Chapter 21
<Chapter>Chapter Twenty-One: Dawn's Arrival </Chapter>
Gianna responded with a lack of interest, "Say what you will."
"You!" With a cold voice, Lauren pointed at her and said, "I've always disliked your distant attitude!"
"Do you have anything else?"
Gianna showed impatience in her eyes, which reignited Lauren's almost hidden anger.
"Is that how you speak to me, Gianna?!"
Noticing Lauren's irritation, Gianna glanced at her. "What kind of response are you looking for?"
Lauren's face showed clear dislike, "Forget it. I'm tired of arguing with you. Belle is back. When do you plan on divorcing Felix?"
"What does Bella's return have to do with my marriage to Felix?"
With a huff, Lauren snapped, "Don't play dumb with me. It's clear as day that Felix and Belle are into each other. You're just making a fool of yourself by getting in the middle!"
Gianna's face remained impassive. "Felix is my husband. I'm not the one stuck in the middle here, nor am I the butt of the joke."
Lauren became furious, grinding her teeth. "Are you telling me there are no other men left in the world? Why on earth are you trying to compete with Belle?"
Gianna responded deliberately, a cold smile playing on her lips, " Lauren, let's get one thing straight, it's Bella who's trying to compete with me. Instead of pressuring me to initiate a divorce, why don't you encourage Bella to step up her game? If she can get Felix to ask for a divorce, I'll sign the papers in a heartbeat. I have no intention of clinging to him."
"Fine! Just remember your words, Gianna!"
Without another word, Gianna turned and left.
Returning to the banquet hall, Gianna arrived just in time to hear Henry delivering his birthday speech.
Uninterested, Gianna sought out a quiet corner in the banquet hall, where she sat down and pulled out her phone to play a round of Candy Crush. However, her concentration was soon interrupted by someone sitting next to her. Glancing over, she saw Faith and briefly met her gaze before returning her focus to her game.
Faith looked at Gianna's phone and smirked. "Still not tired of this after all these years?"
"Not at all."
Faith couldn't help but infer from the poised profile of Gianna that she was in many ways superior to Bella. How could the Redstones be so blind? And Felix, too.
Recalling the scene she witnessed in the garden, anger sparked in Faith's eyes, but she couldn't resist commenting, "I saw Felix and Bella all over each other in the garden earlier. Almost made me sick!"
Gianna continued her game unfazed. "They're a couple; you're going to see a lot more of that from now on. You might as well get used to it."
"I can't get used to it. Felix, of all people, how can he be so blind? Why go for Bella, that manipulator?"
Gianna completed her game, tucked away her phone, and turned to look at Faith. "To each their own, I guess. When you like someone, you tend to overlook their faults."
Observing Gianna's composed demeanor, Faith couldn't help but frown. "But you and Felix aren't even divorced yet. Are you really okay with being cuckolded?"
"What else can I do? Our secret marriage isn't widely known, so their behavior doesn't seem strange to others."
Faith fell silent, then gave Gianna's shoulder a reassuring pat. "You deserve better. I'll make sure to treat you right from now on."
"No need to wait—treat me well now. I'd like some cupcakes . Why don't you grab a few for me?"
Faith couldn't help but chuckle. "All right, I'll get them for you!"
Shortly after Faith left, Henry exited the stage, passing the spotlight to Chloe.
Henry and Kimberly were blessed with three children. Their eldest, Julian, had married Lauren, and together they welcomed twin girls named Isabella and Ella. Their second son, Peter, and his wife, Leah, had a daughter named Chloe and a son named Micah. The youngest, Teresa, had married Thundertop and was reportedly handling some family matters, intending to return later.
Chloe, now studying at Capital University, was quite an outstanding individual, greatly adored by the Redstone family.
On stage, Chloe was presenting a video she had created to celebrate Henry's birthday. Just seconds into the video, the screen suddenly went black, leaving everyone puzzled and suspecting a technical glitch. However, moments later, the screen lit up again, but this time the content had switched to a surveillance video.
Gianna squinted her eyes, a cold smirk playing on her lips.
Displayed on the screen was footage of Gianna and Faith at Charm Color Boulevard, where they had chosen two male models. In the footage, Gianna, having lost a bet, was seen feeding fruit to one of the models, the scene looping for all to witness.
Initially shocked, the guests' attention soon shifted subtly towards Gianna as murmurs spread rapidly throughout the room.
"Goodness gracious! Who would've thought the Redstones' prodigal daughter would be so daring, openly entertaining male models!"
"Clearly, she's been influenced by being raised abroad. The Redstones must be regretting ever bringing her back . Their reputation's at stake!"
"If I were Julian and Lauren, I'd be furious! We came to celebrate Henry's birthday, not to witness drama unfold!"
Chloe’ s face flushed with embarrassment as she caught Henry's displeased glare. She wasn't naive; she knew she had been set up.
And the person who had orchestrated it was the one who stood to gain the most, naturally.
Henry's furious demeanor was now unmistakable, far beyond just being stone-faced.
"Julian, Lauren, this is the fine daughter you’ ve raised! You've completely tarnished my name!"
Julian's expression tightened slightly as he spoke urgently, "Dad, the priority is to get this mess straightened out."
Henry's anger burned with intensity, "What's there to explain? Do you want to bring even more shame upon us?"
Lauren was boiling with rage, "If you ask me, we should just cut her off. Otherwise, who knows what kind of mess she'll stir up next!"
Julian gave her a chilling glance. "Shut your mouth! This wouldn't have happened if you had kept an eye on her."
Feeling unjustly accused, Lauren fired back, "How is this my fault? She's been out and about for years! Who knows who she's been picking up these sleazy tricks from!"
"Enough! Both of you, stop it! Do we really need more chaos? She's not setting foot in the Redstone family home ever again!"
Julian was on the verge of replying, but Lauren interrupted him by grabbing his arm. "Can't you see Dad is fuming right now? Anything you say is just going to make him angrier!"
Julian clenched his jaw, swallowing his frustration. Dealing with Gianna was nothing but a headache. He had believed she and Felix were on good terms, but now she had stirred up this scandal.
Observing Julian and Lauren's sudden silence, Kimberly furrowed her brows, "Let her come and explain all this herself!"
Right then, Felix and Bella walked into the ballroom and noticed the content on the screen, with very different reactions. A smug glint passed through Bella's eyes—Jasmine Astor's plan had worked like a charm. Now, everyone must think Gianna is nothing but trash!
In contrast, Felix appeared solemn as he swiftly approached Gianna's side. "What the heck is going on here?!" he demanded coolly.
Gianna glanced at him nonchalantly. "You're asking me? I'd like to know who did this. Apart from Faith, you were the only one who knew I went to the bar, and Faith wouldn't do such a thing."
Felix's expression turned cold as ice. "Are you suspecting me?!"
