Chapter 3 36 55 vouchers " Vivian , is this the girl you want to adopt ? " Richard Monroe asked from the driver's seat , eyeing Abigail . He thought , I've heard she's misbehaved and eccentric . But now , she looks sweet and pretty , nothing like the rumors . It's just that ... ' She has her own parents , and Vivian still wants to adopt her ? Plus , we're all in the same city and circle . How awkward will it be running into the Yeats family later ? ' I know Vivian has dreamed of having a daughter , but I never imagined she'd pick this girl . Vivian looked at Abigail nervously . She took a deep breath , opened the car door , and stepped out. Trying to be friendly , she spoke gently , " Abigail , I'm Mrs. Monroe , remember ? Would you like to come home with me ? " Abigail gripped her backpack straps , her knuckles white . She didn't understand why there was still someone who wanted to adopt her . " You want me ? " Abigail's face showed no emotion , yet Vivian sensed deep sorrow in her eyes . ' She's like a kitten abandoned by its family , helpless and pitiful , baring her claws and bluffing to protect herself , only to end up badly hurt , ' she wondered . Vivian's eyes suddenly welled up . " Yes , I do ." She told herself inwardly , ' I'll take full responsibility for her life , just as a true mother would for her child . Family isn't just about taking ; it's about responsibility . ' " Okay , " replied Abigail . Just like that , Vivian got the daughter she had wanted , without needing the long speech she'd prepared . Alex placed Abigail's suitcase in the trunk . Vivian opened the car door and held a hand above Abigail's head so she wouldn't bump it while getting in . Simon came over as well . " Mr. Monroe , what brings you here ? " He glanced at Vivian , a woman he'd never met , but her commanding presence couldn't be ignored . Seeing that Richard , head of the prestigious Monroe family in Hinchester , drove for her , Simon was quite nervous . The Yeats family treated Abigail poorly . Simon thought she might just retaliate against them if she was adopted by someone that powerful . 11:16 Wed , Sep 17 Chapter 3 ... : 36 55 vouchers Richard saw through Simon's thoughts instantly and said , " My brother is busy with other stuff and can't come , so I'm helping my sister - in - law pick up Abigail . " Simon felt much more relieved . Everyone knew that Richard's elder brother , James , held no power , but Richard , who did , respected him deeply . And in Simon's eyes , without Richard's help , James would be worthless , but no matter how low he sank , he was still a Monroe . The awkward part was that the Yeats family's deepest secrets got scooped up by the Monroe family , which meant their cover could be blown any moment now . Simon had to think about that . He turned to Abigail in the back seat , warning her , " You'll only disgrace the Monroe family . If you know what's best , don't drag anyone else down . Just go back to the orphanage with Mr. Chapin quietly . " His eyes moved to Vivian . " Mrs. Monroe , Abigail isn't as sweet as she looks ; you'd better think twice before you decide . " Alex slammed the trunk shut , rolling his eyes sky - high . " Mr. Yeats , you've cut ties with Ms. Quinn , so you've got no right to talk to her like that now ." He added in his mind , ' You probably don't get it . If you really piss her off , she could wipe out the Yeats family with a snap of her fingers . Her little devil name isn't just for show . ' Abigail stared at Simon with an icy gaze , sending a shiver down his spine . Just then , a gentle hand closed over hers , and she turned to meet Vivian's tender eyes . Vivian gently rubbed Abigail's hand to soothe her , and the chill vanished . Alex knew he had truly entrusted her to the right person . When Vivian turned to Simon , fury flashed in her eyes . " Mr. Yeats , Abigail is my daughter now . Watch your mouth . Richard , let's go . " Richard nodded to Simon , and the car roared off . Simon's face twisted in anger . ' Damn ! So ungrateful , ' he complained in his mind . After seeing Abigail off , Alex called and reported to his superior , who replied , " Tighten all records ; leave no gaps for anyone to exploit ." Alex knew many groups were hunting for Abigail , and placing her with a prominent family was highly risky . He said , " Got it . " ***** Richard figured it wasn't worth falling out with the Yeats family over a foster daughter . He knew Simon was a piece of work - short on talent , long on trouble . Chapter 3 55 vouchers Sure enough , before they got home , Grant Haney , principal of Hinchester High School , called Richard . Richard glanced at Vivian in the back seat and hit the speaker button . Grant said , " Mr. Monroe , I heard Sophia took second during the end - of - month testing period . Don't worry . I just got word from the Yeats family . Abigail , who got first place , cheated to get there . She's been brawling too , hurting classmates , and we're booting her out . " The Yeats family sure knew how to spin excuses . Richard just scoffed at their sneaky games . He said , " Abigail's been adopted by my brother . " " Oh , is that so ? " Grant asked , playing dumb . Richard added , " She's still young ; what will she do if she doesn't study ? Besides , the school shouldn't take one side's word for it . I heard Hinchester High is planning for a language building , and I've got a million dollars ready ... " Everything was fixable with money . Richard handled it all flawlessly in front of Vivian . Vivian breathed a sigh of relief . " Thank you , Richard . " Richard replied with a smile, " Just doing my job . " His gaze fell on Abigail , who was still staring at the Humvee at the roadside checkpoint . Even though he spent a million dollars for her sake , she hadn't even glanced his way . ' She's got no manners , ' Richard muttered in his mind . He was just turning away when Abigail caught his eye in the rearview mirror . " Thank you , " she said . " You're ... welcome , " Richard replied . He wondered , ' She's such a pain . If not for needing James's help , I wouldn't be in this mess .' The Monroe Manor sat in the east of Hinchester , while James and his family lived clear out west . Richard had to drive practically the whole width of town . Out by the foothills on the western edge , a convoy of Humvees had set up a checkpoint , and the line of cars waiting to get through stretched for miles . The extra loop cost him a good chunk of time . When Richard returned to the Monroe Manor , dusk was falling . He stepped inside and immediately heard Helen , his wife , complaining , " They're adopting a girl . Why are you meddling ? If they need our family to show face , can't you send someone else ? Must you go yourself ? " Richard hadn't driven that long in years . He slumped onto the sofa , worn out . " What do you know , anyway ? " 11:17 Wed , Sep 17 Chapter 3 ... : " Right , I don't get it . Go ahead and be their lifelong slave . " 36 55 vouchers Richard acted like he hadn't heard . " Speaking of which , didn't I hand over one million to you the other day for Sophia's customized clothes ? Get that back to me first . " Helen tensed up . " What are you doing ? " Richard said , " Abigail's grades are in the tank , and she cheated during the end - of - month testing period . The school's ready to expel her . " Now that she's part of our family , we can't just watch them kick her out , or it would bring shame to our whole family . So I'm going to write the school a check for a new building ." Helen was so mad that she almost cried . " Richard , I'm divorcing you , " she yelled . " After we're divorced , where will you get money for bags and designer clothes ? Can your family even support you ? " Helen choked back tears . Richard waved dismissively . " Quit the drama . I'm broke . Transfer the one million to me ." Helen stormed upstairs , fuming , but Richard ignored her , pulling out his phone to stare at the dark screen . Ten minutes later , the screen lit up with an unknown number . Richard sat bolt upright , heart pounding . " Hello ? Who's this ? " " Is this Mr. Richard Monroe ? I'm Jackson Cole , heading up the Bayview Project . There was an error reviewing your company's paperwork that led to an incorrect rejection . My sincere apologies . If you're still interested , please come by tomorrow for an in - person review . 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