Chapter 225 How to Get on My Good Side?
“Don't be nervous. Grandma probably just wants to understand the situation,” a man's deep, magnetic voice comforted her.
Anna looked toward him, “Aren't you coming with me?”
Giorgio had no intention of joining her; his grandmother's character was such that his presence would likely raise more suspicion.
But seeing the fear in the girl's eyes, he couldn't bring himself to refuse.
“Let's go.”
They went to the study together.
Sitting on an expensive mahogany sofa, Viviana asked sternly, “Katherine, what exactly is going on?”
It was both an inquiry and an accusation.
Even though she braced herself for questioning, Anna still felt anxious. She fidgeted with her hands, trying to keep her voice steady as she replied, “Grandma, it's nothing serious. Earlier, Giorgio and I were at the clothing store, when I accidentally got tangled up with her, leading to her dismissal.”
“I suspect she's still holding a grudge and deliberately chose today to stir up trouble, but don't worry. After we leave the Vittorio mansion, Giorgio and I will handle it."
Viviana squinted her eyes, uncertain whether to believe or not and probed further, "You have a sister? How come I've never heard of her?"
The Stefanelli family kept the abandonment of Anna a well-guarded secret, hardly anyone knew of Anna's existence.
The world was under the impression that the Stefanelli family had only one daughter.
Anna felt a twinge of nervousness and a touch of sourness within, calming her emotions, she explained, "Yeah, I have a sister, but I don’t know much about her. I’ve only heard from my mother that she had 'difficult circumstances' and couldn't stay with us. We've never met."
The older generation often harbored a strong aversion to the idea of a dark cloud hanging over someone's life.
Viviana spoke without hesitation, "If her life is shadowed by such difficult circumstances, let's not discuss her any further. However, you and Giorgio need to sort this out properly to avoid any repercussions."
"Yes, Grandma, we'll take care of it. It won't happen again."
"Good. Let's go, today's your birthday. Time for us to come together as a family." Viviana rose, leading the two downstairs.
Anna didn't expect the matter to be resolved so easily, yet the tension still clung to her.
Given Camilla's temperament and the way she left, she was sure to persist in her antagonism. The threat remained.
Giorgio, seeing that she was distracted, discretely sent a message to Little Tony.
Then, right after the meal, he whisked her away under the guise of resolving the situation.
"What should we do? Could Camilla really find some evidence?" Anna asked nervously as soon as they got into the car.
Giorgio glanced at her anxious face and said in a deep voice, "Does she know you well?"
"Of course. From elementary to high school, we spent twelve years as classmates and arch-rivals; she probably knows me better than anyone who likes me. She was trying to see the scars on my hand earlier."
Anna's voice was both anxious and certain.
Giorgio's gaze narrowed, but his demeanor remained as calm as ever. "Didn't she fail to hurt you before? Plus, I've already had Little Tony take her back."
In other words, she was under control.
A glimmer of relief shone in Anna's eyes, "That's great. As long as Camilla's contained for a day or two, we’ll be safe."
Just as she thought this, Giorgio's phone chimed a cheerful melody – a call from Little Tony.
"Mr. Vittorio, I have bad news; I couldn't find Camilla when I went after her. I've checked the surveillance and everywhere possible. There’s no sign of where she's gone."
Giorgio's brow furrowed.
Her disappearance at this moment might not be so simple.
He hung up and his grave and serious gaze landed on Anna's delicate face, "Looks like we need to make some preparations," he remarked with an air of resolve.
"What preparations?" Anna questioned; her tone laced with confusion. If Camilla had concrete evidence, no amount of preparation would help.
Under the lighting, her panic was almost endearing—pale skin, cherry lips, eyes wild, and spirit agitated, eliciting an almost protective response from him.
Giorgio looked at her, his deep eyes darkening a notch as he spoke in a profound tone, "It seems that you shouldn't be worrying about this issue, but rather thinking about how to get on my good side. Have you come up with any ideas?"
Get on his good side?!
At such a critical moment, he could still think of such a trivial matter?!
Anna wanted to throttle him, yet he was the untouchable financial backer she couldn't afford to offend. The last time she acted on impulse, the consequences were severe; she wouldn't be capricious again.
She pursed her lips, "I'm thinking about it, don't rush me."
"Are you sure you're not just buying time to make a run for it?"
Katherine would wake up in a day or two, and his suspicions were not without reason.
Anna rolled her eyes at him, "I wish I could; would you let me?"
"No."
"Exactly." So much for that.
Anna leaned desolately against the car window, watching the bustling traffic outside as her mind turned over and over.
When would all of this come to an end?
Meanwhile, Abel and Colombo were equally vexed, "What's going on? When that woman left, I signaled you to follow her. Why didn't you catch her?"
"We were so close to a breakthrough, and now this? Did you see any of Giorgio's men? Maybe Giorgio beat us to it and nabbed her first."
His secretary shook his head uneasily. "I'm sorry; I really did try to chase her the moment she left, but she vanished into thin air. And about Mr. Vittorio's people, yes, I saw them. They seemed to be looking for her as well."
So, it wasn't them or Giorgio—who could it be?
"Maybe she feared the Vittorio family was after her and went into hiding on her own?" Abel speculated.
"Whatever the reason, that woman must have vital evidence, or she wouldn't dare to speak up. We must find her," Colombo insisted.
"Don't worry, sir. I'll dispatch more people right away."
"Hold on. Any word on this Anna the woman mentioned?"
Suddenly recalling the task, his secretary quickly presented a stack of documents.
"Take a look at this, sir."
Colombo took the files and, along with Abel, they both leaned in to examine the shocking revelation within.
The document spelled it out in black and white:
Anna, female, Katherine's twin sister, was strikingly similar in appearance yet abandoned in the countryside at birth due to superstitious beliefs concerning her fortune. She never returned to the Stefanelli family. Grew up in Vista Heights, dropped out of high school, and had been bringing up her brother's child.
Inside the envelope were stacks of photos. In each picture, despite the differences in attire and hairstyles, their faces were eerily identical.
"Oh my God, it's clearly the same person!"
"I feel like her eyes and aura are just like Katherine's now. What if that woman today was telling the truth?"
"Uncle, our hard times might finally be over; we could be about to turn things around!"
Colombo, equally excited, instructed his secretary, "Start digging into what differentiates Anna from Katherine immediately, especially Anna's current whereabouts and activities. Bring her to me if you can."
"Right, get on it—and be careful."
"Yes, sir." His secretary acknowledged and swiftly exited.
After pouring two glasses of red wine, Colombo handed one to Abel with a triumphant glint in his eyes, "Heaven hasn't forsaken us. Giorgio's days might just be numbered."
"Uncle, you and Giuseppe are the most capable. Just don't forget about me when Giorgio falls."
"Of course, I won't."
They drank merrily, unaware that the Camilla they sought was at that moment—
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