Chapter 193: Threat
Gianna glared at Felix. "Why'd you bring me here?"
"Bella's inside. Ask her if I really gave her the designs."
They walked into the living room where a few people were having dinner.
Natalie's eyes widened in surprise when she saw them. "Gianna, Felix, what brings you here?"
Bella and Thomas, sitting next to Natalie, turned to look. Bella quickly looked away when she saw Gianna and Felix holding hands.
Felix's expression was cold. "Natalie, I heard my cousin and his fiancée are here. I need to talk to them."
"Have you eaten? I can ask the kitchen to set two more places."
"No need, we'll leave after we've asked our questionsask."
Felix's cold gaze landed on Bella. "Gianna and I have something to ask you."
Bella put down her spoon. "If it's about the MY FASHION plagiarism issue, I have nothing to say."
"How did you get Emily Johnson's design?"
Bella's hand clenched involuntarily under Felix's icy stare. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Felix's eyes narrowed. "Do you really not understand, or are you pretending?"
The room fell silent.
Bella's face turned pale under Felix's piercing gaze.
Thomas broke the silence. "Felix, it's Gianna's company that plagiarized LR Design Studio. You should be asking Gianna's designer to apologize, not interrogating my fiancée!"
Felix's gaze hardened. "Bella knows the truth."
Thomas chuckled. "Do you have any evidence? Without proof, you're just bullying my fiancée!"
Natalie frowned. "What's going on? Can't we resolve this without making a scene?"
Felix looked at Natalie. "Natalie, please stay out of this. We'll handle it."
Natalie sighed. "I'm too old for this. Do as you wish."
She left the dining room.
Thomas glanced at her untouched chicken soup and told a servant, "Take the chicken soup to Natalie's room."
"Okay."
After the servant left, Thomas pulled Bella up from her seat, "Felix, come back with evidence next time. Otherwise, don't expect me to be nice."
Before Felix could respond, Gianna spoke up, "Thomas, this is between Bella and me. Can I talk to her alone?"
Thomas smiled coldly, "Sorry, Bella's pregnant. I don't feel comfortable leaving her alone."
Bella gave a shy smile, "Thomas, it's okay. Gianna won't hurt me. You can wait outside."
Thomas nodded, "Call me if you need anything. I'll be right outside."
"Okay."
Thomas and Felix left.
Bella smiled at Gianna, "Gianna, what do you want to say?"
"Bella, you didn't even steal the final design, just the first draft. You're not even a competent thief. No wonder LR Design Studio is struggling under your management."
Bella's face twisted in anger, "Gianna, don't accuse me. MY FASHION plagiarized LR Design Studio!"
Gianna smiled, "Don't worry, I'll find proof that LR Design Studio copied MY FASHION."
Bella's eyes were full of mockery, "Talking is useless. Let's see if you can actually do it."
Gianna didn't say anything more and turned to leave.
Once in the car, Felix looked at her, "Am I cleared now?"
Gianna pressed her lips together, "I'm sorry."
Felix was surprised. He hadn't expected an apology.
"What did Bella say?"
"Nothing."
"Then why apologize?"
"Because I doubted you over something small. I feel guilty."
Felix pulled her into his arms, "No need to apologize. It's my fault for not earning your trust."
His gentle voice made Gianna tear up. She hugged him back. "I promise I won't be so sensitive."
Felix chuckled, "It's okay. I love you just the way you are."
After calming down, Gianna pulled away, "Let's go back."
Seeing her blush, Felix smiled and started the car.
After dinner at the villa, the online narrative changed dramatically.
Faith quickly contacted Gianna, "Gianna, LR Design Studio released a draft dated earlier than Emily's. Now everyone says MY FASHION plagiarized, and LR Design Studio plans to sue!"
Gianna's eyes turned cold, "I know. Let me check."
She opened Facebook and saw MY FASHION and LR Design Studio trending. LR Design Studio had posted a draft dated a month before Emily's.
Gianna's expression hardened. Based on the timeline, it looked like Emily plagiarized. But the clothes produced by LR Design Studio were based on her revised designs, not Emily's original draft. This suggested someone from LR Design Studio had obtained her revised designs.
But how they managed to date the "initial draft" a month before Emily's needed investigation.
Once clarified, it could prove LR Design Studio plagiarized MY FASHION.
Gianna saved the image from LR Design Studio's account and sent it to Garrett.
Gianna: [Check the timestamp on this photo.]
After receiving an OK, Gianna put down her phone and went to shower.
Meanwhile, at the Johnson family home, Alexander called Emily into the study, his face full of anger.
"What's this about you plagiarizing LR Design Studio?" he demanded.
Alexander had been dining with a client who subtly mentioned the issue. He felt embarrassed.
Emily's eyes were red. She had cried several times over this.
"I didn't plagiarize. Someone from LR Design Studio must have stolen my designs!"
Alexander frowned, "Stay home until this is cleared up."
"Okay, I understand."
As she walked out, a servant handed her a black box.
"Miss Johnson, this is your package."
Emily took the box and went upstairs.
In her bedroom, she opened the box. Seeing what was inside, her face turned pale, and she ran to the bathroom to throw up.
Inside was a dead rat and a note.
[This is just the beginning. Plagiarists don't deserve to live. Next time, it won't be a rat. It will be you!]
When Gianna came out of the shower, she saw Faith had called her over a dozen times and sent numerous messages.
Just as she was about to call back, another message from Faith came through.
The moment Gianna read it, her fingers froze.
