Chapter 72
Jasmine covered her face, gazing at Rhodes in disbelief. Emerson, positioned beside them, pushed him aside and drew Jasmine back, casting a furious glare at Rhodes.
"What are you doing?! Do you know how scared Jasmine has been at the police station these past few days because of you? Not only do you not care about her, but you also hit her! Rhodes, have you gone crazy?!" Emerson lashed out.
Rhodes sneered, "If it weren't for you offending Gianna, the Sirius Trading Syndicate wouldn't have terminated all cooperation with The Astor family. You don't have to worry about anything at the police station. Do you know how much money I've lost because of you?"
Emerson's anger remained evident on her face as she replied icily, "Shouldn't you have done that anyway?"
"If it weren't for what you and Jasmine did, would I have to lose money? I warn you, apologize to Gianna tomorrow night, and keep apologizing until she's satisfied!"
Tears filled Jasmine's eyes as she clenched her teeth and spoke, "I won't apologize!"
Rhodes' expression turned ice-cold. "If you don't go, then we will sever our father-daughter relationship. You can choose how you want to die."
Jasmine stood frozen in place. It took her a while before she trembled and spoke, "Dad, what do you mean? You're actually willing to sever our relationship for Gianna?!"
"I was here for Gianna, right?! You don't know how Sirius Trading Syndicate has been suppressing the Astor Group these days. The Astor Group will go bankrupt in a month!"
She hadn't anticipated the situation to be so grave. Jasmine bit her lip and murmured, "But Belle told me that Felix loves her. How could he plot against the Astor family for Gianna?!"
Rhodes remembered what Gianna had told him when she left, and his face turned cold. "If Felix really loves Bella, why didn't he divorce Gianna and marry her?"
"It's Gianna who refuses to get a divorce!"
Jasmine was taken aback by Rhodes's cold-heartedness. He sneered, "You believe everything Bella says. When you were in prison, why didn't she help you? At the banquet tomorrow night, either you apologize to Gianna or I publicly announce the end of our relationship with you. It's your choice!"
After saying that, Rhodes turned and left.
Jasmine looked puzzled and turned to Emerson, who had remained silent the whole time. "Mom, what should I do?"
"Just do as your father said and apologize!"
"But I don't want to."
Before she could complete her sentence, Emerson coldly cut her off, "Jasmine, do you know who taught me to have someone splash paint on Gianna's house?"
Jasmine paused, and she had a faint guess in her heart, but she didn't want to admit it.
"Stop talking. Belle would never harm me!"
"Think carefully. The last time you encountered Gianna with her, it was you who got beaten, not her. Why is it that this time, it's us who got caught, not her?!"
Jasmine's eyes were filled with pain. "Mom, please stop! We willingly did all these things, and Belle just wanted to help us!"
"Stay away from her in the future, or you won't know how you'll end up!"
If it wasn't for Rhodes' words just now, Jasmine might still be hating Gianna and thanking Bella.
Without looking at Jasmine's reaction again, Emerson turned and left.
Bella played them like this, and she would seek revenge on her for this!
Jasmine returned to her room, and as soon as she sat on the bed, the "Many Years" film crew called her.
"Jasmine, due to your recent actions that have violated the bottom line of our film crew, after careful consideration, we have decided to terminate your contract."
When Gianna returned to the Villa, she saw Felix sitting at the table waiting for her to eat. She still felt a little uncomfortable.
She walked over to Felix and sat down, saying, "Let's eat. You don't have to wait for me next time."
Felix didn't respond to her words but raised an eyebrow and remarked, "Are you in a good mood today?"
Gianna nodded, "Yes, Rhodes, Jasmine's father, came to MY FASHION today to apologize to me. He also said that Jasmine and Emerson will publicly apologize to me."
"The Astor family finally has someone smart!"
If Sophia were here, he would say that Felix ordered the end of all cooperation with The Astor family, and of course, Rhodes would become smart!
Gianna smiled and didn't say anything.
After the two finished dinner and sat in the living room watching television, Felix couldn't help but look at Gianna and said, "What are you going to do about your mom's side?"
Gianna's smile faded a bit. "Since she has already severed ties, we are strangers from now on."
There was a hint of surprise in Felix's eyes, "Are you sure?"
After all, Bella had mentioned to Felix several times that Gianna had always mimicked her and desired the same attention from Lauren and Julian.
Gianna frowned and looked at Felix, "Why would you be unsure?"
"I heard that you always wanted to repair your relationship with Lauren in the past. Perhaps if you had family caring for you, you might be happier."
Gianna put down the fruit in her hand, and her expression turned cold.
"Mr. Clinton, did the Redstone family send you as a mediator?"
Felix remained silent for a few seconds and spoke, "Belle came to see me this afternoon, hoping that I would persuade you not to pursue this matter any further."
Gianna looked at him coldly, "And then? Did you agree with her?!"
"No, I just feel that if you sever ties with the Redstone family, you might regret it. So I hope you can think it through."
"You don't need to worry about this matter, Mr. Clinton. I've thought it through!"
After the conversation, Gianna lost all interest in watching TV and promptly returned to the bedroom.
Even when Lauren finished massaging Felix, Gianna didn't come out.
Felix rested for a while, hesitated for a moment, and then pushed his wheelchair to knock on Gianna's door.
"Gianna, I want to talk to you."
After several seconds, a cold voice came from inside, "I'm already asleep. Let's talk tomorrow."
Felix waited at the door for a while, and he continued, "Are you angry?"
"No, you go back, I'm tired, don't bother me," Felix said. He silently turned his wheelchair and left.
The next morning, when Felix woke up, Gianna had already left for work, clearly avoiding him.
Felix ate breakfast with a cold face and called Gianna.
"What's up?" came Gianna's cold voice from the phone. Felix couldn't help but feel angry and said, "Gianna, what's with your attitude?!"
There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone.
"I'm not being difficult," Gianna said.
"If you're not being difficult, then why did you go to work early this morning? Weren't you avoiding me?" Felix asked.
"Mr. Clinton, I have a lot of work today, so I left early. Do I have to report this to you?" Gianna replied.
"The Astor family's banquet is tonight. Go with me. I'll pick you up from MY FASHION after work!" Felix said, not waiting for her response, and hung up the phone.
The day quickly passed. While Gianna was reading documents at the company, Felix called her.
"I'm here, come down!"
