Chapter 236
Connor argued, "I thought Thomas was just upset because Jesse and Maria had died. I planned to talk to him once he calmed down, but he left so suddenly."
Ximena sneered, "You liked Maria, didn't you? That's why you didn't say anything to Thomas."
Connor stood up, eyes blazing. "Ximena, if you keep this up, we're getting a divorce!"
"Am I wrong? I know you keep her photo in your desk and look at it."
Connor, humiliated, raised his hand to hit her, but Felix stopped him.
Ximena said coldly, "Felix, let him go! If he hits me, I'll tell everyone about his feelings for Maria."
"You!"
Connor, furious but restrained by Felix, shouted, "I want a divorce!"
"Fine! You think I care?"
Felix frowned and said, "If you want to argue, do it at the old house. Not here."
Felix had always known his parents didn't get along. Connor rarely came home, and when he did, he stayed in his study. Felix remembered when Hannah won an award and went to ask Connor for a reward, only to be scolded and told to stay out of the study. Ximena, more interested in playing cards, didn't care about her family. Felix and Hannah were raised by servants until Natalie took them to Harmony Garden.
Felix had little affection for his parents.
Ximena took a deep breath. "Let's deal with Felix's issue first. We'll talk later."
Felix remaiened indifferent and said, "I'll handle it myself."
Ximena frowned, "Thomas is back to take the Clinton Group and get revenge on us. Even if we don't intervene, he'll come after us."
Felix replied, "So what's your plan?"
"We'll talk to Thomas first."
"Do what you want, but don't expect much."
Thomas had hated them for years. Telling him he was wrong wouldn't change his mind. His belief was too strong to collapse now.
After they left, Felix went upstairs to find Gianna. She walked out, rubbing her forehead, "Did your parents leave?"
"Yeah, and the takeout's here. Let's eat."
Seeing the red veins in her eyes, Felix felt a pang of heartache, "I can handle the Ivy situation. You should rest for a few days."
Gianna shook her head, "There's too much going on at the company. Faith's still off, and the secretary just called about the lawsuit with LR Design Studio going to court. I can't rest."
"After this busy period, I'll take you out to relax."
"Okay."
After dinner, Gianna rested a bit, then went to the study to keep working.
Meanwhile, Thomas got back to the villa. Seeing Bella having dinner, he sat beside her and asked the servant for another set of utensils.
Bella glanced at him, noticing his smile, "What's the good news today?"
Thomas's smile widened, "Didn't you watch the news?"
"What news?"
She'd been feeling sick all day and had just started feeling better.
"You'll know when you see it."
Bella opened her phone and browsed Facebook, but only saw celebrity gossip, nothing about Thomas.
Seeing her indifferent expression, Thomas took the phone from her. Finding no news about Felix on Facebook's trending topics, he frowned and quickly checked the browser, still finding nothing.
Thomas's face darkened, and he called his secretary, "What's going on with the trending topics on Facebook? Didn't I say Felix's issue should be the top trend for at least three days?"
After a moment, the secretary's trembling voice replied, "Thomas, I've already paid the advertisers. I'll find out what's happening right away!"
Thomas angrily hung up, losing his appetite.
Bella frowned, "What's this Felix issue you're talking about?"
Thomas sneered, "What? Didn't you say you didn't like him anymore? Why are you so concerned now?"
"You told me to check the trending topics. Now I'm just curious. If you're going to overthink it, then don't bring up Felix in front of me again!"
He grabbed her neck, and Bella panicked, slapping his arm, "Let me go..."
As Thomas saw her face turn red, his eyes were cold, "Bella, just because I'm keeping the baby doesn't mean you can talk to me like this. If it happens again, I won't let you off!"
He released her and walked away. Bella started coughing violently, tears welling up as she stared at his back with growing hatred. She vowed never to live under someone else's control forever.
In the bathroom, she saw the bruises on her neck in the mirror, her eyes turning cold. After her shower, she dried her hair, closed the bedroom door, put on headphones, and opened a monitoring app on her phone.
Soon, Thomas's cold voice came through, "Have Facebook's staff check what went wrong. Felix's trending topic must be back at the top!
"I don't care what method you use. I just want results! Felix's reputation must be completely ruined!"
