Unmasking Mrs. Newton's Secret Identities novel Chapter 1988

"Gosh, what's wrong with him? How the hell can he endure all this?"

Abigail was busy venting her frustrations to Helen.

Helen chuckled. "I didn't realize he had such a good temper. You've done so much, but he hasn't snapped yet."

"A good temper? He just doesn't want to give up a month of free labor!" Abigail retorted.

"Well, to be fair, you did lose the bet. So, you can't really fault him for making you work for him for an entire month," Helen replied nonchalantly.

"Hels! I'm going to get mad if you keep defending that bastard!" Abigail grumbled, clearly upset. She was looking for someone to comfort her right now, not give her a lecture.

"Who said I'm defending him? I'm clearly on your side, all right?" Helen responded soothingly.

"Oh, really? Well, I can't tell!" Abigail sulked.

"Just think about it. Kingsley is quite well-known; from what you've told me, he doesn't sound that horrible. Maybe he's only trying to teach you a lesson and force you to give in first."

"Are you saying I should admit defeat first? That sounds so humiliating!"

Abigail had been holding her ground for this long because she didn't want to yield. So, admitting defeat was the last thing she wanted to do.

"You don't necessarily have to say it outright. It's up to you now. Do you care more about your pride or freedom?" Helen patted her shoulder and turned to go back inside. "Think about it."

Abigail mulled it over unhappily. Right before Helen headed in, she called out, "Hels, wait!"

"Still confused?" Helen turned around patiently.

Abigail walked over and hooked her arm through Helen's as they headed inside. In a pleading tone, she mumbled, "Teach me how to cook. I don't know how…"

"You'd probably make things worse," Helen said disapprovingly.

Things wouldn't have come to this point if Taylor had a way to ease things between those two.

Abigail didn't plan on bringing him along. "Since it's my problem, I'll handle it myself. Besides, I'll feel awkward with someone next to me."

"All right, then. I'll cheer you on from here. Good luck, honey!"

Abigail nodded sombrely before heading out with the packed food. As she stood in front of Kingsley's house, she hesitated for a long time before finally mustering the courage to knock.

Just as she raised her hand, the door swung open from the inside, and Kingsley stepped out.

"Do you need something?" he asked coldly.