Chapter 297
As she wrapped up her words, the carriage fell into this heavy, awkward silence, and the chill coming off Felix could freeze someone solid.
After what felt like forever, Felix finally broke the silence with his deep voice.
Felix said, "Anyone who dares to be with you, I'll make sure their family falls apart!"
Gianna's face stayed cool as she slowly replied, "Felix, you might have that power in Dawnridge, but what about in Thundertop?"
Felix's frown deepened, his eyes icy, "Doesn't matter who it is, if they dare to be with you, I won't let them off!" His words dripped with malice, each one more deliberate than the last.
Gianna pressed her lips together, "So, you won't stop until you drive me to the edge?"
Felix shot back, "You'd rather die than forgive me?"
Gianna gave him a cold smile, "You keep saying sorry, but I've never seen you actually change. Every time I forgive you, it's just another knife you use to stab me, isn't it?"
The coldness in her eyes made Felix's heart ache, "Gianna."
Gianna cut him off, speaking slowly, "The person you love most isn't me, it's yourself, because you've never changed for me."
"I'm just scared you'll leave me," Felix countered.
Gianna asked, "Scared I'll leave, so you think you can hurt me without any fallout?"
Faced with her questions, the emotions in Felix's eyes slowly faded, turning into a deep darkness.
"I never meant to hurt you," Felix replied.
Gianna didn't want to argue anymore and said flatly, "Say what you want. I'm done, and I don't want to love you anymore."
With that, she pushed open the car door and left.
Felix didn't stop her, just watched her walk away in silence.
At that moment, he knew Gianna had no more expectations for him.
Felix's heart was heavy with guilt and pain, and his eyes started to redden.
He knew he had hurt Gianna, but he couldn't bring himself to let go.
He used to think that just loving Gianna was enough. But now he realized he didn't know how to love someone, only how to impose his own ideas on her.
After Gianna's figure disappeared, he pulled himself together and told the driver to start the car and leave.
Gianna had just gotten home when she got a call from Faith.
Faith asked, "Gianna, where'd you go? I was just mingling at the party for a while, and when I came back, you were gone."
Gianna replied, "I wasn't feeling well, so I came back early. Forgot to tell you, sorry."
Faith worried, "What happened? Need me to come over and take care of you?"
Gianna quickly replied, "No need, just felt a bit dizzy, but I'm fine now."
Faith said, "Alright, but if you feel unwell, hit me up immediately."
After hanging up, Gianna took a shower, read a book for a bit, and then turned off the lights to sleep.
The next morning, she found a message from Felix.
Felix: [Gianna, I'm sorry. I was too arrogant before, always pushing my ideas on you. I won't do that anymore. I'll chase you again and change for you until you forgive me.]
Gianna stared at the message for a while, then deleted it without a second thought.
She knew Felix too well; he was used to being domineering and would never change.
After getting ready and grabbing some breakfast, she headed to the office, and the morning just kinda drifted by.
Around noon, Otis knocked and strolled in.
Otis said, "Mr. Redstone, Mr. Musk wants to grab lunch with you."
Gianna thought for a sec, realized she had no lunch plans, and nodded, "Alright, shoot me the location later."
At 12:30 p.m., Gianna walked into a nearby Western joint and spotted Raymond already at the table, feeling a bit awkward.
Raymond had picked a spot close to MY FASHION, yet she was still late.
"Sorry, had a last-minute meeting. Have you been waiting long?" Gianna apologized as she sat down across from Raymond.
Raymond smiled and poured her some water, "No worries, just got here."
Gianna asked, "Mr. Musk, is this lunch about some issue with our project?"
Raymond looked a bit taken aback, then said with a hint of helplessness, "Do I always have to talk to you about work?"
Gianna took a sip of water, surprised, "So, this is personal?"
Raymond nodded, his eyes serious, "I want to pursue you."
Gianna spat out her water.
Realizing what she did, she quickly handed Raymond a napkin, "Mr. Musk, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to."
Raymond's words had thrown her off. She was Felix's ex-wife, and Raymond was Felix's buddy. The idea of him pursuing her seemed nuts to Gianna.
Raymond took the napkin, wiped his face, and looked at Gianna, "I'm serious."
Gianna frowned, "Mr. Musk, you're Felix's friend, so you're off-limits for me."
During the month Raymond had taken care of her in Desertopia, she had sensed his feelings. They hadn't talked about it then, but she hadn't expected Raymond to confess now.
Raymond asked, "Is it fair to reject me just because I'm Felix's friend?"
Gianna was quiet for a moment, then looked at Raymond and said, "Mr. Musk, thanks for the admiration, but I'm not good enough for you. You'll find someone better."
Raymond insisted, "I don't want someone better. To me, you're the best."
His sincere gaze was filled with undisguised love.
Gianna's grip on her cup tightened. After a moment of silence, she looked at Raymond, "What do you like about me?"
Raymond was stunned, not expecting the question.
Raymond replied, "I don't know. I used to see how you took care of Felix and thought I wanted a wife like that. But gradually, I found myself drawn to you, even though it hurt because you were Felix's wife. I started visiting Felix more often just to see you."
"Enough!" Gianna's eyes were cold, "Mr. Musk, there are plenty of women in Dawnridge who are prettier and gentler than me. You should like someone else! I won't fall for you!"
With that, Gianna stood up to leave, but as she turned, she saw Felix walking towards them with a cold expression.
She frowned, about to speak, but Felix walked past her and punched Raymond.
The two quickly started brawling in the restaurant, scaring the diners who hurriedly left to avoid getting caught up.
Gianna watched them coldly, then turned and left.
She had no intention of playing referee; it wasn't her problem.
As she stepped out of the restaurant, Felix caught up with her.
Felix said, "Gianna, don't go!"
