Sudden

Everyone turned to look at Abigail and the young man with her as they entered the cruise ship's casino. The crowd was in disbelief at the sight. Abigail could also hear the whispers of those present. She heard the name the people were calling the man with her.

"Are you Edward Ulrick?" the lady asked in surprise, halting and turning to face the young man. She was astonished that the man she was seeing was James' uncle; he bore no resemblance to what she had envisioned. The company employees' descriptions had not captured the handsomeness of Edward's features in her mind. She had imagined Edward as an older man, being James' uncle, yet the reality stood starkly different before her now.

The young man stopped walking and turned towards the lady.

"Why? You seem startled," Edward said with a smile to the lady.

"Well, you don't look like what I had in mind," the lady replied. Edward's brow furrowed in curiosity at her words.

"I'm intrigued. What did you think I looked like?" the young man asked.

"Do you want me to be honest?" the lady inquired.

"It seems you didn't imagine me looking very nice," the young man remarked.

"You can't blame me. Their descriptions of you were quite peculiar. This is the first time I've seen you, so..."

"Did I disappoint you?" the young man questioned.

"Disappoint? Are you kidding? It's just awkward. Doesn't it make you uncomfortable to be with someone like me?" the lady inquired.

"Why would I feel awkward? You are beautiful," said the young man. "Now that we're on the subject, I still don't know your name. It wouldn't be right to be here with you without knowing it," Edward remarked.

“Abigail.” She said.

"Well, Abigail, let's go. Let's just enjoy tonight," the young man suggested, leading the lady towards the gathering where everyone was waiting for the auction to begin. Abigail suddenly stopped when she saw James and Tiffany together. A wave of nervousness washed over her. 

She dreaded the possibility of being ridiculed by them, especially now that she was accompanied by James' uncle.

"Uncle Edward?" James asked in surprise upon seeing the young man approaching them. Tiffany also turned to look. Edward felt Abigail's grip tighten on his arm. The young man simply glanced at the lady.

"Who is this with you? I don't think I've seen her before. And what are you doing here?" James inquired further.

"This is my cruise. It's only proper that I'm here to see how things are going and if the event is successful," the young man replied. "And you? What brings you here? Your mother mentioned you had other plans," he added.

Abigail glanced at James. Had he not recognized her? Just moments ago, he had thrown her out of his cabin. She also remembered that before the wedding earlier, James had told her that Uncle Edward had called. But from what she could see, it seemed the two hadn't spoken.

"Mr. Edward Ulrick. My name is Tiffany Wang, a journalist. I've heard many great things about you. I'm here to cover your group wedding event," Tiffany said as she introduced herself to the young man and extended her hand. Edward, however, did not accept it; instead, he just looked at her hand. Sensing that Edward would not shake her hand, Tiffany subtly withdrew it and then turned her attention to the young woman with Edward.

“You look familiar. Do we know each other?” Tiffany asked Abigail. The young woman could hardly believe it. Had her appearance changed so much due to the makeover that she was unrecognizable to the people who had deceived her? She almost felt pleased.

“Oh, this is Abigail, my date,” the young man introduced the lady.

"Abigail?!" James and Tiffany exclaimed together, surprising Edward. They looked at the woman in disbelief. They could not fathom that the Abigail they had rejected was now the same one standing before them, adorned in an elegant gown.

This was a stark contrast to the Abigail they knew. There were no traces of the clumsy Abigail in front of them now. She had indeed changed significantly, evident in her appearance.

"Money really does change people. What did you do to deceive my uncle?" James accused the young woman.

"What did you say?" Abigail retorted, hearing James's words. Did he really think she had wronged her Uncle Edward? Was his opinion of her so low that he suspected her of such deceit? She couldn't believe she had fallen for someone like him.

"You don't have to pretend. Your true colors are showing. Acting all innocent, just waiting for a big fish to catch. And you targeted my uncle of all people. Is it because you couldn't deceive me that you moved on to a bigger prey?" James accused her. The girl gripped Edward's arm even tighter, unable to believe what she was hearing from James.

"Is he the one you're meant to marry?" Edward inquired, turning to the young woman beside him. "You've agreed to marry him? Of all the men, you chose someone who doesn't grasp the concept of responsibility," he remarked. The girl gazed at the young man, bewildered. Was she interpreting Edward's words correctly? His tone implied a distance between them, unlike that of an uncle and nephew.

"Uncle Edward, please don't speak ill of me in front of them. Besides, I didn't force her to marry me. It was his decision, even though I was against it. He decided on his own," the young man retorted.

Now is it my fault? What a jerk. Abigail wondered incredulously, glancing at the man.

"I think you've made a grave error in letting her go," the young man stated. "Now that I consider it, it's for the better, because I met her. If you hadn't left her, I wouldn't have had the chance. I think I owe you thanks," Edward declared.

"What?!" James and Tiffany exclaimed in shock.

"Let's go. The auction is about to start," said the young man, disregarding the astonished James and Tiffany, and guiding the young woman to an empty seat. The surprise on James and Tiffany's faces was clear.