Chapter 25
<Chapter>Chapter 25 - Bell the Cat </Chapter>
"Well!"
"I disagree!"
Two voices, diametrically opposed, filled the living room. Ximena looked at Felix with disbelief. "Have you lost your mind? Gianna cheated on you!"
Felix showed no particular emotion in his behavior. "This is between us. I'd appreciate it if you'd stay out of it."
Ximena let out a scornful laugh, "Stay out of it? Felix, has she bewitched you? How can you even think of staying with her after she's disgraced you like this?"
"I've told you, it's none of your business. Don't meddle in our affairs moving forward!"
Out of the blue, Gianna spoke up. "I agree to the divorce as long as Felix agrees to sign."
Gianna's straightforwardness surprised Ximena, and she frowned.
"You're willing to divorce just like that?"
Gianna smiled, "Didn’t you just say it? Three years of marriage with no kids, and yes, I did cheat with a model."
Ximena fixed Gianna with a cold stare. "You better follow through."
"If you're uncertain, I can put it in writing."
Felix interrupted abruptly before she could finish. "Gianna, shut up!"
Gianna faced Felix with a calm expression. "See? Everyone thinks we shouldn't be together. Why are you so against signing?"
She couldn't understand Felix's thoughts. Shouldn't he sign right away, especially since she was willing to step aside for his happiness with Bella?
Felix stayed quiet for a moment. Then, without saying anything, he took Gianna's hand and guided her away.
Ximena watched their retreating figures, seething, and immediately called Connor.
"Connor, come over. We need to talk!"
...
As they stepped out of the Clinton family's ancestral home, Gianna impatiently shrugged off Felix's hand.
"Felix, I'm really fed up. I don't want to keep up this charade with your mom anymore. Can't you just let me go?!" She exclaimed, clearly showing her frustration.
Felix came to a sudden halt. "Look, if you don't want to deal with her, just stop visiting. If she reaches out, ignore her. Simple as that."
Gianna’ s eyes flickered with surprise. She hadn't expected such words from Felix.
"Whatever you say or do, I'm not changing my mind about the divorce."
Felix's face showed no emotion, and his voice was purposeful. "As long as I’m not on board, you're not shaking off the 'Bella' title!"
Since their argument wasn't progressing, Gianna decided to let go of the topic.
"Let's not talk about this today. Let's go back," She sighed, feeling tired.
Seeing impatience in Gianna's gaze, Felix felt his own irritation rising.
They went home without speaking, and Gianna, without saying anything, took her dress and went to the bedroom.
The following day at the office, Gianna handed the dress to Faith.
"Happy Birthday!"
Faith's eyes sparkled with amazement and joy as her fingers lovingly touched the fabric.
"Is this really for me?!"
"Yeah, had it made a while back, just never got around to picking it up."
Faith hugged Gianna, bubbling with excitement. "This is such a surprise, thank you! I'm wearing this dress on my date tonight!"
Gianna raised an eyebrow. "You've got a boyfriend now?"
Faith's eyes hinted at a shy smile. "Yeah, I'll introduce him to you when the time's right."
Observing Faith's happiness, Gianna wondered about the man who could captivate a strong-willed woman like her.
"I was planning on dinner tonight, but since you have plans with your boyfriend, let's reschedule."
"Sure."
Once Faith departed, Gianna began to review some documents, but her phone rang unexpectedly.
"Gianna, Felix has signed the divorce papers. Could you come to the ancestral home now?" the caller demanded.
Gianna frowned. ‘Just yesterday, Felix had been adamant about not divorcing, and now he'd signed the papers readily?’
"He really signed them?" she asked cautiously.
There was a pause, and then Ximena's voice came through sarcastically, "Why would I lie to you? You don't think Felix really can't let go of you, do you?"
Gianna pursed her lips, replying, "All right, I'll be right there."
After hanging up, Bella, sitting next to Ximena, spoke up worriedly, "Housekeeper Yusuf, are we doing the right thing here? If Felix finds out, he's going to be furious."
Ximena's eyes were as cold as ice when she snapped, "You don't need to worry. Once he and Gianna have finalized their divorce, even if he's mad, he can't do a thing about it. I'm his mother, for crying out loud. He can't ignore me!"
The previous night, she called Connor and embellished the incident involving Gianna and the male model, hoping to push Connor into pressuring Felix to divorce Gianna. To her astonishment, Connor rebuked her for interfering, stating that it was their own matter to resolve.
Fuming, Ximena had been unable to sleep—a woman like Gianna, who couldn't maintain marital propriety, had no right to stay by Felix's side!
Half an hour later, Gianna walked into the Redstone family's ancestral home's living room.
The laughter between the two abruptly ceased when they noticed her.
Raising her chin with a look of contempt, Ximena declared, "The divorce papers are on the table. Once you sign, Felix will be out of your life for good."
Gianna walked straight to the table, flipped to the last page of the divorce papers, and, sure enough, found Felix's signature.
She picked up a pen but couldn't resist a glance at Ximena for confirmation, "This signature is legit, right?"
Ximena scoffed, "Of course, it's real. I wouldn't stoop so low as to trick you with a fake."
"Fine then."
As Gianna signed her name without hesitation, Ximena felt a prick of discomfort. Wasn't Gianna supposed to be reluctant, hesitant to sign? Instead, it seemed as if she was glad to be rid of a burden!
To prevent more issues, Gianna stated plainly, "I'm going to get this notarized at the city hall right now."
Before she could move, Ximena interjected coldly, "I'm coming with you, just in case you try to pull something behind my back."
Gianna agreed, "Fine by me."
Upon leaving the Clinton family ancestral home, Ximena saw the Lamborghini parked out front and couldn’ t help but frown, "Did Felix buy you that car? You shouldn't take it with you if you’ re getting a divorce."
Gianna hadn't expected Ximena to be so audacious. Setting aside the fact that the car was her own, even if Felix had bought it for her, taking care of him for three years surely entitled her to a car, didn't it?
Bella stood beside them, her eyes filled with envy as she stared at Gianna.
"Yeah, sis, you're not planning on taking advantage of Felix after the divorce, are you?"
Bella couldn't bear the idea. When she married Felix, his wealth would become hers, and she had no plans to let Gianna keep that car.
Gianna gave the pair a composed look, her voice distant as she stated, "Sorry to disappoint, but this car has nothing to do with Felix. I'll be waiting for you outside the civil affairs office."
With that, Gianna briskly got into her car and drove away, leaving Ximena and Bella literally in the dust.
After arriving at the civil affairs office and enduring over an hour's wait without any sign of Ximena and Bella, an impatient flicker crossed her eyes. Gianna decided to take care of the notarization herself.
Stepping out of her car, a sleek black Maybach stopped in front of her. Gianna's eyes narrowed as she instinctively tightened her grip on the divorce agreement.
In the next moment, the Maybach's rear door swung open.
Felix appeared, his demeanor cold, and his eyes hinted at an approaching storm.
