Chapter 178 Not Even Worthy to Being the Forbes Family's Servant
"Saskia, who do you think you are? Do you even deserve to talk to me here?" Bella's voice was raspy and her tone was so nasty it made people cringe.
Saskia expected her sarcasm, so she just shrugged it off. "If a nutcase like you can come out and scare people, why can't I stand here and talk?"
"I'm warning you, you're no longer part of the Stuart family. If you mess with me, I won't let you off easy!" Saskia never sucked up to Bella like Isla did, so Bella couldn't stand her.
Saskia patted her chest and said softly, "Oh, so scary. You should take care of yourself first so you don't get sick and try to blame me."
Katniss gently tugged on Saskia's sleeve, signaling her not to push it, even though Bella was clearly hostile.
After all, if Bella really got sick from anger, they'd be in trouble.
"I'm not wasting my breath on you." Bella's chest heaved with anger, afraid she'd lose her cool and become a laughingstock.
She turned her gaze to Katniss, her eyes dark and fierce. "Katniss, have you looked in the mirror? Do you think you're worthy of Tristan? You're not even worthy of being the Forbes family's servant!"
The status gap was always something Bella prided herself on.
In the past, this might have made Katniss back down, but not anymore. "Whether I'm worthy of being the Forbes family's servant is none of your concern, Miss Astor. You should worry more about your health."
Bella sneered, "So arrogant? Do you think just because you have Tristan's love, you can do whatever you want? Tristan is no longer the powerful CEO of Synergy Global Corporation. Let's see if he can still protect you!"
With that, she turned and sat down, seemingly more at ease after her harsh words.
She seemed in a better mood and even joined in on their conversation.
Saskia squeezed Katniss's arm and whispered, "Ignore her. Even if this isn't Velvet City and Tristan isn't at Synergy Global Corporation, people still have to respect him."
After all, he was from the Forbes family.
The dining room was lit up by a dazzling crystal chandelier, and Tristan, dressed in a white shirt, held a cigarette between his fingers.
The smoke made his already striking face even more alluring, and his long eyes lowered in thought.
His posture was relaxed yet noble. The phrase 'golden child' flashed through Katniss's mind.
Even without the Forbes family, Tristan was exceptional, having graduated from a prestigious university and made significant breakthroughs in his field.
After graduation, he joined Synergy Global Corporation and in just three years, he made the company soar.
Sure, the Forbes name opened doors, but it was his own talent that made him a success.
He was already a big deal in the business world.
"It seems being with Tristan is a long-term battle. I need to stay strong," Katniss took a deep breath. In the past, she hesitated because of money; without it, Sophia's life would be at risk.
But now, she had nothing to fear.
"Don't you already know if he's ‘long-term’ or not?" Saskia teased.
Katniss's ears turned red instantly, and she shot Saskia a playful yet annoyed look. "Not as long-term as you and Nicholas. How long has it been now?"
Saskia sneered, "He's an idiot, trying to imitate Tristan's domineering CEO act. But he forgets I'm not you; I have a fiery temper!"
A few words made Katniss laugh, dispelling the gloom brought by Bella.
Around eleven o'clock, Eudora suggested leaving. "Aaron is still young and shouldn't stay up late. Let's call it a night."
Hearing this, Nicholas immediately stood up to leave.
But Michael remained seated, "You take Aaron back first. We'll stay a bit longer; it's been a while since we last met."
Katniss and Tristan had already stood up to see the guests off. Tristan's long arms circled her wrist, gently rubbing the delicate skin.
Hearing Michael's words, Katniss stopped in her tracks.
Tristan frowned, a cold look in his eyes.
The temperature in the dining room seemed to drop a few degrees.
Eudora, who had already picked up her bag, said, "Stay? Don't they need to rest? Katniss has to tutor Aaron tomorrow. If she's not in good spirits, I'll hold you responsible."
After her playful remark, she walked over to Michael and patted his shoulder. "Let's go together."
"Alright," Michael replied softly, giving Bella a look, and Bella quickly stood up.
It was strange, but neither Michael nor Bella made any further moves.
Under Eudora's 'summons,' Michael and the others left.
Katniss and Tristan stood at the door, watching them get into their respective cars.
Through the half-lowered car window, Bella looked resentful, while Michael waved at them nonchalantly.
Tristan just nodded in acknowledgment. As soon as they left and before the cars disappeared, he embraced Katniss and headed back inside.
