Chapter 75
Bella bit her lip and looked at him, feeling wronged.
"In Riverdale, when I said this necklace was beautiful, you bought it. And then you gave it to Gianna to wear. Were you trying to make me angry?"
Felix looked at her and calmly responded, "Regardless of whether you complimented this necklace or not, I would have still bought it. It was intended as a gift for Gianna."
Bella couldn't believe it and took a few steps back, her eyes filled with tears.
"Are you telling the truth?"
"Yes."
The people around them began to gossip, mocking Bella for thinking that Felix would wait for her.
Finally, Bella couldn't take it anymore and turned to run out of the banquet hall.
Felix's icy gaze swept over the gossiping crowd, and he coldly declared, "If I hear any more mockery toward Bella, you will know what consequences await you!"
After finishing a performance, Gianna remained unaffected in her heart and pushed Felix toward the crowd.
Rhodes invited the CEOs of various Dawnridge corporations and many individuals who wished to collaborate with the Sirius Trading Syndicate. They approached Felix to talk.
Gianna stood by, carefully listening and gaining valuable information.
After chatting for a while, Felix turned around and saw Gianna lost in her own thoughts. He said, "If you find it boring, you can go get some desserts."
Gianna snapped out of her reverie, smiled, and replied, "No need, I find it quite interesting."
Felix said nothing and continued conversing with his business partners.
Not long after, Emerson and Jasmine came downstairs.
Jasmine caught sight of Gianna in the crowd, and a flash of hatred appeared in her eyes. Gianna had caused her to lose her job and be locked up in the police station for several days, and now she had to apologize publicly!
Thinking of all this, Jasmine's heart filled with resentment.
Did she have to let Gianna humiliate her because she had Felix's support?
Emerson tugged on Jasmine's hand and whispered, "Jasmine, we'll deal with her once Felix stops liking Gianna!"
Jasmine lowered her head, concealing her hatred in her eyes.
"Mom, don't worry, I know what to do."
Rhodes spotted the two of them coming downstairs and walked onto the stage, picking up the microphone to speak.
"Thank you all for attending this banquet. Everyone is aware of what happened with Jasmine on Twitter. It has had a detrimental impact on Miss Gianna and caused her harm. I apologize for that."
Today, everyone was invited to attend the banquet for Jasmine and Emerson to apologize to Miss Gianna," said the speaker.
After speaking, Jasmine and Emerson went up on stage.
Jasmine recounted how she had provoked Gianna and spread rumors about her on Twitter.
"Miss Gianna, I know I was wrong, and I hope you can forgive me!"
Emerson took the microphone and looked toward Gianna as she spoke, "Miss Redstone, I saw Jasmine being taken to the police station, which is why I had someone throw paint at you. Now, thinking back on it, I feel guilty.
To show my remorse, I had someone buy a bucket of paint. If my apology is not enough for your forgiveness, you can pour this bucket of paint on me, and I won't complain!"
Their words caused the people in attendance to start Whispering Secrets.
They were not disdainful of what they had done, as every family had their own ways, but they never expected them to be so foolish and publicly apologize, causing them to lose face.
The gaze cast by the crowd made Jasmine feel as if she were stripped naked.
Gianna looked at them indifferently, knowing that what they were experiencing now was not even a tenth of the insults she had received on Twitter.
After a few minutes, Gianna smiled and spoke, "We don't need the paint, I just hope that Jasmine and Emerson remember this feeling of being watched by others today and be careful before doing anything in the future."
Jasmine clenched her teeth and said, "Miss Gianna, I will remember your words today!"
After stepping down from the stage, Jasmine suddenly saw Uriah standing in the corner of the banquet hall, watching her.
Jasmine remembered that when she was at the police station, she had called him, wanting him to help her, but he coldly refused.
She pursed her lips and slowly walked toward Uriah.
Standing in front of Uriah, Jasmine looked at him coldly, "Are you here to laugh at me?"
Uriah shook his head, "I just wanted to see what kind of person the one I've liked for so many years really is."
Jasmine laughed coldly, "Unfortunately, I've disappointed you."
Her expression on her face made Uriah feel unfamiliar.
He had always thought she was gentle and kind, but now he realized that his infatuation with her had made him place so many beautiful words upon her.
So when he saw the truth, he defended her multiple times.
"Jasmine, we could have been together. Why did you do such a thing?"
Jasmine looked at him with a cold expression and said each word deliberately, "For no reason at all. I have always been this kind of person. When we broke up, and I went abroad, it was because I realized we were incompatible. This time, when I returned to the country, I found out that I still liked you and wanted to try it. Unfortunately, it still failed."
Uriah's face turned pale instantly. He had been considering whether to continue dating Jasmine these past few days, but now it seemed he didn't need to consider anymore.
"I understand."
He turned around without hesitation and left. His departing figure revealed a resolute aura.
Pain filled Jasmine's eyes, but even if she tried to reconcile with Uriah now, they would still inevitably face a breakup in the end.
She turned around and went upstairs directly. Her only purpose for tonight's banquet was to stand on the stage and apologize to Gianna, letting Gianna insult her all she wanted. The humiliation tonight would stay in her heart forever!
Julian and Lauren also received Rhodes' invitation, but when they found out that Rhodes wanted Jasmine and Emerson to apologize to Gianna in front of everyone, they did not attend.
At eight o'clock in the evening, Bella returned home, tears still streaking her face.
Lauren was in the living room watching TV, and when she saw Bella's appearance, she was startled and quickly pulled her to sit on the sofa.
"Belle, what's wrong with you? Did Gianna bully you?"
Bella shook her head, her voice filled with a sob, "Mom, don't blame Gianna. After all, Gianna is Felix's wife now. It's normal for her to dislike that Felix likes me."
Lauren furrowed her brow and said, in a cold voice, "What happened? You tell me. I won't let her off the hook if it's her fault!"
Bella choked up and said, "Earlier, Felix bought a necklace in Riverdale, and I thought it was a gift for me. But today at the banquet, I saw Gianna wearing it..."
"She even wants to steal your gifts! I'm going to find her!"
Bella quickly grabbed Lauren's hand. "Mom, don't go. I don't want you to be humiliated too. Just pretend you don't know anything about this. I don't want Felix to be in a difficult position."
Lauren looked at Bella, whose face was covered in tears, and she handed her a tissue to wipe away, sighing.
"Belle, you're too kind."
"I have the love of my mom and dad, and that's enough. As for Felix, maybe we're just not meant to be."
Lauren gently patted her back and said softly, "Don't worry, I will ensure Gianna and Felix divorce!"
