reddening. "Abigail, I heard you were sick. I was so worried and took time off to see you."

Edward, standing nearby, allowed Mabel into the bedroom.

Once inside, Mabel looked around.

The room was luxuriously furnished but showed no signs of a man's presence.

Clearly, Edward and Abigail didn't share a room at night.

She was secretly pleased.

"Abigail, how did you suddenly get sick? Did you catch a cold yesterday?"

"It got chilly last evening. I should have reminded you."

Mabel looked concerned.

"Thank you for coming to see me," Abigail said with a warm smile.

"We're friends. Of course, I had to come. But,something unpleasant happened last night. Mr. Harrison seems to have misunderstood me."

Abigail was surprised. "Last night? What happened between you two?"

Mabel touched her nose, looking a bit embarrassed. "Last night, I mistook Mr. Harrison for someone trying to harm you and almost called the police."

Abigail remembered.

"It's okay. He's not that petty. Just explain it to him."

But Mabel looked even more embarrassed.

"Abigail, I rushed to explain to Mr. Harrison, but Murray thought I was trying to seduce him and almost had the bodyguards throw me out. It scared me."

"I'll explain to Murray. Next time you come, you'll be well received."

"Abigail, you're so kind." Mabel hugged Abigail's arm, acting coquettishly.

Though Mabel was only three years younger, Abigail felt she had aged beyond her years.

She couldn't act so freely and childishly anymore.

Because she lacked it, she cherished and trusted it. Abigail was willing to protect her.

"Have you had dinner? Would you like to stay and eat with us?"

"Really? That would be great, Abigail. I wanted to spend more time with you."

Abigail smiled gently.

She went downstairs with Mabel, not sparing a glance at Edward.

Mabel, on the other hand, seemed shy and avoided looking at Edward.

Seeing her act, Edward frowned deeply.

Murray noticed too and was furious.

This woman was shameless, trying to cling to Miss Peterson and deceive her!

However, with Mabel around, Abigail ate a bit more, which made Edward feel relieved.

When Mabel was about to leave, he invited her to stay.

Mabel's eyes shone with ambition and desire.

Edward found her presence annoying and went upstairs.

Mabel, however, believed Edward was just being considerate of Abigail and didn't show his affection openly.

He had invited her to stay. Didn't that show his feelings?

Chewing her food, Mabel smugly glanced at Abigail.

Murray watched Mabel's performance and held back the furious Ondine, whispering, "Those who shamelessly try to climb the social ladder will only meet a worse fate."

Ondine nodded and went back to the kitchen, out of sight.

Murray arranged a guest room for Mabel on the first floor.

He specifically told her that Abigail and Edward's bedrooms were upstairs and that she shouldn't go there without reason.

Mabel readily agreed.

After talking with Abigail for a while, Mabel said she needed to rest. Feeling tired, Abigail headed to her room as well.

Holding the handrail, Mabel looked back and saw Abigail enter her bedroom. She then tiptoed back and approached Edward's room.