Chapter 201
Gianna pursed her lips, stayed quiet for a bit, then said, "I'm not sure, but this soup tastes off."
Felix frowned, He questioned, "You brought it over so Natalie wouldn't drink it?"
Gianna nodded and said, "Yeah, but I'm not sure if there's really an issue."
She had secretly saved some of the chicken soup to get it tested later.
Felix suggested, "If it seems weird, just toss it."
Gianna asked, "What do we tell Grandma?"
Felix assured her, "I'll handle it."
A few minutes later, a loud "bang" came from the kitchen, startling Natalie. She quickly sent Celeste to check.
Felix pulled Gianna out of the kitchen, and Gianna looked guilty.
Gianna apologized, "Grandma, I'm sorry. The soup was too hot, and I accidentally dropped it."
Natalie looked disappointed. She had been craving chicken soup in the hospital, but Thomas kept bringing ribs.
Natalie remarked, "Is that so? It's okay, I'll have the kitchen make more later."
Gianna frowned, thinking of how to stop Natalie, when Felix said, "Grandma, don't drink it tonight. Chicken soup needs at least two hours to simmer, and it's too late now; it won't digest well."
Natalie looked skeptical and asked, "Is that true?"
Gianna quickly added, "Yes, Natalie. Chicken soup is oily and heavy at night."
Natalie trusted Gianna and nodded in agreement, saying, "Alright then."
After dinner, Gianna and Felix left.
But Natalie couldn't sleep. She eventually had Celeste make chicken soup and drank it before bed.
Back home, Gianna gave the soup to Felix to get it tested. It was sent overnight to a reputable lab in Thundertop.
Late at night, Bella finished work at LR Design Studio and decided to go back to the Redstone family.
Entering the villa, she saw Lauren sitting on the sofa, looking dazed.
Bella asked with concern, "Lauren, why are you up so late?"
Lauren was startled. Seeing Bella, she looked reproachful.
"Bella, where have you been? I've called you so many times, why didn't you answer?" Lauren said anxiously.
Bella frowned and asked, "Lauren, haven't you been watching the news?"
She thought Lauren was calling about the plagiarism issue, so she hadn't answered.
Lauren looked confused and questioned, "What news?"
Bella hesitated, then said, "Nothing, I've been really tired from work. I'll rest and talk tomorrow."
After Bella went upstairs, Lauren called the maid Aurora and asked if anything had happened recently.
Aurora hesitated but finally spoke.
Lauren said coldly, "Speak!"
Aurora told her about LR Design Studio suing MY FASHION for plagiarism and losing.
Lauren's face turned ugly. No wonder Aurora had been so cautious.
Julian had gone on a business trip a week ago, taking Daisy with him.
Because of this, Lauren hadn't been eating or sleeping well and hadn't gone out to play cards. Bella, whom she had always been proud of, had lost face so badly. She couldn't imagine how her card-playing friends were laughing at her.
Thinking about it, Lauren's face turned even paler.
The next morning, Bella came downstairs and saw Lauren still on the sofa, looking the same as yesterday. She frowned at the sight.
Bella asked, "Lauren, did you stay up all night?"
Lauren looked up, gritting her teeth, and said, "You did something so disgraceful, how could I sleep?"
Bella's face went pale, then asked, "Lauren, do you think I plagiarized Gianna too?"
Lauren said angrily, "What else? The court's verdict is out!"
Bella's eyes reddened as she explained, "Gianna bribed the court. Otherwise, LR Design Studio wouldn't have lost. And now Felix likes her and supports her. If I go against my sister, Felix will take back LR Design Studio."
Lauren looked doubtful, and questioned, "Does Gianna have that much power?"
Bella answered, "She doesn't, but Felix does."
After a moment of silence, Lauren still found it hard to believe. She doubted, "You were with Felix for a while. Would he really turn against you for Gianna?"
Bella shed a few tears, then complained, "I don't know what Gianna said to him, but Felix is very cold to me now. I can't even see him. He's already changed his mind. I just didn't want to admit it."
Hearing this, Lauren thought of Julian, and anger surged in her heart as she remarked, "Men are all the same!"
Bella was stunned, thinking, 'Shouldn't Lauren be helping her scold Gianna right now?'
Bella said pitifully, "Lauren, I'm already engaged to Thomas. There's no chance with Felix anymore. I just want to manage LR Design Studio well and avoid more conflicts with my sister."
Lauren lowered her eyes, after a few seconds, slowly said, "That's good. Felix likes her now, and there's no benefit in opposing her. We can deal with her when Felix gets tired of her."
Bella looked incredulous. Lauren had always disliked Gianna and would curse her every time she was mentioned. Why was she so calm this time?
Bella inquired, "Lauren, have you been dealing with something recently? You called me a few days ago, and I was very busy. I forgot to call back."
Lauren sighed and replied, "It's nothing. You go to work. I can handle it."
Bella quickly walked over, squatted down, and held her hand as she said, "What's going on? If you don't tell me, I'll be more worried."
Seeing Bella's concerned eyes, Lauren finally let out her sadness and pain. She choked up, "Your dad cheated."
On Monday morning, as soon as Gianna arrived at MY FASHION, she saw Emily getting out of a car.
A look of surprise flashed in her eyes as she asked, "Emily, weren't you on a trip to relax?"
Emily no longer showed the panic and despair from when she was wronged. She smiled and walked up to Gianna, and said appreciatively, "I saw the news about LR Design Studio losing the case and came back immediately. Gianna, thank you for finding the evidence and clearing my name."
Gianna smiled gently, then remarked, "It's my duty. You're an employee of MY FASHION, and protecting your interests is protecting the company's interests."
Emily nodded and informed, "My dad wants to invite you to dinner to thank you. When are you available?"
Gianna replied, "No need for dinner. Please thank Mr. Johnson for me. Since you're back, are you ready to start designing for the next season?"
Emily smiled and said, "Gianna, I think I still have three days of vacation left."
Gianna proposed, "You can end your vacation early."
Emily pondered for a moment, and replied, "I can come back to work early, but I need to ask you to get me someone."
Gianna raised eyebrows in curiosity, asking, "Who?"
