CHAPTER 75

THE GAME HAS JUST BEGUN...

The Vandell estate, though majestic, had an undercurrent of tension that never fully dissipated. Servants moved like shadows, hushed in tone, careful not to disturb the delicate balance of power that threaded through the family.

And in the midst of it all, Abigail found herself constantly aware that eyes were on her Kate’s sharp, measuring eyes, Carmen’s venomous, mocking ones, and Luke’s protective gaze that often steadied her when her courage faltered.

Carmen had always prided herself on being Kate’s closest confidante, her shadow in matters of family and influence. But in recent days, something was shifting. Kate no longer sought her opinion with the same intensity. Instead, her attention had subtly tilted toward Abigail.

Carmen noticed the patterns. The seating arrangements, the deliberate questions, the carefully designed moments of discomfort Abigail had been placed in.

At first, Carmen thought it was Kate’s way of exposing Abigail’s inadequacy. But the more she watched, the more unsettled she became it didn't longer seem like what she thought it was far from her thoughts actually.

Because Abigail wasn’t failing. She was surviving. Worse, she was shining.

Carmen sat in her chambers late one night, pacing before the fire. Her reflection in the mirror across the room mocked her fine clothes, jewels, and still, no true power.

“She’s testing her,” Carmen muttered bitterly. “And that girl… she’s passing.”

The realization knotted in her chest like poison. If Abigail succeeded in earning Kate’s regard, Carmen’s position would crumble.

“No,” she whispered fiercely. “I won’t allow it. She doesn’t belong here. She never will.”

Her eyes narrowed with determination. If Kate wanted tests, Carmen would turn them into traps.

…………………………………….

In contrast, Abigail sat in Luke’s study one rainy afternoon, staring at the drizzle streaking across the tall windows. She had been summoned twice by Kate in the last week, both encounters layered with subtle challenges.

Though she had managed to keep her composure, the weight of it pressed heavily on her chest.

She needed someone she could speak to freely someone who would not measure her or test her, but simply understand.

And that person, she realized, was Maya.

Abigail rang for the driver. “Go to the city,” she instructed softly. “Bring Maya here. Tell her I insist.”

The driver nodded and departed. Abigail’s pulse quickened with anticipation.

Hours later, when Maya stepped out of the sleek car and into the estate, Abigail felt a rush of relief. She rushed forward, pulling her friend into a tight embrace.

“God, you have no idea how much I’ve missed you,” Abigail whispered, her voice breaking slightly.

Maya pulled back, her eyes searching Abigail’s face. “You look… tired. What’s going on?”

Abigail swallowed, her throat thick. “Come inside. I’ll explain everything.”

They settled into Abigail’s chambers, the soft glow of lamplight casting warmth against the walls. Maya perched cross-legged on the bed while Abigail paced restlessly across the rug.

“It’s Kate,” Abigail began. “She’s… she’s testing me. Putting me in situations I can’t always control. Making me speak, act, prove myself again and again.”

Maya tilted her head, listening intently. “And how have you done?”

Abigail hesitated. “I’ve held my ground. But I can feel it, Maya. It’s like I’m on trial, and every word I say matters. Every silence matters too.”

Maya’s lips curved faintly. “And yet, here you are. Still standing. Which means you’re stronger than you think.”

Abigail sank into a chair, rubbing her temples. “I don’t know how much longer I can endure this. It’s exhausting. Every day feels like a battle I didn’t ask to fight.”

Maya rose, kneeling beside her. She took Abigail’s hands in hers. “Listen to me. You’ve always underestimated yourself. But I’ve seen the woman you are. You adapt. You learn. You fight in ways no one expects. That’s why she’s testing you. Because deep down, she sees what I see you’re capable.”

Abigail’s eyes filled with tears. “You really think so?”

“I don’t just think it,” Maya said firmly. “I know it. And you’re not alone. You have me. You have Luke. We’ll face this together.”

For the first time in weeks, Abigail’s chest loosened. She drew Maya into a hug, clinging to her friend like an anchor.

But while Abigail found comfort, Carmen was already weaving her schemes.

