Chapter 12
<Chapter>Chapter Twelve: Familiar Faces in Strange Places </Chapter>
Felix chuckles, "This is being pushy? I haven't even demanded you fulfill your marital duties!"
Gianna clenched her teeth, "In your dreams!"
"Come back with me, or I'll stay with you here. Choose."
Gianna took a deep breath, reassured by the thought that it would only be for a week, before turning and making her way toward the car parked at the curb.
Felix called after her, "Aren't you going to pack?"
With a casual expression, Gianna replied, "I'll be back in a week; no need to pack."
Felix's expression grew even darker as he entered the car without saying a word to Gianna. He picked up some documents and resumed reading.
Gianna casually glanced at the documents in his hands, her expression suddenly changing. "You're planning to buy out MY FASHION?!"
Felix frowned, his cold gaze fixing on her. "Since when have you taken an interest in my business affairs?"
A hint of sarcasm flashed in Gianna's eyes. "As if you'd fill me in just because I'm interested."
Recalling her mention of work from the previous night, Felix inquired, "You got a job at MY FASHION?"
"Yeah, and I suggest you drop the takeover bid. You're not going to succeed."
Felix's expression remained impassive. "Everything has a price."
"Go ahead and try."
No amount of money could make her part with MY FASHION!
Felix detected something amiss in Gianna's demeanor but chose not to dwell on it. He speculated that her new role at MY FASHION was fueling her resistance to the company's decline.
"What's your role at MY FASHION?"
"I'm a janitor."
Felix was taken aback.
Observing his disbelief, Gianna's tone remained indifferent. "Believe it or not."
Isn't getting rid of the company's deadwood precisely what a janitor does?
After a few seconds of silence, Felix spoke. "MY FASHION's HR really needs better glasses if they hired you for that."
Gianna scoffed. "It's typical for mediocrity to underestimate others."
Felix raised an eyebrow. "If I'm a dog, and you're my wife, what does that make you?"
As Gianna fell silent, turning her head away, signaling the end of the conversation, Felix observed her annoyed expression. Surprisingly, he found her adorable, and his voice softened.
"Your granddad's birthday is next Saturday. I'll go with you."
After a moment's thought, she nodded. "It's a good time to let them know about our divorce."
A coldness flickered in Felix's gaze as he observed her with severity. "Are you trying to celebrate his birthday or upset him?!"
Gianna looked at him, perplexed. "We have to tell them sooner or later. Why delay?"
Felix released a derisive chuckle. "You should focus on gathering that fifty million first."
His manner was taunting, openly questioning her capability to raise such a sum.
Gianna's gaze dropped, and she lapsed into silence.
An hour later, the car halted in front of the Villa. Stepping up to the door, she entered the code, and the display flashed 'Incorrect Password.'
Scowling, she turned her head to glance at Felix, who was a few steps behind her, and inquired with a frown, "Did you change the password?"
"Yeah, I changed it to your birthday."
A flash of sarcasm crossed Gianna's eyes as she stared at him. "Whether it's my birthday or Bella's, you know very well."
Turning back, she entered the password and pushed the door open to step inside.
Observing her departing silhouette, a flash of anger crossed Felix's eyes.
While changing the password, he genuinely contemplated using her birthday, unintentionally overlooking that it coincided with Bella's.
Gianna settled onto the sofa and noticed the torn divorce agreement that Felix had discarded in the trash can. Her gaze paused briefly before she casually averted her eyes.
Felix walked over and sat across from her, his expression now back to its usual iciness.
"What's for dinner?"
Gianna waved her phone, "I'll order takeout. You do whatever."
No sooner had she spoken than Felix frowned, "Takeout's not nutritious."
"I didn't ask you to eat it."
"What I mean is, it's not good for you either."
She had been scrolling through the delivery app on her phone, but at his words, she halted, gazing up at Felix with dissatisfaction. "If I don't eat takeout, what should I eat? Air?"
"Cook something yourself."
Gianna remained silent for a moment, then spoke indifferently, "I don't have time. If you want to eat, cook it yourself."
