Beneath the surface.

Abigail's face fell, concern etched on her features. "I'll work on it. Please help me."

Caleb's expression remained unreadable as he stood up, and Abigail followed suit. "Tomorrow at 1 pm, bring the samples to DdB," he instructed.

Abigail nodded enthusiastically, and they both exited the cafe. Caleb walked two steps ahead, his pace steady.

As Abigail pulled out her phone, Caleb caught snippets of her worried conversation. Someone was faint, and Abigail sounded frantic. However, Caleb didn't turn back; instead, he continued to his car.

From his vehicle, he watched Abigail struggle to hail a cab for nearly ten minutes. Caleb let out a deep breath, then started his engine and pulled up beside Abigail.

He stopped in front of her, the car's presence announcing his return.

Caleb pulled down his car window and said, "Get in!"

Abigail hesitated for a moment before hopping inside. As they drove, she guided Caleb to her brother's apartment.

As they arrived, Abigail quickly thanked Caleb and said, "Thanks!" Her tense expression caught Caleb's attention.

"If it's an emergency, call me, and I'll wait for you," Caleb offered.

Abigail nodded, "Okay," before rushing out of the car.

She burst through the apartment door, calling out, "Julian! Julian!"

Suddenly, the lights flickered on, and Julian exclaimed, "Happy birthday!" as he brought out a cake. Harper, Mason, and Ethan joined in, singing the birthday song.

Abigail's eyes widened in surprise, and she lost her balance, falling to the ground. Ethan quickly rushed to her side, holding her.

"What happened?" Ethan asked, concern etched on his face.

Abigail shot each of them a glance, laughing. "You scared me!"

Julian grinned, hugging his sister. "Sorry, my pretty sister!"

Abigail's face lit up with a wide smile as she hugged her brother back.

A sumptuous feast was spread out on the dining table, and everyone took their seats, eager to dig in. Abigail's concern for her brother lingered. "Julian, are you sure you didn't hurt anywhere?" she asked.

Julian chuckled, directing a playful glance at Harper. "I'm perfectly fine. Hey, did you make it sound like I'm bedridden?" he teased.

Abigail shot Harper a warning look, pinching her arm. "You're dead if you do it again."

Harper apologized, touching her ears. "I didn't know you'd be alarmed this much, sorry."

Mason's curiosity got the better of him. "Abigail, did you come in a taxi? You're very fast."

Abigail took a bite of her chicken drumstick, about to respond, but her words were cut off as the drumstick slipped from her fingers and fell onto her plate.

"Oh my god!" Abigail's eyes widened in shock, and she sprang to her feet, leaving everyone at the table wondering what was wrong.

"What's wrong?" Harper asked, concern etched on her face.

But before anyone could get an answer, Abigail slapped her forehead and rushed out of the room.

"She came in a taxi," Mason said, trying to piece together what had happened. "Maybe she didn't pay the fare and left the driver waiting."

"I bet the driver is furious," Harper added, chuckling.

Ethan, however, was already on his feet, following Abigail out of the room.

Mason's expression turned mischievous, and he leaned in, whispering, "Don't you think there's something more going on between Ethan and Abigail?"

Harper shot Mason a warning glance, looking at Julian before saying, "Don't talk nonsense."

Abigail was bent over, catching her breath with her hands on her knees. Ethan walked up to her, and before he could ask what was wrong, Caleb appeared, firing off questions.

"Do your brother need to go to the hospital? Is it an emergency?" Caleb asked, his brow furrowed with concern.

Abigail shook her head, still trying to catch her breath. "No, it's not that," she said.

As Abigail explained, Caleb's expression transformed from concern to shock and then to anger. His face turned red, and his eyes narrowed.

"I am really sorry," Abigail said, standing frozen like a turtle.

Caleb snapped, "Is this your way of taking revenge?"

Abigail quickly denied it. "No, of course not! I never dreamed...I mean, I did dream, but I never put it into action."

Ethan intervened, sensing the tense atmosphere. "What's wrong?" he asked calmly.

Abigail glanced at Ethan. "Nothing, Ethan."

Caleb took one last look at Abigail before turning and walking away to his car. Abigail quickly followed him, apologizing several times before he drove off.

Ethan walked alongside Abigail, listening as she explained the whole story. He offered comforting words, reassuring her that everything would work out.

Abigail's expression slightly brightened, and she felt a sense of relief wash over her as Ethan's calm demeanor soothed her frazzled nerves.

Caleb arrived at his parents' mansion before heading back to his apartment. As soon as he stepped inside, he snapped at Sophia, "Why didn't you open the window when you ate noodles?"

Sophia's eyes widened in surprise, her expression incredulous. "Did he have a dog's sense of smell?" she thought to herself.

Caleb's annoyance grew as Sophia entered his room. "Why did you enter without permission?" he asked gruffly.

Sophia replied calmly, "I knocked."

Caleb shot back, "Did I open the door?" as he loosened his tie, his frustration evident.

Sophia's eyes narrowed, observing her brother's tense expression. "What's wrong? There's rage all over your face," she said.

Caleb's response was curt. "Now you're concerned."

Sophia teased, "It's a woman, right?"

Caleb snapped, "None of your business."

Sophia's expression turned thoughtful. "Caleb, I'm your sister. I've always thought you were born with something wrong. You're always so expressionless. No one can read what you're thinking or feeling. But now, I can see your anger."

She paused, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "No ordinary woman can shake you up like this."

Caleb's irritation grew. "Don't you have anything better to do?"

Sophia continued, undeterred by her brother's angry face. "That woman pulled something that no one can pull."

Caleb's patience snapped. "Get out!"

Sophia smiled, her eyes glinting with amusement. "See? You're angry right now."

As she turned to leave, she murmured to herself, "Now you seem like a human."

Caleb shook his head, feeling exhausted, and collapsed onto his bed. He reached for his phone to check his messages. His eyes landed on a text from Abigail: "MD, did you get home?"

Caleb's frustration resurfaced, and he tossed his phone aside. "Is this girl determined to get under my skin?" he muttered to himself, feeling stressed and annoyed.