Chapter 31
<Chapter>Chapter Thirty-One: Pressing Emergency </Chapter>
Bella wanted Gianna to show anger or jealousy on her face, but Bella was disappointed because Gianna stayed calm and didn't show any signs of being upset.
She sneered at Gianna, “Do you really think playing the magnanimous card will make Felix fall for you? Dream on!"
Gianna replied calmly, "Bella, you're truly pitiable."
"What did you say?!" Bella's eyes narrowed, filled with anger and disbelief.
‘That Gianna dared to call me pitiable?!’
"Isn't it obvious? Your life seems to revolve solely around Felix as if without him, it loses all meaning."
Gianna couldn't help but wonder if that had been how others saw her in the past three years—pitiful and pathetic.
"Gianna, it’s you who should be pitied. Even if your parents brought you back into the Redstone family, not one of them cares about you, not even your husband. You're the real poor thing here!"
Gianna chuckled to herself. There was a time she might have clung to the hope of finding love from the Redstone family or Felix, but now, she was indifferent.
‘Loving oneself was what mattered most. Seeking validation from others only ensnared one in a trap of never-ending self-justification.’
"Say what you will, Bella. If you can persuade Felix to divorce me, you might actually earn my gratitude!"
After speaking, Gianna turned and walked away, but as she reached the corner, her steps suddenly came to a stop.
Felix, tall and commanding, looked down at her. His dark eyes were filled with emotions that were hard to understand.
Her heart skipped a beat as Felix, who had always detested the topic of divorce, unexpectedly turned and left her standing there alone. Sensing his irritation, Gianna frowned slightly but decided against following him.
Back in the living room, Julian approached her with a hushed tone, "Your grandmother is in the side parlor. She wants a word with you."
Gianna nodded and headed toward the side parlor.
This time, Kimberly's demeanor toward her shifted dramatically, her face adorned with a benevolent smile.
"Gianna, come sit next to Grandma!" she exclaimed invitingly.
Gianna sat down one seat apart from Kimberly and began calmly, "Grandma, what did you want to talk about?"
Kimberly started with some polite small talk before changing the subject, "You’ve been married into the Clinton family for three years now. Since Felix is treating you well, you should seize the opportunity to have a child with him. That would secure your position beyond challenge!"
Gianna's eyes flickered with surprise. Previously, the Redstone family could hardly wait for her to divorce Felix and let him marry Bella. The sudden change in attitude left her secretly impressed.
"Grandma, there is actually something I came to discuss," she said.
"What is it?" Kimberly inquired.
"I am considering a divorce from Felix."
Kimberly's friendly smile turned into a frozen expression, and a coldness swept over her eyes.
"Gianna, I thought you were a smart girl. Why would you come up with such a foolish idea?" Kimberly scolded.
Gianna's expression remained calm as she replied, "A divorce from Felix would be beneficial for the Redstone family. Unlike me, who only returned to the Redstones when I was sixteen, Bella would undoubtedly serve the family with greater dedication and effort as Felix's wife."
Kimberly took a moment to digest Gianna's forthright remarks before responding, "Are you serious about your words?"
Gianna offered a smile, "Of course, I mean it. For three years, his heart has been set on Bella, and now it's crystal clear to me. If the Redstones would agree, I am willing to proceed with a divorce from Felix."
Kimberly remained skeptical. She found it hard to believe that Gianna could ever give up on Felix and turn her back on the Clinton family fortune.
“Let me think about this. Ultimately, it all hinges on what Felix wants,” she said after a pause.
Gianna realized that Kimberly was playing coy, tempted by the idea of aligning their families through marriage yet afraid to cross Felix in the process.
“Take your time, Grandma,” Gianna said, masking her indifference with respect.
‘There’s no rush.’ Gianna thought to herself.
She returned to the living room to find it deserted except for Felix, who was seated on the sofa, glaring at her with coldness.
Where on earth could Julian be? Gianna pondered with a frown. He’d usually be glued to Felix, clutching onto him as his ticket to the good life. How could he be missing?
"What kept you?" Felix's voice was icy, dropping the temperature in the room a few degrees.
Earlier in the garden, when he'd overheard Gianna's words, he felt a surge of resentment. He had expected an apology upon her return.
Instead, she had vanished without a trace, stoking Felix's anger further.
Maintaining a cool demeanor, Gianna elegantly seated herself across from him. "I was chatting with Grandma. Where's the rest of the Redstone clan?" she inquired.
"How should I know? Don't you think you owe me an explanation for what you said in the garden?"
Gianna met his gaze unflinchingly. His eyes were brimming with ire—the rage was evident.
"I think what I said earlier was quite clear. What’s there to explain?"
"Gianna!" Felix snapped, his anger palpable.
Seeing that he was truly upset, Gianna pressed her lips together, "I came here for dinner. I'm not interested in fighting with you."
Felix let out a derisive laugh, "If you don't want to fight, then stop saying things that annoy me!"
"Understood." From now on, she'd simply keep her thoughts to herself when he was around.
Silence fell between them, neither willing to break it.
Soon, Julian entered the scene, holding a bottle of expensive red wine, a token of appeasement in his voice. "Felix, I've brought out my prized Lafite from the cellar. It would honor me if you’d have a glass tonight."
In a usual situation, Julian, as Felix's father-in-law, would be the one getting praise from Felix, not the other way around. However, because Felix didn't care about his wife and the Redstone family depended on the Sirius Trading Syndicate for their living, the roles had uncomfortably switched.
Indifferent, Gianna observed the exchange without a flicker of emotion in her eyes.
"Gianna, I'm afraid that won't work. I drove here today," Felix said with a hint of regret.
Julian chimed in quickly, "No big deal. I can have my driver take you guys later, or you can simply stay over tonight."
Felix fell silent for a few seconds, seemingly pondering something, then nodded slightly and agreed, "All right."
Dinner was ready in no time, and the housekeeper came to invite everyone to the table.
Perhaps deliberately, Julian seated Bella to Felix's left and Gianna to his right.
During the meal, Bella, noticing Felix enjoying his drink, kept serving him food.
"Felix, these are your favorite ribs."
"Felix, you have to try this sticky rice stuffed with lotus root our chef makes. It's delicious."
"Felix..."
Bella was relentless, constantly engaging Felix in conversation.
Gianna, meanwhile, didn't seem bothered. Instead, she watched the two with a grin as if enjoying the show. Bella's adoring gazes were almost tangible; Gianna half-expected her to pounce on him were they not in such a crowd.
Lost in these thoughts, Gianna was startled when Felix suddenly offered her a piece of braised pork.
"Eat up, you're too skinny. It doesn't feel good to hold you," he said.
Instantly, all eyes at the table turned to her.
Particularly Bella, whose icy stare could have chilled the entire room.
