Chapter 281 He said: "Get in the car"
"Giorgio, grandma, sorry I'm late," came a gentle voice.
Katherine and Anna entered the scene, much to everyone’s notice.
Even apart the two had looked similar, but standing together, the resemblance was uncanny.
Carla shot Anna a fierce look, then turned to Katherine with a smile, "No worries at all. You went straight to set the record straight. It shows you're smart and thinking big picture."
Davide stepped forward...
His hand landed on Anna's face with a resounding 'slap!'. The blow was swift, forceful, and completely unforeseen. Anna's cheek recoiled from the impact, leaving a vivid red mark on her otherwise porcelain-like complexion.
She lifted her eyes, her cool and terrifying gaze meeting Davide, "What right do you have to hit me?"
Davide proclaimed with righteous indignation, "I am your father! You're not even married, and you've done such things with a man; of course, you deserve to be slapped!"
"And you nearly ruined your sister with your reckless behavior. Compared to her, you're simply thoughtless," Carla added with disapproval.
Anna looked at them, a cold smirk playing at the corners of her mouth. That smile was ridiculous.
It was a mocking of their naivety, ignorance, stupidity, and cold-heartedness.
Their daughter, whom they were so proud of, would have plummeted straight into hell if it weren't for Anna!
The one they despised was merely a well-intentioned scapegoat!
She was very curious to see their expressions when they learned the truth.
Afraid that Anna would spill the beans, Katherine stepped forward quickly, "Dad, Mom, Anna's an adult. She can make her own decisions about her relationships. You shouldn't treat her this way."
"Katherine, you're just too kind. Why speak on her behalf?" Carla said, holding Katherine's hand.
Viviana spoke disdainfully, "Since this has all been a misunderstanding, there's no need for further discussion. Let's have that jinx leave. She's such an eyesore."
The butler approached, his tone seemingly polite but firm, "Miss, our Viviana isn't feeling well right now, particularly her heart. Please step out for a bit."
Anna had no desire to stick around anyway.
She cast a glance at Katherine, turned, and left straight away.
Katherine sent Anna a look filled with apologies and gratitude. Once Anna was out of sight, she exhaled a sigh of relief and then gently and kindly said, "Dad, Mom, my sister was willing to come forward and help clarify things. That's a good thing. Treat her better in the future.
Grandma, no matter what, she's still my sister, and you do like her too."
Faced with her gentle kindness, Davide and Carla had nothing more to say, and it wasn't appropriate to speak there.
After all, family shame should not be aired in public.
Viviana, however, sighed, "Katherine, I apologize for that. You are so good, and I didn't trust you. I even got so upset that I ended up in the hospital. I've caused you to worry."
Katherine moved to sit beside her, "Grandma, how can you say such things? It's normal to have doubts under such circumstances. But please, you mustn't worry like that anymore. I'm devoted to Giorgio, I know my boundaries, and I would never do anything to harm the Vittorio family."
Viviana raised a smile, "Eh, all right. Giorgio, have someone deal with the photos online and then let the PR department take the opportunity to release some statements. Reinforce the public's perception of the Vittorio Group."
Giorgio let out a cold hum, his words secretive, "You rest first. I'll handle it."
Having uttered those words, he left, carrying an air of noble detachment. Outside, Anna, her cheek stinging, felt at a loss for words. If she had expected to be slapped, she would never have come.
"Hey!" A figure suddenly appeared before her, blocking her path.
Looking up, Anna saw a woman in a doctor's white coat, a facade of 'goodwill' plastered across her face – it was Edith.
Anna didn't recognize the dress she was wearing, "Who are you?"
"Hello, I'm a friend of your brother-in-law. I wanted to ask if that's really you in the video. You seem to have never shown up in Crownhaven before, so how could you have had an affair with Giuseppe? Your sister, on the other hand, has been seen in private with Giuseppe in the back garden; their relationship looked anything but normal! Are you covering for your sister? Did she pay you to take the fall? I'm telling you, it's better not to get involved in these things. It could be a huge stain on your life,"
Edith told her with a kind, considerate face as if she truly had Anna's best interests at heart.
Anna scoffed internally. Did she not know exactly what games Edith was playing or what she was trying to do?
Anna responded, "You're overthinking it. Why would I want to be a scapegoat? And you, claiming to be my brother-in-law's friend, are so curious about this matter. What's your angle – trying to take down my sister to climb the ladder yourself?"
Edith’s face tightened at the veiled accusation.
This twin sister! She appeared so naive and innocent, but she was just as tough as Katherine and not to be trifled with!
Edith was at a loss for words.
Anna didn't bother with her any further, "Step aside."
She brushed past Edith, who was left blocking the way.
Anna wanted to leave quickly, but unexpectedly, as soon as she stepped out of the elevator, a swarm of reporters surrounded her, "Are you Anna?"
"You really do look exactly like Katherine!"
"Can you explain the nature of your relationship with Giuseppe? When did you two start seeing each other? Are you still together?"
"What have you been doing for the past twenty-something years? Why have you never been seen in Crownhaven?"
"Did you release the news yourself?"
"Is this your strategy for breaking into the circle?"
Question after question, all pointed and probing.
The flash from cameras nearly blinded her.
Although Anna had faced the media as Katherine before, she had never been the target of such aggressive questioning.
Especially now, with no way out, surrounded by reporters and the elevator at her back blocking any retreat.
She tried to keep her demeanor calm and looked at everyone, "Don't you think to answer your questions, I should at least be given a chance to speak and space to breathe?"
Her voice was loud, with a hint of rhetorical question.
The reporters paused.
One had to admit that the daughters of the Stefanelli family had a powerful presence.
They stepped back and gave her room, "Miss Stefanelli, could you now respond to our earlier questions?"
Anna knew they wouldn't leave her without answers, and her silence would only lead to more speculation and stories created out of thin air.
She answered them, one by one, "First off, my relationship with Giuseppe is personal, and I have the right to keep it to myself," she stated firmly.
"Second, you might wonder why I've stayed out of the spotlight for the past two decades. Well, when I was born, a fortune teller doomed me by declaring I had an ill-fated life, like some kind of jinx. My parents dumped me in the countryside to be raised by strangers and banned me from setting foot in Crownhaven."
"Third, I'm not interested in joining your elite circles or becoming a constantly trending topic. From here on, I'd appreciate it if you'd all refrain from speaking or writing a single word about me. Just like the past twenty years, I'll remain out of your world. I've said what I needed to say, now if you'll excuse me."
With that, she navigated through the crowd, striding past the surprised onlookers confidently. Her dignified presence left the reporters speechless. Isn't she just an average person? Yet, her demeanor appears even more powerful than the prominent women in our social circles! This was definitely sensational material!
After Anna left the hospital, she hailed a taxi with a gesture.
"Shh!" A sleek, low-key car pulled up in front of her. The window rolled down to reveal Giorgio's striking, coolly handsome face, "Get in."
‘It was him!’ Anna exclaimed internally. Was he really inviting her into his car in front of everyone? Instinctively, Anna was on the verge of refusing.
His lips lifted in a half-smirk, "If you want to be caught on camera, by all means, stand there."
Suddenly, Anna remembered the reporters trailing behind her.
Without hesitation, she swiftly pulled open the car door and hurried inside without saying another word.
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