Chapter 24
<Chapter>Chapter 24: Unraveling the Knot </Chapter>
Aidan had barely finished speaking when several shareholders voiced their agreement.
"It's the same on my end. Everything's fallen into disarray! The workload that used to be for three now falls on one. Who can withstand that?!"
"If this keeps up, I can see MY FASHION going under!"
"Look, even though you founded MY FASHION, Gianna, it's been years since you've been actively involved in the company. You can't just expect to take giant leaps instead of measured steps," one of the shareholders argued.
Gianna didn't immediately respond to their comment. Instead, she turned to Faith with a neutral expression, "Show me the recent business reports from Aidan's department."
Aidan's expression changed. "Gianna, what's this about? Don't you trust me?"
As Faith handed her the documents, Gianna offered a slight smile and said, "Aidan, I trust numbers more than reputations. Data doesn't lie to me."
"You—" Aidan was furious, his face turning a shade of stormy blue, but Gianna had already closed the files and was looking at him with cold eyes.
"The department you're overseeing has merely five projects. Three of them have deadlines six months from now, and two started a year ago and still aren't finished. You should be asking yourself why your team, despite its size, couldn't complete even two projects in a year."
Aidan's face flushed with various shades of emotion as Gianna's words hit home. Through clenched teeth, he managed to say, "Those two projects are nearly done. And everyone else is already tied up with their work; it’s not as if I can just have them drop everything to fix these issues!"
Gianna's tone was icy, "How you handle this is your business, not mine. I'm interested in the end result. Moreover, your department hasn't secured a single partnership this year. If your team can't contribute to the company's profits, I might have to consider shutting down those sectors by year's end."
Aidan appeared utterly defeated, glaring at Gianna with icy eyes. "Gianna, this company isn't yours alone; you can't make decisions like this unilaterally."
Gianna raised an eyebrow, her words deliberate and distinct, "Then let's see what the numbers say at the end of the year. If your department continues to hemorrhage funds, it'll affect the dividends of other shareholders as well."
At this statement, the atmosphere noticeably changed. Shareholders who had intended to confront her, like Aidan, suddenly felt a chill run down their spines.
Without sparing another glance for Aidan, Gianna's detachment was evident as she spoke, "I will set quarterly and yearly benchmarks for each department. If there’s a significant shortfall, those in charge will either step down or see their department shut down."
With no one else speaking up, Gianna rose to her feet and announced, "If there's nothing else, this meeting is adjourned."
Aidan's eyes bore into her retreating figure, filled with silent fury.
Over the following days, Gianna was absorbed in company matters, barely intersecting with Felix. Their only encounters were brief moments each day when leaving and returning home.
The day before Faith's birthday came quicker than Gianna expected. As soon as she finished work, she went straight to JM Boutique to pick up the dress she had prepared for Faith's special day.
Entering the mall, Gianna immediately spotted Bella and Ximena, arm in arm, enjoying a shopping spree together.
Their expressions shifted at the sight of Gianna.
Ximena furrowed her brows and spoke in a chilly tone as she confronted her. "Gianna, what are you doing here?!"
"Just taking care of some errands."
Despite Ximena being her mother-in-law, Gianna was well aware that Bella had always been Ximena's favored daughter-in-law. No matter how hard Gianna tried to win her over in the past few years, she never seemed to make progress.
But things had changed for Gianna. She was no longer as cautious and obliging around Ximena as she used to be.
Displeased by Gianna's intent to walk away simply, Ximena commanded, "Since we've run into each other, help me choose a couple of dresses!"
Ximena had a history of unfortunate fashion choices until she began shopping with Gianna. Soon after, she noticed that Gianna had a knack for selecting dresses that suited her perfectly. The effusive praise Ximena received from her affluent friends made Gianna's help essential for shopping.
That day, she was shopping with Bella, and although Bella's choices were nice, they still didn't quite measure up to Gianna's selections.
