Chapter 42
<Chapter>Chapter 42: All Efforts to Save </Chapter>
"Ahh!" Jasmine let out a pitiful scream, her face twisted in agony.
"Belle, help me, please! My back is killing me!" she cried. Every attempt to move only intensified the stabbing pain.
‘That damn Gianna!’
She vowed revenge for this humiliation—Gianna would pay for what she'd done.
Bella's expression shifted, hinting at concern as she addressed Gianna. "Sis, Jasmine was just venting some frustration. How could you retaliate so cruelly?"
Gianna raised an eyebrow and laughed coldly, rhythmically tapping the handle of the crop against the palm of her other hand. "I've got plenty of frustrations, too. Why don't you let me vent a bit?"
Bella clenched her teeth. "I've done nothing to you! Why should I be your target? And remember, Jasmine is Uriah's girlfriend. Aren't you afraid Felix will take this out on you?"
Gianna's gaze was ice-cold, her voice measured. "What do I care about Felix's problems?"
"You..." Bella sputtered.
"It looks to me like Jasmine is in a lot of pain. Instead of calling a staff member to check on her, you're wasting time arguing with me. Do you want to delay until she's left paralyzed?" Gianna retorted sharply.
Bella hadn't expected Gianna to have such a biting wit. Sensing Jasmine’s growing impatience with her, Bella bit back her anger. "Sis, we're not going to let this slide!"
Gianna couldn't be bothered with further talk. She turned her horse to leave.
But as Gianna nudged her horse into motion, Bella flashed something metallic and drove it deep into the horse's flank.
With a loud neigh, the horse suddenly bolted, causing Gianna to almost fall off. She held onto the reins tightly, her hands red from the friction of the leather.
Struggling to stay balanced on the horse, Gianna could sense the animal's agitation as it galloped forward relentlessly, refusing to stop at the barrier, and thrashing wildly in an attempt to throw her off.
She held on tight, fighting to stay mounted, though nothing seemed to soothe the frantic beast.
On the sidelines, Uriah had just received the call about Gianna's altercation with Jasmine. His face twisted into an ugly scowl.
Uriah and his companions, accompanied by a ranch employee, rode toward Gianna. As Uriah saw Gianna's unruly horse, a sneer briefly appeared on his face, but he remained silent, deterred by Felix's cold stare.
Rescuing Jasmine was the priority. Once her condition was confirmed, Uriah would settle the score with Gianna—this was not over.
Gianna had spotted the group, too. She tried to calm her horse, steering it toward the stables.
Felix watched from a distance with indifferent eyes, making no move to assist.
Gianna had no intention of seeking his help anyway. Eventually, she pacified the horse and rode slowly back to the stables.
As she dismounted, Felix's chilly voice rose behind her. "I hear you deliberately threw Jasmine Astor off her horse!"
Gianna was inspecting her horse for any signs of tampering. She had seen Bella doing something suspicious to the animal earlier. There was definitely something amiss.
Annoyed by Felix's interrogation, she retorted, "What's it to you?"
Felix seized her wrist firmly. "Do you realize Jasmine could have been trampled? You may despise her, but this is cruel even for you!"
Shrugging off his grip, Gianna regarded him coolly. "I've always been cruel. Is this news to you? If you have nothing else, please stay out of my sight. You're annoying."
Fury glinted in Felix's eyes. "Apologize to her!"
"You do it," Gianna shot back.
Suddenly, her eyes fixed on a specific spot on the horse's flank, and anger flashed in them.
Felix grabbed her hand again, this time dragging her out of the stables despite her resistance. She tried to break free to no avail, eventually ending up in the lounge area.
The lounge area offered restful rooms for guests who'd grown weary from play. After Uriah had brought an injured Jasmine back, he'd summoned a doctor for an immediate check-up.
As Felix ushered Gianna into the room, the doctor spoke with solemn urgency. "Uriah, Jasmine has sustained a fracture. We'll need further examinations to ascertain the severity of the injury."
Jasmine clung to Uriah, her tears glistening like dew on pear blossoms. "Uriah, what if I can't walk again?"
Uriah's face was like a storm cloud, and he lowered his voice in comfort. "Jasmine, don't worry. I'll get the best doctors to take care of you. We'll get you back on your feet."
Bella glanced at the unscathed Gianna, barely a sign of a fall on her, feeling a seething envy.
Lucky witch, she must have had Felix's help! she thought bitterly.
Bella turned to the still-grieving Jasmine with a guilty expression. "Uriah, I... I'm partly to blame here. If I hadn't asked Jasmine to go riding with me, none of this would've happened."
Uriah looked up, his eyes ice-cold as he locked on Gianna. "Don't be absurd. It has nothing to do with you. The real culprit here is Gianna!"
He couldn't believe that, despite their humbled stance, Gianna could be so cruel as to wish death upon Jasmine. Even if Felix was on her side, Uriah was far from letting it go.
Jasmine, catching sight of Gianna, felt her resentment boil over - she wanted nothing more than to confront and eradicate her.
"Uriah, I don’t want her here. Make her leave!"
Bella interjected hastily, "Jasmine, please calm down. I'm sure she came here ridden with guilt to apologize."
Fire blazed in Jasmine's eyes. "Who needs her cheap apologies? I won't let her off that easily."
Bella secretly rejoiced but maintained a sorrowful facade. "Jasmine, for my sake, let's give her a chance to say she's sorry. She must regret her impulsive actions by now!"
Felix, with a firm grip on Gianna, faced Uriah with a steely look. "This incident was indeed Gianna's fault. I'll cover all of Jasmine’s medical expenses and take full responsibility for any repercussions."
Finishing his statement, Felix turned to Gianna and commanded, "Gianna, apologize now."
Gianna allowed a mocking smile to play upon her lips, her eyes devoid of warmth. "Felix, I don't recall agreeing to apologize. It seems like you're the one with the misguided wish, dragging me here against my will."
As soon as the words escaped his mouth, Uriah burst into a sarcastic laugh. "Oh, that's just great, Felix! I was willing to let it slide for your sake if she apologized, but since she's not willing to, don't blame me for being heartless for what comes next!"
Gianna raised an eyebrow at him. "And what exactly are you planning on doing?"
"Whatever Jasmine went through, I'll make sure you go through it too! An eye for an eye!" he snapped.
Gianna gave a soft, indifferent laugh. "You really think you have what it takes?"
"Gianna!" Felix turned to her furiously, disappointment written all over his face. "Apologize! If you don't, it won't just be Uriah who won't let it go—I won't either!"
