Chapter 776
Wendy ended the call quickly, barely exchanging a few sentences.
“Steven has taken Gianna to the Fullbuster Residence to formally apologize and ask for forgiveness p>
The moment Pepper heard that Gianna had been brought there, her eye twitched slightly in response.
Jonathan and Anneliese were not the type to be lenient or easily appeased. Once they had control of a situation, they never loosened their grip, and there was no doubt Gianna would not escape without consequences.
“Adrian, we should go as well. We need to apologize directly to Mr. and Mrs. Fullbuster p>
Regardless of anything else, Adrian’s presence still served as backing for Gianna. With him there, the Fullbuster family would have to show some measure of restraint toward the Malone family.
Adrian turned to Wendy and asked, “Wendy, Ellie is still there too. Should we head over? We can apologize while also bringing Ellie back home p>
Given the situation, Wendy was also concerned about Anneliese. She worried that the incident might create tension or misunderstandings between Anneliese and Jonathan.
Without responding, she simply turned and walked out.
Adrian quickly followed behind her, continuing to speak. “Steven left in a rush, so he probably didn’t prepare any apology gifts. Since we’re going as parents, we can’t show up empty-handed. I’ll have my secretary prepare something right away, but I’m not sure what young girls like. I don’t really know Ms. Claude well. You’re closer to her, Wendy—what do you think she would appreciate? What would be appropriate?” He kept talking continuously, but Wendy’s expression remained unchanged. She didn’t even spare him a sideways glance as she walked straight into the elevator. Pepper trailed a step behind them. Watching the two of them standing side by side, she felt a sharp ache rise in her chest. Even now, Adrian’s attention was still fixed entirely on Wendy—so much so that he was willing to set aside his pride and keep reaching out despite receiving nothing in return.
Bitterness and jealousy welled up in her eyes. Just as Adrian was about to enter the elevator, she suddenly stumbled forward and bumped into his back.
He instinctively reached out to steady her, frowning slightly. “What’s wrong p>
Pepper lifted her face and forced a faint smile. “It’s nothing p>
Seeing how pale and exhausted she looked her face drained of color and her forehead damp with cold sweat—Adrian ultimately said nothing further.
He released her and turned around, only to realize Wendy had never waited. The elevator doors had already closed and were descending.
Frustration surged through Adrian. He pressed the button again harder than before and said to Pepper, “If you’re not feeling well, just go to the hospital p>
Pepper looked up at him. “I can still manage. Thank you for your concern, Adrian p>
He almost wanted to clarify that he wasn’t actually concerned about her at all—only irritated that she was complicating an already messy situation.
But then he remembered that Gianna was Pepper’s biological daughter and that they were all heading there because of Gianna’s problem. In the end, he had no
proper reason to stop her from going, so he stayed silent
The two of them stepped into the elevator together. When they reached the parking garage, Wendy had already left without waiting, just as expected her car was gone.
At the Fullbuster Residence.
When Gianna was led into the living room by Steven, Derek and Penelope were already seated on the couch. Jonathan and Anneliese were nowhere to be seen.
Steven stepped forward and offered a polite greeting, while Gianna followed behind him with her head lowered, mumbling an awkward hello of her own.
Her appearance was disheveled and miserable. She was still in home clothes that were far too thin for going outside, her hair was unkempt, and her eyes were red and slightly swollen.
It was obvious she had been dragged out without even the chance to properly prepare herself.
Behind her, two men in black suits were forcing a badly bruised Thomas forward.
Derek and Penelope had already heard about the rumors involving Anneliese. One look at the situation was enough for them to understand what was happening.
Derek’s gaze fell heavily on Gianna, sharp and oppressive. “She isn’t even your biological sister, so of course she was never truly dependable or worth trusting p>
Long ago, the Malone family’s infant daughter had passed away shortly after birth. Adrian and Wendy
divorced, and later he brought
another baby girl into the family and
raised her as the Malone heiress.
Twenty-three years had gone by, and only a handful of people still knew the truth. Derek and Penelope were clearly among them.
Those words felt like a blow that stripped Gianna bare. She stood there exposed, humiliated, and shaken.
Yet she didn’t dare to argue, let alone retort. Her face went completely pale, tears spilling uncontrollably down her cheeks as she stood frozen in shame.
Steven didn’t even bother looking at her. At Derek’s signal, he sat down calmly and said with a faint smile, “You’re absolutely right, Old Mr. Fullbuster. It’s a pity Mr. Malone never understood that p>