Chapter 300
The next morning, the gossip mill in Dawnridge was buzzing about the president of the Clinton Group and the heiress of the Clifford Group having a late-night rendezvous.
Paparazzi snapped shots of them leaving a hotel in the dead of night, with the Clifford heiress hopping into Felix's car, and off they went together.
As soon as the news hit, all of Dawnridge's high society was chattering about it.
"Didn't Felix just pop the question to Gianna? And now he's with the Clifford heiress? That was quick!"
"Word is they split earlier, but Gianna moved on faster. Didn't she just start seeing Raymond a few days ago?"
"Man, these young folks today, they treat relationships like they're disposable. One minute they're in, the next they're out!"
Gianna saw the news too. She checked out the photos and, yep, that was definitely Felix. Her mood took a nosedive.
She wanted to cut ties with Felix and dodge his drama, but actually doing it hurt like hell.
She shut the webpage and tried to push Felix out of her mind.
Then Raymond called, "Gianna, Felix is throwing a party tonight with the Clifford heiress at Dawnridge Hotel. He invited us. You wanna go?"
It was obvious Felix was trying to get to Gianna.
Gianna declined, "I'm not feeling great, so I'll pass. Have fun."
After hanging up, she turned off her phone, not wanting any more Felix updates.
But even though she tried to ignore him, news about Felix kept popping up.
She heard he dropped $300 million into the Clifford Group, took Miss Clifford on a vacation, bought her a bunch of villas, and even proposed to Penelope Clifford by the seaside.
Suddenly, Gianna felt like the town jester.
Gianna didn't care much, but Faith couldn't stand people saying Gianna got dumped by Felix and got all riled up.
Faith stormed over to Gianna, "Those idiots! You broke up with Felix, and now they're saying he dumped you!"
Gianna stayed cool, "You can't control what people say. Let them talk; it doesn't matter."
Faith wasn't having it, "No way, I'm still pissed. I need some retail therapy. Come shopping with me tonight!"
Gianna chuckled and nodded, "Sure thing."
After Faith left, Gianna texted Raymond, saying she was having dinner with Faith and he didn't need to pick her up.
Raymond quickly replied with an "okay," and Gianna put down her phone, but she couldn't focus on her work anymore.
She rubbed her forehead, thinking she needed a break from all this chaos.
Soon it was quitting time, and Gianna headed to a new steakhouse with Faith.
Halfway through their meal, who walks in but Felix and Penelope Clifford.
Penelope, who ran in the same social circle as Faith, spotted her and smiled at Felix, "Hey, I see someone I know. Let's go say hi."
Felix, looking indifferent, followed Penelope over.
Faith was just gushing to Gianna about how cute their waiter was when she suddenly noticed two people standing beside her. She turned her head, and her expression soured.
Penelope, acting all gracious like she didn't know about Gianna and Felix's history, smiled, "Miss Walton, Miss Redstone, fancy seeing you here! What a coincidence!"
Faith responded with a frosty, "Hmm."
Penelope, clinging to Felix's arm, looked all smug, "Felix and I just got back from vacation. He heard this place is new and knows I love trying new spots, so he brought me here."
Faith rolled her eyes so hard they almost got stuck, "Miss Clifford, we haven't finished our meal."
She meant Penelope could leave now.
Penelope smiled apologetically and nodded, "Alright, we'll catch up another time."
Gianna didn't even glance up, her face as calm as if they were total strangers.
Felix didn't look at her either and walked off with Penelope.
Faith glared at their retreating backs, stabbing her steak like it was Felix, "Jerk! He was never this thoughtful with you!"
Gianna looked at the butchered steak and sighed, "Such a good steak, ruined."
Faith shot her an annoyed look, "Is that the point? Felix is such a jerk! I don't even think shopping will cheer me up now!"
Gianna chuckled, "I didn't say anything, why are you more upset than I am?"
Faith demanded, "Aren't you mad at all?"
Gianna shrugged, "What's there to be mad about? He didn't cheat while we were together. I can't control who he dates after we broke up. Plus, I got with Raymond first."
"That was fake! How is that the same?" Faith slammed her knife and fork down, "I'm done eating. I'm full!"
"Alright, don't be mad. I really don't care. I'm going to the restroom." Gianna tried to soothe her.
Gianna got up and headed to the restroom, her smile fading as she walked away.
After using the restroom, she was washing her hands when she ran into Penelope.
Gianna's face was indifferent. She dried her hands with a paper towel and was about to leave when Penelope stopped her.
Penelope said, "Miss Redstone, I want to have a word with you."
Gianna turned to see Penelope smiling at her, her eyes cold.
Gianna asked, "What does Miss Clifford want to talk about?"
Penelope sneered, "Besides Felix, we don't have much to discuss."
Gianna frowned, "I've already broken up with him."
Penelope nodded, "I know. I think a good ex should be like she's dead, never showing up in someone else's life. What do you think, Miss Redstone?"
Gianna's eyes turned icy, "Are you asking me to leave Dawnridge, Miss Clifford?"
Penelope sneered, "Not exactly. I just hope that when you see Felix and me, you can avoid us. I don't want to see people I don't want to see."
Penelope's eyes were full of arrogance, clearly a spoiled heiress who'd never faced real problems.
Gianna said fearlessly, "Miss Clifford, I have no obligation to avoid you. If you really don't want to see me, I suggest you blind yourself. That way, you won't see me anymore."
Gianna turned and walked a few steps, only to see a tall figure standing at the corner. She didn't know when he arrived or how much he had heard.
Gianna paused for a moment, then looked away expressionlessly and quickly left.
