Chapter 170: I Won't Like Him
"In the future, I'll always side with you over Bella and try to avoid her," Felix said.
Gianna paused, then nodded, "Alright, but I hope you mean it."
They made up, but both knew things wouldn't be the same. They silently agreed not to bring it up again.
For the next week, Gianna was busy with design drafts with Emily, leaving early and coming home late every day.
Then Delilah called, telling her Laura had been fired from the production team and that there were rumors online of Laura being involved with someone.
"Gianna, Laura's had a rough time lately. If you can, please go comfort her," Delilah said.
Gianna got the hotel address and went straight there.
Laura looked surprised to see her, then frowned, "Did Delilah send you?"
Gianna nodded, "Don't blame Delilah. I've been so busy I missed the news. I would've come sooner."
"I'm fine. Delilah just exaggerates."
Gianna didn't push it and sat next to Laura, "What happened? Why did they fire you?"
Laura shrugged, "Jasmine's boyfriend is the main investor of the show. He threatened to pull his money unless they replaced me. The director caved."
Before Laura was famous, she often got replaced in minor roles. She didn't expect it to happen now, even as a top-tier artist.
Gianna frowned, "And what about the online rumors about you being involved with someone?"
Laura's face darkened, "It's Mitchell's fault. He visited me when I was hurt, and reporters twisted it. They pixelated our faces, but I was still recognized."
Gianna was silent for a moment, "Has Mitchell came out to explain anything?"
"Nothing. If he explained, it would confirm it was him. I'm not dealing with it. Once the hype dies down, no one will care."
"Alright, I was worried you'd be upset. Glad to see you're okay."
Laura smiled confidently, "I climbed up from nothing. This won't defeat me."
Gianna smiled too, "Good. Now that you have some free time, treat it as a vacation. You haven't rested in years."
Laura shook her head, "My mom said my brother's buying a house and getting married. She wants me to pay. I had to turn down a TV series for 'Manyyears'. Now that the movie's off, I'll take that job."
Gianna frowned, "Isn't the money you send home enough?"
Laura sighed, "The bride's family wants a house in Thundertop, a standalone villa costing over fifty million."
"Laura, you shouldn't keep giving your family money like this. Since you became a movie star, most of your earnings go to them. They used to be an ordinary family, but now they just expect you to buy your brother a wedding house. They don't see you as family. They see you as a cash cow." Gianna hesitated to say this, feeling it wasn't her place, but Laura needed to face reality.
Laura pressed her lips together and looked down, "I've already told them this is the last time. After this, I won't help my family anymore."
Seeing her determined look, Gianna wanted to say more but just replied, "Alright, as long as you've thought it through."
They ended the topic. After comforting Laura for a bit, Gianna got up to leave.
As she opened the door, she saw a woman who looked like a servant about to knock.
The woman looked surprised, "Gianna, what are you doing here?"
"How do you know me?"
The woman smiled, "I'm the housekeeper for the Lisa family. I've seen you at the Lisa family gatherings with Julian and Lauren."
Julian and Lauren had never taken her to any gatherings, so the woman must have mistaken her for Bella.
"You've got the wrong person. I'm Gianna. Why are you here?"
The only link between Laura and the Lisa family was Mitchell. The housekeeper's visit was probably about the photos.
Realizing her mistake, the woman apologized, "Mrs. Lisa wants to meet Laura. I came here following the address and didn't expect to find you in the room."
Gianna frowned, about to speak, when Laura's voice came from inside.
"I don't know what Mrs. Lisa wants, but if it's about Mitchell, tell her I know my place and won't cling to him."
Seeing Gianna there, the housekeeper didn't want to make a scene and left.
Gianna felt something was off. After the housekeeper left, she turned to Laura and asked, "Has the Lisa family approached you before?"
Laura nodded, "After Mitchell invested in my last project, Mrs. Lisa approached me and warned me not to get any ideas. She said Mitchell was just fooling around and the Lisa family would never let an actress marry into the family."
Mrs. Lisa's words were harsh, but Laura had no interest in Mitchell and had retorted back.
Gianna frowned, "Does Mitchell know about this?"
"I'm not sure, but he probably does. It doesn't matter. There was never going to be anything between us, and I don't like him."
Seeing her expressionless face, Gianna felt concerned, sensing Laura's feelings for Mitchell might not be as indifferent as she claimed.
But matters of the heart were not something she could meddle in.
"Alright, you get some rest. I'm heading back," Gianna said.
Returning to the villa, Gianna saw Felix on the couch reading documents, with the food on the table untouched. She then remembered him calling her earlier in the day to ask her to have dinner together.
Hearing the door open, Felix put down the documents and looked up at Gianna, "You're home. The food's cold. I'll heat it up."
Gianna pressed her lips together, expecting Felix to ask where she had been, but he didn't.
For some reason, her heart sank a little.
During dinner, Gianna couldn't help but look at Felix, "Why don't you ask why I came back so late?"
