Chapter 160

Abigail's words left me speechless. I didn't even know how to respond. Seeing my silence, she fixed a stern gaze on me and said coldly, "So, Samuel, listen up. From now on, you're not allowed to go out to work without my permission. Got it?" I would have blindly followed Abigail's orders in the past. But not this time. I met her gaze calmly and shook my head. "I can agree to anything else, but not this," I said firmly. I paused before continuing, my tone steady, "I'm a person—a living, breathing human being. I'm not your possession or your pet that you can call and dismiss whenever you want. All I'm asking for is the basic respect of not interfering in my life." Hearing this, Abigail burst out laughing. She gave me a mocking look and shook her head. "Isn't that exactly what you are right now?" she retorted. I stared at her calmly. She seemed to sense my quiet resistance. "Your reasons aren't convincing, so I'm not inclined to agree," she said, her tone sharp. I smiled faintly.