Ryan and the bodyguard were cleaning up the mess in the dining room. Katniss rolled up her sleeves, ready to help.
Ryan quickly refused, "Ms. Grey, you don't need to do this. It's our job."
He already felt his job was on shaky ground, and if he couldn't handle this, he might really be close to getting fired.
With many hands, they quickly packed the hotel's dishes into a box.
They set the tables and chairs back in place and cleaned everything up. "Mr. Forbes, Ms. Grey, have a pleasant evening."
Ryan smiled slightly, waved, and led the bodyguards out quickly.
Their footsteps grew distant, muffled by the apartment door.
Katniss turned to see Tristan standing at the staircase, his tall figure leaning against the banister.
His expression was calm, and when she looked over, he raised an eyebrow, a mysterious smile playing on his lips.
She sniffed, glanced at the empty room, and pointed to the large TV in the living room. "I don't know if the colors are vibrant enough, and since I'm not sleepy, how about we watch some TV?"
"You like it here?" Tristan sounded a bit surprised as he walked over.
"Sure," she said.
The faint words Tristan said, ending on an upward note, held an ambiguous meaning. That voice seemed to tug at Katniss's heart, making it tingle.
They turned off the chandelier in the dining room and living room, leaving only the dim lights around the walls.
The room was dimly lit, creating a perfect atmosphere. When the TV was turned on, it automatically adjusted the brightness so that it was not too harsh on the eyes.
Katniss didn't really intend to watch TV; she didn't even pick up the remote, letting whatever was on play.
She wasn't paying attention, lying in Tristan's arms as he held her down.
He leaned back on the sofa, holding her, his strong heartbeat echoing in her ears.
It seemed louder than the TV.
The faint scent of smoke and alcohol, a smell she found strangely alluring, lingered in the air around her.
"So, you like watching this?" His deep voice sounded in her ear.
Katniss was startled, focusing on the TV screen.
[Animal World: Mating Season.]
A majestic lion and lioness chasing each other on the vast savannah.
Who liked watching this? Why couldn't the TV play a romance movie?
But romance movies also had scenes not suitable for watching during a quiet night in the heat of passion.
They could be too stimulating.
He tightened his grip around her, his breath mixed with a hint of laughter. "You can't escape. The sooner we start, the sooner we sleep."
Half persuading, half serious.
It made Katniss realize he had a point. She decisively got up and turned off the TV.
In the moonlight, she returned to the sofa, took Tristan's hand, and led him upstairs.
The night was long, and the bright moonlight hid behind the clouds.
A speeding car came to a steady stop at the gates of Celestial Villas.
Aaron opened the car door and went inside without looking back, and Eudora, who got out after him, didn't bother with him either.
After Tristan moved out, she moved her things into his old room.
She even filled Tristan's study with her belongings.
On the long table were several sheets of paper for writing, and next to them, a Bible.
She wore a light yellow silk nightgown.
Her delicately painted fingernails reflected a golden sheen under the light.
Her pen danced across the page, leaving behind a trail of elegant script. Occasionally, she'd glance at the Bible beside her for inspiration.
In just half an hour, she finished copying a passage from the Bible.
She set the paper aside to dry, and after a few seconds of contemplation, she wrote a phrase: [To praise someone to death.]
The phrase filled the entire sheet. She stood by the half-open window, waiting for the ink to dry.
Then she rolled up the paper and tied it with a small red ribbon.
Opening the safe, she placed it among several other similar papers tied with red ribbons.
The bottom one had yellowed edges, showing its age.
She placed the new paper inside and locked the safe.
The sudden ringing of her phone was particularly jarring in the quiet night, but she acted as if she didn't hear it.
After putting away the paper and pen, she took the phone back to her bedroom and answered it. "Michael, you're still up this late? How's Bella? You shouldn't have brought her; I was afraid she'd have an episode."
"She insisted on coming. Don't worry. Her primary doctor is with her." Michael's voice was calm, revealing no emotion. "What do you think about Tristan and Katniss being together?"
After a few seconds of silence, Eudora laughed, "Why ask me? From Bella's perspective, of course, I'd feel bad for her, but no one can change Tristan's choice. As long as I don't have to marry him, it's fine."
"Don't worry, I'll help you. I won't let you marry him." His reassuring words came through the phone.
Though Michael wasn't in front of her, Eudora could imagine his seriousness as he spoke.
She chuckled softly, her tone gentle, "Thank you, Michael. You're so good to me."
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