Felix didn't respond and stood up to head toward the fridge.
Seeing this, a flash of surprise crossed Gianna's eyes. She'd only made an offhand remark and hadn't expected Felix actually to take action.
Swiftly, she resumed her emotionless facade, placed her order for the fried chicken she'd chosen, and then headed upstairs to shower.
She avoided the master bedroom and instead entered the adjacent guest room.
The guest room also had an en suite bathroom. After showering and descending downstairs, the fried chicken hadn't arrived. Checking the delivery app, which indicated it had been delivered, she called the delivery guy.
Learning the order had been delivered twenty minutes ago, Gianna frowned, scanned the room, and finally spotted her fried chicken in the trash can.
She ended the call and stormed toward the kitchen, but just as she reached the entrance, Felix came out with a bowl of soup.
They bumped into each other, and the hot soup splashed out of the bowl.
Observing the scalding liquid about to hit Gianna, Felix swiftly pushed her out of the way, taking the splash on his own arm instead. His skin turned red and blistered instantly.
Stunned for a moment, Gianna frowned.
”I'll grab the first aid kit to take care of that.”
Once she had dealt with her injury, Gianna prepared to store the medicine box but caught Felix staring at her intently. She frowned, her tone taking on a frosty edge, "I'm sorry about earlier, but this wouldn't have happened if you hadn't tossed my takeout."
Felix was silent for a few seconds before replying, "I just didn't want you eating junk. I thought maybe you’d rather have dinner with me."
Gianna's expression remained indifferent. "No need. I'm going to order something again. Felix, we're getting divorced in a week. It's best if we keep our distance until then."
Felix's brows furrowed as he held her gaze. "Are you set on the divorce?"
With a calm yet firm voice, Gianna affirmed, "Yes!"
"Gianna, I think we could still—"
She cut him off sharply. "No need to say anything. Once I've made a decision, I won't go back on it. In a week, you'll get your fifty million. Just make sure you keep your word."
Without another glance at Felix's troubled expression, Gianna turned and walked away.
On the upper floor, Gianna opted against reordering takeout, not wanting to risk another encounter with Felix at the door. She powered on her phone and accessed a website she hadn't visited for three years, logging in with her username and password.
Upon logging in, a golden circle appeared on the screen, along with a line of English text welcoming her back to Full Moon Boulevard.
With an icy demeanor, Gianna navigated the mission interface, intending to earn fifty million within the week. This seemed to be her only option.
Suddenly, a chat box popped up on the left side of the screen.
The sender was named "Vulture," represented with a stark black avatar.
“Is this the real Iris???”
“...” Gianna was speechless.
“Looks like it's really you. You've been gone for three years; I thought you might've died on a mission. Seeing your avatar light up just now felt like you've come back from the dead.”
Vulture had been a frequent partner on missions with her in the past. However, they had consistently concealed their identities, keeping their real-life personas a secret from each other.
“Had some things to deal with these past three years,” Gianna replied.
“You're back online. Planning to start taking on missions again?”
“Yes.”
“Great timing. I've got a mission on hand that needs a partner. Fifty million in commission split down the middle upon completion. Interested?”
“Send me the time and details.”
Vulture promptly sent an encrypted file, which Gianna effortlessly cracked due to her practiced skills. After reviewing the details, she responded with a simple "OK." Vulture didn't linger, logging off shortly after.
After some more browsing, Gianna accepted another mission with a thirty million commission and then logged out.
Completing these two tasks will net me a whopping fifty million.
Finally, Gianna sensed a heavy weight lifting off her chest. After organizing her schedule, she headed straight to bed.
The following morning, the persistent ring of the doorbell painfully dragged her out of sleep.
Initially, she tried to ignore it, but the incessant ringing slaughtered what little desire for rest remained.
Glancing at the clock, which read 6:05 AM, she thought, 'This better be good!'
Heading downstairs to open the door, she was met by the sight of Bella. Gianna couldn't help but frown at her presence.
Bella's face was the picture of shock, her complexion turning a shade paler, "Sis, what are you doing here?!"
