With a grin, he joked that Abby was “dependent” on him now and suggested she should be grateful for his support. His words stung, and the room grew uncomfortably quiet. Some laughed nervously, while others avoided eye contact. Abby’s cheeks burned with embarrassment, but deep down, something shifted inside her. She realized this wasn’t just a careless joke — it was his true opinion of her.Instead of letting the moment crush her, Abby decided to respond. She stood tall, looked around the table, and reminded everyone that the celebration they were enjoying had not been funded by Gregor’s generosity. In fact, the expensive dinner had been paid for with money from her own savings account. Gasps spread through the room as the truth sank in. Gregor’s smug expression faded quickly.
