Chapter 35
<Chapter>Chapter Thirty-Five: Crestfallen </Chapter>
Gianna turned abruptly to face Felix, her gaze icy. "What are you getting at?"
"Just join me for this meal, and I'll hand that partnership over to the Redstone family."
After locking eyes with him for a moment, Gianna burst into laughter. "So, I have a meal and hand over a partnership to the Redstone family. Aren't they getting a huge bargain?"
Felix watched her sternly, sensing an undercurrent in her words.
Sure enough, her smile quickly turned into one of scorn.
"Such a bargain. Every member of the Redstone family should be jumping at this dinner invitation. Let them go."
Gianna pushed the car door open and stepped out as Felix's gaze turned icy, following her retreat. "Gianna, if Faith keeps hounding Jasmine, and if Uriah gets pushed too far, it won't end well for her!"
She almost managed to restrain herself but ultimately turned back to lock eyes with Felix, her response cold.
"So what? Just because Faith and I are not as strong as Uriah, we're supposed to let Jasmine walk all over us without fighting back?"
After a brief silence, Felix spoke, "Why escalate things to an ugly end if there's a peaceful solution?"
Gianna took a deep breath, fixing her gaze on Felix's eyes. "You want a peaceful solution simply because Uriah is your brother. I don't blame you for taking his side, but don't you dare try to force your view on me."
Felix was at a loss with Gianna's refusal to let go, "Gianna, Uriah's ready to reimburse you for the dress, and he and Jasmine Astor are happy to apologize. What's with the commotion?"
That dress had taken her a month to design, and she had been so excited to see Faith wear it.
And then Jasmine, not satisfied with just stealing Faith's boyfriend, paraded around in the dress and ruined it on purpose as a show of power— an insult Gianna couldn't swallow!
"What if it had been Bella's dress that was destroyed intentionally? Could you still say that so calm and collected?" Gianna challenged him.
Seeing Felix fall silent, Gianna let out a bitter laugh. "It's as I thought. I mean nothing to you compared to Bella, Felix. Is this because I used to have feelings for you, so you think you can hurt me without any repercussions?"
The word 'used to' turned Felix's expression icy in an instant, anger rising within him.
"What do you want, then?"
Gianna's cold gaze held a deep disappointment as she began to question how she ever fell for Felix.
"That's something you shouldn't be asking me. Ask Faith," she retorted before turning on her heel and walking away.
That night, Gianna returned to her villa in North Town, and a silent battle ensued between them.
Life went on rather unchanged for Gianna. In fact, not seeing Felix improved her spirits.
A week later, Faith sought out Gianna.
"Gianna, Uriah's secretary, reached out to me. Uriah and Jasmine want to set things right, and Jasmine wants to apologize to me," she said with an uncertain look.
Seeing the turmoil in Faith, Gianna smiled lightly, "And what do you feel about that?"
"Actually, I just wanted Jasmine to apologize in the beginning."
Gianna nodded, affirming, "Then just stick to what you want. But make sure her apology isn't too easy. She should remember this lesson well."
"I've already thought it through. I want her to apologize on the largest billboard in Dawnridge."
"Good. I'm with you on this."
With Gianna's backing, Faith breathed a sigh of relief but couldn't shake off a sense of guilt as she glanced at her friend, "It's just such a shame about the dress you designed with such care for me. If only I had been more careful."
Gianna pressed her lips together, her tone remaining neutral, "Well, 'Dearest' has already been worn by Jasmine, and it would've been awkward for you to wear it after that. Now, at least you can get some compensation for it being destroyed."
"I still feel like I owe you for all the effort," Faith sighed.
"Well then, make it up to me by taking me out to dinner!" she exclaimed with a playful smile.
Faith wrapped her in a jubilant hug. "Gianna, you're the best!"
The prospect of a public apology for Faith on Dawnridge's biggest billboard angered Jasmine so much that she ended up wrecking everything in her living room.
‘Apologizing to that woman grated on her nerves – it was so beneath her!’
Hellbent on revenge, she vowed not to let Faith off easy.
Word about Jasmine's forthcoming public apology to Faith spread like wildfire. Bella had to dig around before she understood the whole silly affair. It seemed to her that Jasmine was beyond foolish.
A dress caused all the chaos, and now she found herself in deep trouble. Bella opted to stay out of the situation, choosing not to offer Jasmine any comfort or support.
The day Jasmine was scheduled to apologize eventually arrived.
Throughout her apology, Jasmine choked up multiple times, though her tears stemmed more from anger than remorse.
Someone even managed to sneak a video online, but the Uriah's managed to hush it up quickly, so the embarrassment didn't spread too far. Nonetheless, Jasmine felt humiliated enough to seclude herself at home for three days before she could face the world again.
Regarding Faith, the apology wasn't the only thing she received. Uriah had also transferred a substantial sum of twenty million to her account.
Faith decided to accept the money this time. She had initially planned to pass it on to Gianna, but her friend had flatly refused the offer.
"Since you won’t take it, how about I treat you and Jonah to dinner tonight? He really came through for me, hooking me up with that lawyer," Faith suggested.
Gianna raised a questioning eyebrow. "Was that dinner with Jonah about this issue?"
"Yeah, are you free tonight? I'll check if Jonah's available."
"No need. You go ahead with Jonah. I'll pass."
While messaging Jonah, Faith glanced up at Gianna, a brief moment of confusion passing over her face. "Is there some kind of beef between you and Jonah?"
Gianna shook her head gently, "No, it’s nothing. Just some personal stuff that means I probably shouldn't hang out with him for a while."
Faith began to ask more questions, but Gianna interrupted her, "Look, I’ve got to get back to work. You should head home."
"I'll treat you to dinner another time then."
"Sure."
After Faith left, Gianna reached for her documents but was interrupted by her phone ringing.
Seeing Natalie Clinton's name flash on the screen brought an involuntary smile. "Grandma, what's up? Ditching your card games to call me today?"
In the Clinton family, it was Natalie Clinton who treated her with genuine affection. So, despite her marriage with Felix nearing its end, she couldn't bring herself to be cold toward Natalie.
"Humph, Gianna, have you completely forgotten about this old lady?!" Natalie chided, "How long has it been since you last visited me?"
Gianna quickly responded, "That's not possible. I’ve just been swamped with work lately. I promise I’ll come to see you as soon as I get a break!"
Natalie Clinton expressed her dissatisfaction immediately: "Why wait until you're free? Come over tonight. I've instructed the kitchen to prepare your favorite sweet and sour ribs. That's settled then!" And with that, she hung up the phone.
Gianna couldn't help but laugh and cry simultaneously as she listened to the dial tone. Natalie remained as authoritative as ever.
But she loved that about her.
After finishing her work, Gianna drove to Harmony Garden, a residence crafted by the late Mr. Howard in collaboration with Natalie Clinton.
Even after many years since Mr. Howard's passing, Natalie stubbornly refused to move in with Howard Connor and Ximena, insisting on staying amid the memories of her past life until she could no longer keep them alive.
Harmony Garden was built on Mid-Mountain Road, which Mr. Howard had purchased in its entirety just for this home.
As Gianna’s car approached the base of the mountain, she passed the neatly aligned ginkgo trees on either side of the road. Their leaves were turning yellow, a sight that would be spectacular during the day.
Ten minutes later, Gianna reached the entrance of Harmony Garden, where the housekeeper promptly came to open the gate for her.
She parked her car, and as she got out, she saw Felix on the porch not too far away, feeding the fish.
This was the first time they had met since their unpleasant parting at the MY FASHION building.
