Chapter 305 In Two Minds, Emotional Turmoil
Her serene voice floated through the air – powerful, direct, tinged with a note of confrontation.
The man's sharp brows arched slightly, and his lips, cold to the extreme, let out his verdict, "Charlie doesn't need to be around someone indecisive and emotionally messy."
What? Anna couldn't believe her ears; it was as if she were hearing some tall tale, "Are you suggesting that I'm the one who’s indecisive and emotionally confused?"
Giorgio stood up and walked around his desk to stand before Anna, his patience wearing thin as he spoke, "One moment you're running back to an old flame, the next you're secretly meeting with Giuseppe, and in between, you're still emotionally tied to your ex. If you don't think that's emotionally confusing, then you surely don't know the size of your own heart."
Anna choked up.
Everything she had done had a reason, a justification!
But… how could she explain that to him?
Giorgio perceived her speechlessness as having nothing to defend herself with.
He lifted his hand and placed the check on her chest, "Get out."
His few words were as precious as gold, his indifference as cold as ice, his tone brooking no argument.
Anna wanted to say more, but the office door was knocked upon, and Tony stood at the threshold, "Nine, Mr. Vittorio... the meeting is about to start."
Giorgio just grunted coldly, turned around, picked up the documents from his desk, and strode out without giving Anna another glance.
Anna was left speechless...
Since that day, Giorgio had forcefully taken Charlie back to his own mansion, not even allowing the boy to linger after school, treating them as strangers, only to be watched from afar.
Anna's world suddenly calmed, a calm so profound it was empty and filled with loss.
But she knew she couldn't cling too much to Charlie. The time they had shared was a blessing, and she needed to move on.
She kept her spirits up, spending her days in the Stefanelli family's backyard with Sara, quietly live-streaming, and her nights caring for her daughter. Her life was remarkably peaceful.
She even began to think about finding an excuse to return to Vista Heights.
However, fate seemed to have other plans. She didn't get the chance to find an excuse before trouble came knocking.
That afternoon, just as Anna was picking up Penny to prepare dinner, Judy appeared at the gate, "Ms. Anna, young master Giuseppe has arrived and requests to see you."
Giuseppe?
"Tell him I'm busy and I don't have time," Anna rejected him immediately.
But a moment later, a man's voice drifted through the air, "Is Ms. Anna planning on burning bridges after crossing?"
Anna looked up to see a man stepping toward her in an elegantly tailored gray pinstripe suit. With one hand casually tucked into his pocket and a distinguished air about him, he exuded a scholarly and noble charm. His glasses reflected like mirrors; beneath them, his eyes held a deep meaning that seemed to laugh yet hinted at danger.
She knew he was referring to the recent scandal involving a 'kiss photo' leaked to the media. Not wanting Penny to overhear or for him to see Penny, Anna quickly walked over to him, "Mr. Vittorio, let's talk outside."
"Of course," Giuseppe replied with a gentlemanly smile, following her out.
Once outside, Anna got straight to the point, "What did you need to discuss?"
Giuseppe looked at her and replied succinctly, "My grandmother's birthday is tomorrow. As the niece-in-law who garners much attention, you are expected to join me in selecting a gift and to attend the birthday banquet."
Anna frowned at the sudden request and refused, "Mr. Vittorio, not to mention how Giorgio and Viviana have treated me, but considering our current relationship, you know I can't go. Just find some excuse, and if need be, I can feign illness and check into a hospital."
"Miss Stefanelli, when it was time to cooperate with you, I spared no resource. Are you sure you're going to overlook my situation now?" Giuseppe retorted.
Anna paused momentarily but then looked at him calmly and rationally, "It's not about overlooking; it's about one lie leading to countless more. Mr. Vittorio, with your influential position, you must understand the consequences of escalating matters. What we need to do right now is not confront the media but to start solving issues quietly."
The girl was too smart for her good.
Giuseppe hadn't encountered someone like her—thrust into high society yet unmoved in her core principles. He said, "Solving the problem is necessary, but the news broke out. It will only lead to more speculation if we don't handle it well. How about this, we deal with it after tomorrow's event?"
Anna was left speechless.
After tomorrow, who knew what the situation would become? Indeed, the recent focus of everyone was on her and Giuseppe. Her Twitter was flooded daily with messages from followers, and if she didn't show up at such a significant event, it could be difficult to explain her absence...
"Mr. Vittorio is here for Anna, huh?" In the midst of Anna's hesitation, Dylan Moore came over.
She greeted Giuseppe with polite friendliness and pulled Anna aside, whispering, "Keep a low profile these days. No more scandals, and the Stefanelli family can't afford it, nor can you. Also, Giuseppe is a good man. If you could marry him, that would be a blessing. Be good to him."
Her words seemed to be for Anna's benefit, but it was clear she hoped Anna would latch onto Giuseppe, the influential figure, to elevate the Stefanelli family further.
Anna, however, had no intention of arguing. A chill settled at the bottom of her heart.
The slap from that day had already shattered all her emotions.
Without any sign of feeling, she said, "I know."
Then, she turned to Giuseppe, "Let's go."
Dylan Moore's lips curled into a smile. This Anna had finally learned to follow instructions.
If she could marry into a wealthy family by getting close to Mr. Vittorio, then why shouldn't they recognize her?
What she didn't know was that Anna was with Giuseppe precisely because he was wavering and had no desire to see her.
Having nothing to say is more hurtful than arguing, than confrontations or dislike, when even getting angry feels unnecessary.
The day was a bit chilly.
The sky was dotted with a drizzle of rain, and a cold breeze made it even more biting.
Anna had come out dressed casually, even wearing slippers.
As the car pulled up on Antique Street, the moment she stepped out, she couldn't help but rub her hands together urgingly, "What does your grandmother like? Let's pick something quickly and get home."
Giuseppe looked at her.
She resembled Katherine, but Katherine would never go out barefaced, living every moment in refined grace, unlike Anna's overly casual way, not like a lady at all.
He had no idea what led her to live like this.
He took off his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders, "Let's go in and see."
A sudden warmth enveloped Anna, which took her by surprise, and she swiftly rejected it, "No need, I'm not used to wearing a man's clothes." Who knows what kind of germs were on them from other women?
With that, she quickly ran ahead.
Giuseppe was left speechless...
The first time a woman rejected him, why did he feel a slight sense of loss?
He sighed and followed her.
To his surprise, Anna stopped in her tracks at the doorway of a shop as if frozen.
"What's wrong?" he asked, following her gaze, and that's when he saw—
Inside the store, Giorgio, dressed in a fine suit, and Katherine, clad in a meticulously crafted cheongsam, were selecting items, the image one of beauty and warmth.
So, that was it.
His gaze narrowed, and he took Anna's hand and walked straight out, "Giorgio, Katherine."
Anna was in shock. She didn't want to face Giorgio. Why was Giuseppe dragging her into this?
And holding her hand!
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