Abbie was extremely unwilling after receiving Leonard’s invite to treat her to dinner. However, she could only endure it and agree for Emma’s sake.
She didn’t dress up at all when she went out and rushed to the restaurant in plain casual clothes.
Leonard booked a place in a restaurant, but the usually lively atmosphere looked a little deserted today. When Abbie entered, she felt a little strange because the waiters stood in the hall to welcome her. They bowed deeply to Abbie and said, “Welcome!”
The manager came over with a bunch of flowers and a big smile on his face. Then, he handed the bouquet to Abbie and said, “Miss Clark, Mr. Floyd is waiting for you upstairs. Please come with me!”
Abbie took the flowers and followed the manager to the second floor. Leonard was sitting in the private room in a suit and he smiled gently when he saw Abbie. “You’re here!”
Abbie nodded. The manager helped her pull out a chair and asked her to sit down. When she put the flowers aside, the waiter brought in the menu and took her order.
Abbie felt torturous during her meal with Leonard. She had no appetite at all, so she randomly chose something to order.
Leonard had the same order as Abbie, and the two of them chatted for a while before the food was served.
A violinist entered after the food was served, and he began his performance after bowing to Abbie and Leonard.
It would be very romantic to have a meal with the person she loved. Unfortunately, Leonard wasn’t someone she held dear, but someone she hated and feared.
The music made Abbie lose her appetite. If it weren’t for the fact that Leonard was holding Emma captive, she would have pushed the food away and left.
This meal was the most torturous dinner Abbie had ever eaten and she felt as if a century had passed before the meal finally ended.
However, the violin player didn’t leave and continued to play. Abbie wiped her mouth and she didn’t know what else Leonard was trying to do.
Leonard smiled gently and took out a box and handed it to Abbie. “This is a gift for you.”
“What is this?” Abbie held back her disgust and asked.
“This is a diamond I bought at an auction, and I think you are the only one worthy of it.”
Abbie couldn’t refuse him, so she could only accept the box and open it. The diamond in the box flickered with iridescent radiance, and anyone could tell with a single look that it was extremely expensive.
There was not the slightest hint of joy in Abbie’s heart. Leonard thought all women loved jewellery, but Abbie had always preferred bags.
However, she couldn’t say that she didn’t like it. Instead, she smiled politely and said, “Thank you! I like it very much!”
“That’s good! Abbie, I still have another gift for you!”
He just gave me a diamond, so what else did he prepare? Abbie started to become impatient.
Leonard gestured for the violinist to leave and smiled gently. “Close your eyes. You’ll be able to see the gift when I tell you to open your eyes.”
He was trying to flirt with her in such an old-fashioned way, and she really didn’t know what was on his mind.
Abbie held back her anger and closed her eyes. If Leonard dared to kiss her, she would definitely reward him with a slap.
When she heard footsteps coming in from outside, she felt something soft in her arms. Leonard smiled and said, “You can open your eyes now.”
Abbie opened her eyes and looked at the Emma in her arms in disbelief.
“This…”
“Do you like this surprise?” Leonard asked gently.
Of course, she liked it and it was a thousand times better than a diamond. Abbie looked at Emma, who was still sleeping, and she didn’t know what to say.
Leonard walked to her side. “I’ve thought about it. You can take Emma and stay with me. You can come over whenever you want to see her and I’ll even prepare a room for you. You can stay as long as you like.”
“Really?!” Abbie was overjoyed.
“Of course! But of course, what I wish for the most is for you and Emma to live together legally.”
This was Leonard’s true goal and he wanted to use Emma to force her to submit.
Leonard was getting more and more overbearing!
Abbie looked at Emma sleeping in her arms without saying anything. Leonard placed his hand on Abbie’s shoulder and said in a more gentle voice, “I love you! I can help you with whatever you want to do! I swear!”
Since Leonard was using her child to make her take a stand, Abbie couldn’t possibly dare to refuse. “I… I’ll think about it!”
“Well, I can give you some time to think about it, but I hope you won’t let me wait too long!”
Abbie clearly understood the meaning behind these words. She looked at Emma’s adorable face and knew that her weakness was already in Leonard’s hands.
Abbie and Leonard brought Emma back to his villa after dinner.
Leonard had decorated the baby’s room. It was very beautiful, and it was obvious that he had spent a lot of effort.
He changed the nanny who was taking care of Emma, and he said matter-of-factly, “The nanny didn’t do her best in the past, so I’ve hired someone else. Emma’s nanny now is extremely good at taking care of her.”
What did he mean by that? Was Leonard afraid that the previous nanny would reveal his insidious schemes?
Abbie didn’t comment on it. When Emma woke up, Abbie fed her milk powder and personally showered her.
Emma was very happy when she saw her mother, so she kept grinning.
Leonard stayed by Abbie and Emma’s side and said, “Look, Emma likes you so much! I like her very much as well! Abbie, I’ll give you everything as long as you agree. I’ve already planned our wedding, and it’ll be as grand as William and Valeria’s. You can tell me anything you like, and I’ll do my best as long as it’s within my means.”
Abbie didn’t say anything, but she only wished that Leonard would stay far away from her and her child.
Abbie stayed at Leonard’s villa until midnight before she left reluctantly.
Leonard and his assistant returned to the villa after personally sending Abbie home. Since there were no outsiders around, the assistant couldn’t help but praise Leonard. “You’re so wise in using Abbie’s weakness to subdue her.”
“If it weren’t for this child, my plan would have been in vain. I’m so lucky that I can use Emma to subdue Abbie.”
Helen was very anxious when Abbie came home so late. Helen was very grateful to Leonard for saving her. However, she felt particularly uncomfortable when she looked at how closely Leonard resembled William.
She thought that Abbie liked Leonard very much and said worriedly, “Abbie, don’t go out so late next time. I’m worried.”
Abbie ignored Helen and went straight to her bedroom. Then, she closed the door and threw herself on the bed. What should she do now?
That b*stard, Leonard, used Emma to threaten her because he was certain that she couldn’t bear to leave Emma. It was fine if she went to his house to see Emma once or twice, but would Leonard try to put his hands on her if this went on?
The thought of being schemed against by Leonard gave Abbie goosebumps.
She didn’t want to have anything to do with a man who had the same face as her best friend’s husband. Leonard’s purpose was very clear, so she couldn’t just sit there and wait. She had to think of a way to settle this.
The only person Abbie could talk to was Valeria. She couldn’t hide Emma’s matters from Valeria anymore, and she had to tell her so they could figure this out together.