Chapter 168:Working Together
Emily nodded, "Yeah, is there a problem?"
Gianna frowned, pointing out several issues in the design, "These are rookie mistakes. With your skills, you should avoid these easily."
Emily looked at the design, a hint of shame on her face, "Gianna, I'm sorry. I didn't notice. I promise I won't make such basic mistakes again."
Gianna didn't criticize further. She looked at Emily calmly, "Are you having some trouble lately?"
"No, Gianna. Why do you ask?"
"You don't look well."
Emily pressed her lips together and lowered her eyes. "I promise I won't let personal matters affect my work."
"Alright, go make the corrections."
Taking the design and leaving Gianna's office, Emily couldn't help but tear up.
Ever since she found out Thomas and Bella were engaged, Emily had been very upset and didn't know how to deal with her feelings.
But since they were already engaged, Emily couldn't bring herself to approach Thomas. It seemed her crush would end without resolution.
In the evening, Felix came to pick up Gianna for dinner at Harmony Garden.
Bella and Thomas were also there, and they met at the gate of Harmony Garden.
Compared to Gianna and Felix, Bella and Thomas seemed like strangers. After parking, Thomas didn't even look at Bella and walked straight into Harmony Garden.
Bella bit her lip, her face pale. The last thing she wanted was for Felix and Gianna to see her embarrassed.
She forced a smile, "Felix, Gianna, I'll go in first."
Watching Bella's back, Gianna's eyes were cold. It was all her own doing; she couldn't blame anyone else.
Turning to see Felix's deep gaze, Gianna suddenly remembered the day Bella came to plead for Julian and later Felix went out to give her an umbrella.
Instantly, a wave of dissatisfaction surged in Gianna's heart. She let go of Felix's arm and said coldly, "Feeling sorry for her? If you are, you can go comfort her."
Felix turned to look at her, frowning, "Why would I feel sorry?"
Gianna sneered, "You don't feel sorry? That day when she came to the villa to plead, you thought I was asleep and couldn't wait to give her an umbrella?"
Seeing Felix's expression stiffen, Gianna said indifferently, "If you want to give her an umbrella, just tell me. I'm not selfish, but I can't stand you hiding it from me."
After speaking, Gianna didn't bother to see Felix's reaction and turned to leave.
Entering the living room, Natalie saw Gianna and smiled, "Gianna, come sit with me. I had the kitchen prepare your favorite snacks this afternoon."
Gianna smiled and sat next to her, "Grandma, you don't have to prepare them next time. I can never finish them."
"Alright, alright." Natalie agreed readily, but she would still prepare them next time.
Sitting across from them, Bella's face twisted with anger. When she came in earlier, Natalie had greeted her coldly and then treated her like she was invisible.
Now that Gianna was here, Natalie was so enthusiastic, clearly trying to upset her!
Not wanting to see their cheerful interaction any longer, Bella stood up, "Grandma, I'm going to take a walk in the garden."
Natalie glanced at her indifferently, "Go ahead, but don't wander too far. We'll be having dinner soon."
"Okay."
Bella walked to the garden and saw Thomas sitting in the pavilion. Taking a deep breath, she quickly walked towards him.
But as soon as she sat down next to Thomas, he got up and left with a cold expression.
"Thomas, I need to talk to you," Bella called out.
Thomas stopped, looking at her coldly, "There's nothing to discuss."
"How can you say that? You want to take over the Clinton Group, and I want to get back at Gianna and Felix. Why fight? We should team up to reach our goals."
Thomas sneered, "Why would I work with you? A woman trying to get into another man's bed. Do you think I'd give you a chance?"
Bella stepped closer, whispering, "We're already tied together. Working together is the best option."
"Not interested." Thomas turned and left, not giving Bella a chance to respond, leaving her fuming.
During dinner, Natalie spoke sternly, "Thomas, since you're engaged to Bella Redstone, you should get along with her."
Thomas smirked, "Got it."
Natalie then looked at Bella, "I don't care who you wanted to marry before. From now on, remember you're Thomas's fiancée. If I find out you're doing anything disgraceful, I won't let it slide!"
Bella's face turned pale. After a moment, she lowered her head, "Grandma, I understand."
Bella cursed inwardly, thinking, 'Who I want to marry is none of your business!'
Thomas noticed Bella's white-knuckled grip on her utensils and sneered inwardly.
'With such little tolerance, she still wants to work with me? She'd only drag me down,' he thought.
The meal was silent, and after dinner, everyone left.
Before leaving, Natalie packed a lot of snacks for Gianna, which made Bella even more displeased.
Bella didn't care for the snacks, but Natalie's favoritism towards Gianna annoyed her.
On the way back, she sulked.
Thomas couldn't help but mock, "What are you angry about? Think Grandma is biased?"
"Shouldn't I be angry?! Natalie is undermining both of us. If she really cared about you, she would have given me the same things she gave Gianna, even if just for your sake!"
Thomas's grip on the steering wheel tightened, and he sneered, "You don't need to sow discord. Grandma gave me Harmony Garden. Whether she cares about me or not is not for you to judge."
"Harmony Garden and the Clinton Group—it's clear which is more important. If you could inherit the Clinton Group, you could build ten Harmony Gardens!"
The white car came to a sudden stop by the roadside.
Thomas grabbed her chin, his eyes cold, "Bella, you must be tired of living. Do you really think I won't touch you?!"
Bella looked at him coldly and laughed. "Thomas, did I hit a sore spot? Otherwise, why are you so angry?"
Thomas let go of her and sneered, "So what if you did?"
"Nothing much, just hoping you, like me, will know your place. Right now, besides the promise of Harmony Garden from Natalie, you have nothing. And until Natalie passes away, that Harmony Garden isn't even yours. There's no will yet. Who knows if she'll change her mind?"
Thomas's pupils contracted sharply, and a cold aura emanated from him.
"I hate smart-aleck women the most!" he growled.
Bella smiled, "Thomas, you might want to reconsider working with me."
