Chapter 18
<Chapter>Chapter 18 - Plans for the Year </Chapter>
Biting her lower lip, she stared at him coldly. "Aren't you afraid Bella will find out?"
Felix's gaze was icy as he pronounced each word deliberately, "That's none of your business. Just tell me whether you're willing or not."
Gianna took a deep breath and took a step back, her eyes still cold. "I refuse!"
A sarcastic laugh escaped Felix. "It seems you don't really want to divorce after all."
Gianna's face had settled into a calm mask as she replied, "I don't need to resort to such methods to get a divorce. You'll agree to it."
Seeing the certainty in her eyes, Felix was consumed with irritation and spat out coldly, "Get out!"
Gianna turned on her heel and left the master bedroom, the icy scrutiny of Felix's gaze finally lifting from her back.
Soon, Henry's birthday arrived. Early in the morning, Henry called up Julian. "Felix is coming today, right?"
Though Felix was Gianna's husband, all members of the Redstone family were cautious not to offend him. After all, many of the family's major partnerships depended on their relationship with Felix.
If Felix attended Henry's birthday bash, it would certainly be a feather in the Redstone's cap.
Julian was in the middle of breakfast when he answered, "Don't worry, Dad. Even if Gianna can't get Felix over, you still trust Belle, don't you?"
"Oh, right. I'd nearly forgotten about that. All right, I've got things to do."
Ending the call, Julian turned toward Bella. "Give Felix a call. Make sure he comes to Grandpa's birthday banquet today."
Bella felt Julian and Henry were being too anxious and couldn't help but say, "Dad, what's the big deal? Felix promised me that he would be there. Calling him again just makes the Redstones seem desperate."
Julian mulled it over and nodded in agreement. "Okay. Just make sure you take Felix to see Grandpa as soon as he arrives."
"Got it. I've got to get my hair done and pick out a gown, too. I'm heading out now."
An hour later, Bella was strolling and chatting leisurely at Dawnridge's largest shopping mall with Jasmine Astor. Jasmine was her closest friend who had recently returned from abroad.
"You're not planning on leaving us again, are you, Jasmine?" Bella inquired casually.
With a smile brightening her face, Jasmine shook her head. "I've wrapped up my work commitments overseas, so if all goes well, I should be settling down in Dawnridge for good."
Teasingly, Bella scrutinized her. "Come on, you're back for Uriah, aren't you?"
In the past, Jasmine and Uriah had dated. However, Jasmine had chosen her career over their relationship, leading to a break-up and a move overseas. Through the years, Uriah hadn't found a new girlfriend—everyone knew he was waiting for Jasmine.
A hint of coyness flashed across Jasmine's face as she playfully chided Bella, "Stop it, that's not it at all. I just feel like being closer to home to spend more time with my parents."
Seeing her friend's bashfulness, Bella didn't push further. She smiled and said, "Uriah is coming to Grandpa's birthday party tonight. I'll make sure you get a chance to catch up with him alone."
Jasmine shook her head slightly. "No need. We still have some misunderstandings to clear up, and I can handle it on my own."
"All right, just let me know if you need any help, okay?"
"Sure. Actually, there's something I need to tell you."
"What's up?"
Jasmine took out her phone, pulled up a video, and handed it to Bella. "I recorded this on Charm Color Boulevard the day I got back. I've been debating whether or not to show you."
Bella's warm smile slowly faded to an icy veneer as she watched the video of Felix and Gianna in an intimate entanglement.
"Belle, you might want to keep an eye on your twin sister. You've been away, and who knows what she's been up to. Be careful she doesn't snag Felix from you."
Jasmine was out of the loop regarding Gianna and Felix's marriage, and her immediate assumption was that Gianna was secretly luring Felix away behind Bella's back.
Bella managed a strained smile, her voice tinged with naive hope. "Jasmine, that video doesn't mean anything. Maybe my sister ran into some trouble at the bar, and Felix was just helping her out because of me."
Jasmine couldn't help but shake her head. "Belle, you have no idea. That night at the bar, she was all over a call boy, feeding each other fruit. I mean, it was like a train wreck, you know? You can't still believe she's still innocent, right?!"
After a few seconds of silence, Bella pressed her lips together and said, "Jasmine, are you saying my sister ordered a call boy? Do you have any proof?"
"I didn't record it, but the bar's surveillance definitely caught everything!"
Seeing that Bella was at a loss for words, Jasmine suddenly suggested, "Belle, I just thought of a brilliant idea!"
Bella looked at Jasmine in confusion. "What idea?"
Leaning in, Jasmine whispered a few words to Bella, who responded with a hesitant tone, "Isn't that a bit too much?"
"What's too much about it? It's settled. Don't worry, I've got this!"
"But..."
Jasmine frowned, clearly annoyed. "No buts. Trust me, I know what I'm doing!"
Bella nodded reluctantly. "Okay, fine."
The two continued their shopping spree, but Bella's mind was busy tweaking Jasmine's plan to perfection.
That wretch Gianna—if she wouldn't step aside on her own, then it was up to her to take action.
Meanwhile, Gianna headed straight to the office first thing in the morning.
When Faith dropped by to deliver some documents, she also handed over an invitation from the Redstone family. "The Redstones have invited you to Henry's birthday gala."
Seeing a hint of mockery in Faith's eyes, Gianna responded coolly, "Got too much time on your hands?"
With a smile, Faith placed the invitation on the desk. "I'm just wondering if the Redstones knew you were Anna, the founder of MY FASHION, would they regret how they treated you before?"
Faith had once witnessed Julian and Lauren's favoritism toward Bella at a party and had felt sorry for Gianna for a while.
However, after Faith's family went bankrupt and she came to MY FASHION for an interview, seeing Gianna sitting in the center with 'CEO' on the nameplate in front of her, she started thinking maybe she was the one deserving of sympathy.
Gianna glanced at her. "Aren't you bored?"
"Honey, why don't you come to the party with me? I'll introduce you as the CEO of MY FASHION to everyone—especially to see the look on that scheming bitch's face. It will be priceless!"
"Not interested. I'm going with Felix tonight."
Faith's eyes widened in shock. "Aren't you two supposed to be getting a divorce? Why would you go to a party together?"
At the mention, a flash of irritation crossed Gianna's eyes and her voice lowered. "I ran into some complications. The divorce isn't final yet."
Faith's gaze hovered doubtfully over her. "You're not having second thoughts about the divorce, are you?"
Gianna was about to reply when her phone on the table suddenly rang.
Seeing the caller ID—JM's Store Manager, Amelia Mellon—her brow furrowed in confusion.
As soon as she picked up, Amelia's anxious voice came through. "Boss, the new clerk accidentally displayed your 'Heart's Desire' design in the store, and now a customer wants to buy it for twice the price."
