Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 138: School Day

Abigail wasn’t in a very good mood when she woke up the next morning. She was still upset over the event of the previous day and now that she knew that Genevieve wanted to get closer to Jamal, she was no longer enthusiastic over the the idea of Jamal working as Secretary since that would only put him in an even closer proximity with Genevieve.

She wouldn’t be surprised if Genevieve wanted him to be the Secretary just so she could be closer to him.

She did not bother to go into the kitchen to see Jamal because she knew they couldn’t talk anyway, and she wasn’t feeling much like talking to him.

She knew that if she went to the kitchen, her disposition and attitude might reveal to the others that something was wrong.

As she stepped out of the bedroom after dressing up for work, she decided to look in on Josh, making a mental note to visit the school she had scouted for online during lunchtime so she could proceed with his admission.

Just as she stopped at his door, the door opened and Josh stepped out, accompanied by one of his Nannies. He looked fully dressed as though he was going out.

”Good morning, Ms Abigail,” the nanny greeted politely, and Abigail gave her a nod.

Josh embraced her legs, ”Good morning, Abi.”

Abigail signed, [Good morning, sunshine. I thought you’d still be sleeping as usual. Are you going somewhere?]

Josh bobbed his head, and she raised questioning eyes to the nanny and took out her phone to type since it was obvious the nanny wasn’t following the conversation.

[Where are you taking him?]

The nanny shook her head, ”Not me. Mr Harris instructed that I get him ready.”

Abigail frowned, wondering what Ryan was up to. Was he back now? She wondered, since he had not returned for dinner the night before.

She held out a hand to Josh and when he took it, the nanny stepped back and Abigail went downstairs with Josh.

When they got to the dining they saw Ryan sipping from a cup of coffee as he scrolled through his phone, and when he heard them approaching he set down his phone and smiled widely.

”Good morning, daddy,” Josh greeted as he left Abigail and hurried over to meet Ryan.

Abigail set her teeth as she watched Ryan talking to Josh and asking how he slept while Josh responded happily.

”What about you, Abi? Did you sleep fine?” Ryan asked, looking at her with a curious smile as she sat.

Abigail forced a smile as she signed, [I slept well.]

”I see you are prepared to resume work at the office today,” he said as his gaze swept over her outfit.

Abigail nodded, but didn’t respond. And then she asked, [Are you taking Josh with you to the office?]

”No. I’m taking him to school,” he said, and Abigail frowned.

[School? I thought we agreed that I’d pick out the school and take care of that?]

”I’m his father, Abi. What kind of a father would I be to leave such an important task to my daughter?” He asked as the maids served their breakfast.

Abigail clenched her fist tightly. [We both know I’m his mother!] she signed, and the expression in her eyes told Ryan that she wanted to yell or snap.

He admired her restrain and self control. He couldn’t help but wonder how she managed to stay silent and not slip up and talk.

The one question that had been on his mind since his conversation with Jamal has been— how long has she been pretending to be mute?

Abigail froze when she realized she had signed that without considering the fact that Josh was at the table. She glanced at him, but he wasn’t staring at her. He was picking a ball of chicken bread.

”You can come with us if you want to. But today is your first day of work, and I believe you don’t want to go late. You shouldn’t give the employees the impression that you are privileged and unserious. It’s bad enough that you’re mute and occupying such a high position,” Ryan added, lifting his cup again and taking a small sip of coffee.

Abigail lowered her gaze, and she let her clenched fist rest on her lap, as she forced herself to stay still. She knew he was deliberately pushing her and wanting to get a reaction.

This was his way of showing how much control he had over her. Deciding not to give him the benefit of seeing how annoyed she was, she reached for a piece of bread and began to eat without looking up.

Ryan watched her, impressed by how she kept her emotions in. He raised his head when he heard Genevieve descending the stairs.

Josh turned his head toward her. ”Good morning, Genny!”

Although she wasn’t in the mood and had planned to just eat quietly and leave, Genevieve smiled at him, ”Good morning, Josh,” she responded as she sat down. ”How are you doing today?”

”I’m going to school, Genny,” Josh said, and Genny raised a brow.

”Oh, you are?” She asked with a confused smile, looking from her father to Abigail.

She took one look at Abigail’s tight expression and could tell that something was wrong. Abigail was usually always full of smiles around Josh.

”Yes,” Josh said, chattering on.

”I guess you will be taking him to school before coming to the office,” Genevieve asked, looking at Abigail.

”No. I will be taking him to school myself. Abigail has to resume work today and we can’t have her running late on her first day,” Ryan said, and Genevieve nodded, understanding now the reason Abigail seemed upset.

”Josh, how would you like your big sisters accompanying you to school on your first day?” Genevieve asked, and Abigail looked up in surprise.

”Yaay!” Josh exclaimed happily.

”Genny...”

Genevieve cut Ryan off before he could protest, ”I understand that you’re trying to look out for Abi, Dad, but she is resuming as my assistant. If I’m not at the office then there’s no reason for anyone to say she is late. Josh’s first day at school is a big deal, and I wouldn’t want to miss it,” Genevieve said, and Ryan glared at her while Abigail gave her a nod of gratitude.

He couldn’t help but wonder why Genevieve was suddenly always taking Abigail’s side. Did she by chance know that Abigail could speak now? Did something happen between them that he did not know about?

He liked things better when Genevieve was always antagonizing Abigail. He didn’t like this new supporting behavior Genevieve was putting up. The last thing he wanted was for them to become allies of any kind.

Seeing the displeasure on his face, Genevieve smiled at him, ”Think of it as an opportunity to show off your beautiful, united family,” she said, and then added dramatically, ”Multibillionaire, Ryan Harris, was spotted earlier today at an elementary school with his kids... Talking about your kids, when are you making an official announcement about Abigail?”

”Genevieve, no more talking. Let’s have a silent breakfast,” Ryan said, glaring at her.

Genevieve stuck her tongue in her cheek, and winked at Abigail without thinking. Abigail was taken aback by the playful gesture, and so was Genevieve who had not realized what she did.

Immediately they both looked away from each other and focused on their food.

After eating in silence for a while, Ryan cleared his throat, ”You haven’t filled the position of secretary yet, have you?”

”Daddy, you said no more talking,” Josh reminded him, and both Genevieve and Abigail laughed.

To Abigail’s surprise, Ryan smiled at Josh, ”Let’s break the rule briefly, and then we can go back to not talking,” he said before turning to Genevieve again, ”since Pete can sign, I think you should make him your secretary.”

”I’ll have to first make sure he’s qualified for the position,” she said, deciding that it was best not to tell him that she wanted to give him the job, ”but I prefer having him as my driver. And I know he’d prefer it too since he doesn’t have a place to stay,” Genevieve said, acting as though she had not discussed it with Jamal already.

”There’s no reason he can’t be both. What about you, Abi? Do you have a problem with Pete being your secretary?” He asked, looking at Abigail.

Abigail shook her head.

”That’s settled then. You can confirm if he meets the other criteria, and then have him fill the position. Josh, let’s leave if you’re done eating,” Ryan said as he pushed away from the table, and they all did the same, following him out.