Gianna, unfazed by Ximena's authoritative tone, said coolly, "I have other matters to attend to. Perhaps Bella can help you instead."
Silently, she turned and walked away.
Ximena, simmering with rage, watched Gianna's retreating figure and hissed through clenched teeth, "I shouldn't have let her marry Felix!"
"Ximena, please try to calm down," Bella interjected, trying to soothe her. "It's just the way my sister is. She doesn't mean any harm."
At Bella's comment, Ximena's face soured even more, her frown deepening without a word.
Bella hesitated, her face a mix of wanting to speak yet holding back, "Yusuf.. there's something... something about my sister... I'm not sure if I should tell you..."
"Just spit it out!" Ximena snapped.
"It's about my sister. She was seen hiring a male model at the bar not long ago, and someone displayed the footage on the big screen at Grandpa's birthday party... Most of Dawnridge's high society saw it..."
Incredulity and anger flickered in Ximena's eyes. "She dared to do that?!"
Bella nodded with a touch of sadness. "I don't understand why sister would do such a thing. Felix even had to announce their marriage to defend her publicly..."
Ximena's face was a storm of fury, her dissatisfaction with Gianna already festering when she learned of Gianna's betrayal of Felix.
"Belle, I've got to run. Let's cut our shopping trip short today. Drop by the house sometime," she said with urgency.
"Sure, Ms. Martinez. Just, please, don't breathe a word of this to anyone else. I don't need my sister thinking I'm badmouthing her behind her back," Belle urged.
"Don't worry, Belle, your secret's safe with me," Ximena assured her, her grip reassuring as they parted ways.
As Ximena dashed off, Belle's lips curled into a sly, triumphant grin.
Gianna, holding her newly acquired gown tightly, had barely stepped out of the mall when her phone buzzed—it was Felix.
He spoke with a cold and frosty tone. "Where are you?"
"Just outside Qianda Mall, what's wrong?"
"Wait there. I'll be there in thirty minutes."
Felix hung up before Gianna could ask more questions.
Felix kept his promise, and his car stopped in front of her in under 30 minutes.
When Gianna saw that he had driven himself, she put her dress in the back seat and sat on the passenger side.
"This seems sudden. What's going on?" she asked, a mix of curiosity and concern in her voice.
Felix muttered with a cold stare as he drove, "We're heading to address a mess the male model you ordered has left us with!"
Gianna looked puzzled, "What do you mean?"
"You'll see soon enough!"
Realization dawned on Gianna as Felix pulled up to the imposing gate of the Clinton Family's Ancestral Home. Recalling her recent encounter with Ximena and Belle, she figured the Clintons were now well aware of her escapade. A cold laugh escaped her lips.
Stepping into the living room, they were met with Ximena's frosty gaze, her eyes sharp as daggers.
Upon laying eyes on Gianna, Ximena's glare turned venomous, and it seemed she was on the verge of assaulting Gianna right there.
That woman!
"Felix," she seethed, hatred barely contained, "I heard Gianna was ordering male models at the bar. Tell me, is it true?"
Felix responded sharply, his face filled with cold intensity. "And who's been wagging their tongue to you?"
Ximena slammed her teacup onto the table, her rage unmistakable, "Does it matter who told me? What matters is whether it's true or not!"
Felix was going to say no, but Gianna interrupted from behind. "It's true. But surely you didn't bring us here just to confirm that, did you?"
Before they arrived, Ximena had already dug up the dirt and reviewed the surveillance footage. The whole ordeal had nearly left her breathless with indignation.
She gave Gianna a disapproving look, clearly expressing her dislike. "You've got the gall to admit it, huh? I called you here for something else as well!"
Gianna remained composed, her gaze steady on Ximena as she waited for her to continue.
"Gianna, marrying Felix was a step up for you, and in three years, you haven't provided him an heir. Now you've gone and cheated on him. The Clintons will not stand for this. You and Felix should get a divorce."
