Chapter 308 Sweetheart, You're Still Too Green
The man was exceptionally tall. His presence felt like an invisible force field. Giorgio moved toward her with deliberate steps like a hunter zeroing in on his prey. Anna tensed up, instinctively stepping backward, "What do you want? If you come any closer, I will scream for help!"
With a scornful chuckle, Giorgio stopped just a step away from her, his deep eyes locked on her, "Don't you know that with just one word from me, both you and Giuseppe would stand no chance? No man in the world would dare to marry you."
The thought of losing Giuseppe didn't bother her much, nor did the threat of other men not wanting her. But what could Giorgio say to make all men avoid marrying her? His words implied that she had been intimate with him, which was her greatest fear.
Anna paled, teeth clenched in anger, "You...!"
"What about me?" Giorgio asked darkly, raising his hand, his long fingers gently wiping away the remaining coffee on her lip, "An outspoken sweetheart like you is still too green to test my limits."
After his profound words, he withdrew his hand and walked away, leaving a tingling sensation on Anna's lips where his fingertips had been. The air felt cold, with his chilling aura still lingering.
Rooted to the spot, Anna felt helpless and resigned. She had thought that Giorgio would stay away and become a stranger by becoming Giuseppe's girlfriend in name. But why couldn't he just leave her alone?
"Miss, I've brought the ointment," the store clerk came rushing back. Seeing Anna's aggrieved expression, mistaking it for pain from a wound, she apologetically stammered, "I'm so sorry. I was looking at the kettle earlier and didn't see you coming. You must be hurt. Let me blow on it to ease the pain."
Her voice was rushed and frantic as she reached for Anna's hand. Returning to reality, Anna saw the girl's almost tearful state and quickly shook her head to reassure her, "It's okay. It's much better now. Don't blame yourself. Just give me the ointment; I'll be fine."
"Really?" the clerk asked, hopeful.
"Yes, look, it's not that red anymore."
"Would you mind leaving your contact or adding me on Instagram, just in case? You can contact me anytime, and I'll take responsibility."
Anna was about to say that such a minor burn wouldn't be a problem, but seeing the sincerity and helplessness of the clerk, she decided to provide some reassurance, "Alright, add me on WhatsApp instead."
She preferred that over Instagram, which was too private to share with strangers. The clerk didn't mind at all; she gratefully nodded and took out her phone to add Anna on WhatsApp.
Just as they finished, the sight of Giuseppe caught the corner of Anna's eye. She spoke up, "It's okay now. You can go back to what you were doing."
"Okay, thanks a lot, really," the young clerk bowed profusely with her phone in hand and left.
Giuseppe approached, his gaze settling on Anna. He scanned her from head to toe and, with a hint of surprise, inquired—
"How did you hurt your hand? And that shirt is Giorgio's, isn't it?" Anna recalled the words Giorgio had said to her and their proximity, her heart tightening as she explained,
"It's nothing, just a minor burn. You got your shirt wet, too, and Giorgio saw that I was cold, so he gave me his. By the way, what took you so long?"
Hearing this, a flicker of discomfort crossed Giuseppe's eyes as he adjusted his glasses, "I ran into an acquaintance and had a chat. So, did you find any collectibles that you liked?"
Anna breathed a sigh of relief, grateful he didn't inquire further about her interactions with Giorgio.
She said, "No, and besides, it seems a bit inappropriate for you, Giorgio, and Katherine to all buy gifts here. Perhaps we should go somewhere else?"
Giuseppe could clearly sense Anna's avoidance of Giorgio, but he accomplished his aim for the day.
And considering the earlier encounter with Katherine in the restroom...
"Sure, let's go." He concealed his expression and casually greeted Giorgio before leading Anna away from the antique shop.
Once outside, Anna finally felt like she could breathe fresh air.
For her, any place Giorgio was at seemed suffocating.
"Mr. Vittorio, my arm is burned, so I can't wear anything fancy tomorrow. Can I just say the gift is my personal choice and not attend in person?"
Giuseppe wasn't about to let Anna off the hook.
He had a purpose for wanting her there.
He looked at her and said, "That little injury is nothing. I will send you a formal dress, and you must not renege on the promise you made earlier."
Anna was speechless.
It was just her luck to repeatedly get tangled up with people or matters related to Giorgio!
She thought to herself that with so many guests and media reporters, Giorgio would be too busy to bother with her.
Yet, sadly, reality would far exceed her expectations.
As the lights came on that evening, the hotel shone with opulent brilliance.
The Crownhaven elite, government officials, and celebrities gathered together, festively celebrating Giorgio Viviana's birthday.
Upstairs, the Vittorio family met privately to present their gifts first.
"Mother, this is a rare jadeite we located after three months of searching, especially for you. We wish you fortune as vast as the Eastern seas and a life as enduring as the Southern mountains," Matteo said with his wife, presenting the exquisite jade.
His brothers and sisters stepped forward one by one with their well wishes, "Mother, this is a wild ginseng, a thousand years old, for your health and happiness."
"Mother, I've secured these pearls from the Eastern sea for your daily fulness, vibrant health, and everlasting joy."
Each blessing rang with sincerity, and each gift held considerable value.
If onlookers could witness this display, they would be admired and envied.
After the older generation finished presenting their gifts, it was time for the younger ones to do the same.
Katherine walked alongside Giorgio to the center of the room and presented a specially selected gift, "Grandma, this is a gift from Giorgio and me. We hope you like it."
The exquisite mahogany box opened, revealing a vintage and delicate ring!
The ring was set with a large and lustrous ruby, its texture translucent and fiery red - a gem of unmistakable value, easily recognized even by those unfamiliar with fine jewelry.
What struck everyone even more was its oddly familiar design.
With her sharp eyesight, Viviana exclaimed with surprised delight, "Isn't this the very ring that belonged to a lady of an ancient royal family?"
Katherine smiled warmly, "Yes, we were considering picking an antique for you at first, but then we thought you already had such an extensive collection. Another wouldn't seem sincere. So, we went out of our way to find this ring, putting in a lot of effort to get our hands on it. I'm glad you like it, Grandma."
Her tone was gentle, filled with filial piety and sincerity.
Everyone knew that a ring worn by a royal lady wasn't just any collectible. Its worth surpassed several levels of ordinary treasures, and it wasn't something one could easily acquire, much less measure with money.
Furthermore, Katherine's remark about choosing something unique over adding to an already vast collection subtly highlighted her thoughtful effort and implicitly criticized others.
Her aunts and sisters, who had offered antiques as gifts, couldn't help but look displeased upon hearing this.
Viviana, however, couldn't stop smiling, "Good, good, good! Katherine and Giorgio always put so much thought into their gifts. Every birthday, they put their hearts into it. Dear, come and put the ring on for me."
"Sure thing, Grandma!" Katherine happily stepped forward and slid the ring onto Viviana's finger with a beaming smile.
Brisa sneered discreetly, always disdainful of those who relied on cunning and sweet talk.
Yet, there was another incumbent this year.
She turned her gaze to Anna and said, "Giuseppe, Miss Stefanelli, what have you prepared for your grandmother? Miss Stefanelli is Katherine's twin sister; she must be just as dutiful and thoughtful, right?"
Though it sounded like praise, its intention was more akin to a concealed dagger.
Anna's palms became clammy.
She and Giuseppe had prepared...
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