The following afternoon, at another gathering in the estate, Kate casually asked Abigail to review some documents charity reports that required analysis.

Abigail agreed, determined to show her capability. But as the documents were passed along, Carmen subtly exchanged one of the pages for a forged version she had prepared a version riddled with inaccuracies and misleading numbers.

If Abigail relied on it, she would appear incompetent before Kate.

Carmen watched from across the room, her lips curving into a cold smile.

Later that evening, Abigail sat alone in the study, the stack of reports before her. She read carefully, making notes, but something gnawed at her instincts.

The numbers didn’t add up. The formatting was slightly different from the others. A faint smudge of ink along the margin suggested haste.

Her brow furrowed. This wasn’t right.

She spent hours cross-checking the data with Luke’s financial ledgers. And slowly, the truth emerged the page had been tampered with.

Her blood chilled. This wasn’t an accident. Someone wanted her to fail.

But instead of panic, Abigail felt a fire spark inside her chest.

She rewrote her notes, meticulously correcting the errors, ensuring her presentation would be precise.

By the time she was finished, the candles had burned low, but her heart was steady.

The next morning, in the east wing parlor, Abigail presented her analysis to Kate.

“These reports,” she said calmly, “are thorough, but I noticed inconsistencies in one section. I corrected them here, with supporting evidence.”

Kate’s brows lifted slightly. She examined the corrected page, her sharp eyes flickering with interest.

“Indeed,” she murmured. “You caught what others might have missed.”

Across the room, Carmen’s face tightened, her satisfaction curdling into rage.

Kate’s gaze shifted ever so slightly toward her, a glint of suspicion in her eyes. But she said nothing, returning her focus to Abigail.

“You continue to surprise me,” Kate said coolly.

Abigail inclined her head. “I only want to serve where I can.”

But inside, her pulse thrummed with victory. She had not only survived the trap she had turned it into proof of her competence.

Later, in the privacy of her chambers, Abigail recounted everything to Maya.

“She tried to sabotage me,” Abigail whispered, trembling. “I don’t have proof, but I know it was Carmen.”

Maya’s eyes blazed. “Of course it was her. That woman reeks of desperation. But you Abigail, you saw through it. You exposed the lie without even naming her. That’s power.”

Abigail shook her head. “I don’t feel powerful. I feel… tired.”

Maya smiled softly, brushing her thumb over Abigail’s knuckles. “Power doesn’t always feel like power. Sometimes it feels like exhaustion, like survival. But the fact that you endure? That’s what makes you unstoppable.”

For the first time in days, Abigail laughed a small, weary laugh, but genuine. “What would I do without you?”

“You’ll never have to find out,” Maya said firmly.

…………………………………….

Meanwhile, Carmen stormed through her chambers, slamming the door behind her. She tore the forged page into shreds, tossing them into the fire.

“She thinks she’s clever,” Carmen spat. “But she’s nothing without Luke. Nothing without Kate’s mercy.”

Her reflection in the mirror glared back at her, lips twisted in fury.

“Fine,” she whispered darkly. “If she wants a war of wits, then I’ll give her one. I’ll strip away that false confidence piece by piece until she has nothing left.”

Her fists clenched. The game had only just begun.

That night, Kate sat in her private parlor once more, reviewing Abigail’s corrected notes.

The girl had caught what others hadn’t. She had not panicked. She had adapted.

Kate’s lips curved faintly almost imperceptibly.

“She learns quickly,” she murmured.

Yet she did not share this thought with anyone. Not Carmen. Not even Luke.

For now, Abigail remained her silent experiment. A figure she would continue to test, to pressure, to mold.

But in the quiet recesses of her mind, Kate felt a seed of respect beginning to take root.

Carmen schemed in the shadows, her sabotage sharpening.

Abigail leaned on Maya, her strength slowly crystallizing through every trial.

And Kate watched it all, her tests continuing, her judgments forming in silence.

The game of survival had become something greater. A game of power.

And Abigail, once the underestimated outsider, was slowly emerging as a force no one could dismiss.