Chapter 308
After hopping in the car, Gianna shot Felix a look and said, "Did you beef with Mr. Musk?"
Felix's face was stone cold. He snapped back, "You think I can just chill and chat with a dude who's eyeing you? From now on, no more talking to him, got it?"
Seeing his jealous mug, Gianna just shook her head, "Alright, alright."
Felix pressed, "You were hanging with him just to tick me off, right?"
Gianna sighed, "Nah, remember when I was abroad and he saved my butt? He said if I played his girlfriend for a month, we'd be square."
Felix's face tightened, and he said icily, "When we got back, I threw a bunch of big deals at the Musk Group to clear your tab with him. You don't owe him squat anymore!"
"Okay, I get it," Gianna nodded.
Felix fired up the engine, "Let's grab some dinner."
After running around for over two hours, it was already past five, prime dinner time.
Felix took Gianna to this swanky private restaurant. Just as they hit the entrance, they bumped into Penelope.
Seeing Gianna with Felix, Penelope was green with envy but didn't dare come close. She remembered how Felix dumped her and cut off deals with the Clifford Group after she mouthed off to Gianna. Now, she was more scared of him than she ever liked him.
Felix brushed past Penelope and led Gianna inside. The waiter had a private room ready. Once they sat down, Gianna smirked, "Saw your ex at the door. Why didn't you say hi?"
Felix knew the grilling was coming.
He explained, "I was never with her. The Clifford Group's prez sent her my way, and I used her to rile you up. Nothing happened between us!"
Gianna raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "I haven't even said anything, and you're already spilling the beans. Feeling guilty much?"
"I'm just worried you'll get the wrong idea," Felix said earnestly.
"Oh," Gianna nodded.
"If you don't believe me, I'll call her over right now so you can ask her yourself," Felix offered.
Seeing Felix was serious, Gianna quickly stopped him, "No need, I believe you, okay?"
Penelope already had it out for her. If Felix really called her over, she'd hate her guts even more.
Felix confessed, "I swear, there's nothing between us. Besides you, I haven't been with any other woman."
Seeing his desperate attempt to clear his name, Gianna couldn't help but smile, "Got it."
Meanwhile, Penelope was fuming on her way home.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed.
Seeing an unknown number, she angrily hung up, but the caller kept at it.
Annoyed, Penelope answered, "Are you nuts? I've hung up like a million times, and you still call. What's your deal?"
Just as she was about to hang up, a cold voice came through.
The caller said, "Penelope, after what Felix did to you, don't you want to get back at him?"
Penelope was taken aback, then cautiously asked, "Who are you? Why are you telling me this?"
The caller continued, "I'm someone who can help you get even with Felix."
"Why should I trust you?" Penelope shot back.
"If you don't believe me, meet me at Horizon Cafe at eight tonight." And with that, the caller hung up.
When Penelope called back, she got nothing but silence.
After mulling it over, she told the driver, "Take me to Horizon Cafe."
A little after seven, Penelope rolled up to the cafe. She ordered a coffee and parked herself by the window, scoping out the scene, but nothing seemed off.
Right at eight, her phone buzzed again.
She picked up without missing a beat, "Where are you?"
The caller said, "Head to the cashier. She's got something for you."
Penelope's temper flared. "You got the nerve to call me out but not show your face?"
The caller replied, "When the time's right, we'll meet."
"You..." Before she could finish, the call cut off, and Penelope nearly chucked her phone in frustration.
After cooling down, she made her way to the cashier.
Five minutes later, Penelope stared at the note the cashier handed her, thinking it was a joke. She texted the caller.
Penelope: [You want me to tell Gianna they never divorced? That's not gonna split them up; it'll just make them tighter. Do you think I'm stupid?]
After waiting and getting no reply, she fired off a few more texts.
Penelope: [Say something! Are you mute?]
Penelope: [I think you're just screwing with me. Are you Gianna?]
Penelope: [If I find out who you are, you're toast!]
No matter how many messages she sent, there was radio silence.
Penelope ripped up the note and told the driver to take her home.
As soon as she walked into the Clifford Mansion, she got slapped.
Jacob Clifford fumed, "All you do is mess around! Look at the mess you've made of the Clifford Group!"
Penelope held her cheek, stunned, staring at Jacob. Was this the same dad who used to dote on her?
Ever since he sent her to Felix's bed, it felt like his fatherly love vanished overnight. Sometimes, Penelope wondered if he'd been swapped out for someone else.
Penelope said sadly, "Dad, what does this have to do with me? Felix was just using me; he never liked me! His pulling out of investments has nothing to do with me."
Jacob snorted coldly, his face like ice, "If you had any value left, Felix wouldn't have been so ruthless!"
Penelope's eyes filled with hurt, but she didn't argue. She knew no matter what she said, Jacob would pin everything on her.
After blowing off steam, Jacob stormed back to his study.
Only then did the servant dare to approach, cautiously saying, "Miss Clifford, Mr. Clifford's been in a bad mood because of the company's issues. Don't take it to heart."
"Get out!" Penelope shoved away the servant's hand offering her shoes and ran barefoot back to her room.
After locking the door, Penelope flopped on her bed and cried. Her hatred for Gianna grew. If it weren't for her, she wouldn't have been slapped tonight!
As she sobbed, Penelope suddenly thought of the note she'd seen tonight.
Would telling Gianna about that really make her and Felix break up?
After thinking it over, Penelope made up her mind.
The next morning, after Gianna and Felix finished breakfast, Felix drove Gianna to work.
When the car pulled up at MY FASHION, Felix held Gianna close and kissed her for what felt like forever before reluctantly letting her go.
Felix asked, "Gianna, how about I move the Clinton Group headquarters next to your company so I can see you anytime?"
