Chapter 778
Gianna had long been the Malone family’s cherished daughter, someone raised in comfort and indulgence, where her every wish was easily granted. She was accustomed to being placed above others and having her mistakes quietly cleaned up by those around her.
Repeatedly being put down by Anneliese, and each time coming out on the losing end, had slowly filled Gianna with growing envy and deep-seated bitterness.
Derek’s gaze briefly landed on her. In normal circumstances, he would never bother engaging directly with a younger, inexperienced person—it would feel like unnecessary intimidation and far below his dignity.
However, the incident today, especially the revelation that the fire had been concealed, left him with an unexpected sense of responsibility toward Anneliese, stirring a trace of guilt in him.
Since that truth surfaced, Derek hadn’t once had a proper conversation with Anneliese. Still, he felt a need to repair the relationship, even if only slightly.
His expression hardened as he looked at Gianna. “Since you’re clearly unwilling to own up to your mistake, Jake, escort our guest out p>
He immediately instructed the house steward, Jake Trout, to remove her. Jake stepped forward at once with several servants and approached Gianna.
No matter how foolish Gianna might be, she understood one thing clearly-being expelled by Derek at this moment did not mean the issue was resolved in her favor.
On the contrary, it signaled that things had completely spiraled beyond control. The situation had escalated, and the Fullbuster family was now prepared to confront the Malone family directly.
At that point, even if Adrian chose not to pursue the matter further, her grandfather Reuben would inevitably be informed and personally intervene.
Reuben was famously strict and unyielding. Even his own grandson, Steven, was never spared when punishment was warranted. Once he decided on discipline, there was no room for negotiation.
Gianna still vividly remembered what happened when she was seventeen. She had gone to a bar with friends and targeted a waitress she disliked, forcing the girl to kneel on shattered glass and apologize. Someone secretly filmed the incident and posted it online. Although the Malone family quickly suppressed the scandal and protected her identity, Reuben still believed she had tarnished their reputation. As punishment, he ordered her to kneel on the courtyard’s stone ground under the steward’s supervision for five straight hours. Afterward, she was so injured she remained bedridden for a week.
That memory had never faded; it felt permanently etched into her mind.
The Fullbuster family’s influence in Halden was immense. The Malones and Fullbusters had maintained close ties for years. If she became the reason they turned into adversaries, and Derek reported everything directly to Reuben… Gianna didn’t even dare continue the thought. She turned instinctively toward Steven, hoping for help, only to remember he was also caught in the fallout.
Steven himself had not resolved his own issues with her-there was no reason he would intervene on her behalf now.
Tears began streaming down Gianna’s face. With no other option left, she forced herself to soften her tone. “Old Mr. Fullbuster, I misspoke earlier. Please don’t kick me out. I… I just p>
Heat rose to her cheeks as she
continued, “I was too embarrassed. I truly realize my mistake now. Ljust thought… maybe Anneliese wouldn’t want to see me and that she might refuse to accept my apology p>
Her expression was filled with shame, though the remorse was insincere beneath
the surface. The humiliation she felt, however, was very real.
By then, Anneliese had already descended the stairs, holding Jonathan’s hand. Penelope glanced at her and said, “Anne, with everyone here today, we’re all standing with you, and we won’t allow anyone to wrong you. Just say whatever you need to say-loudly and early p>
Anneliese moved to sit beside
Penelope, but Jonathan kept an arm around her waist, refusing to let go
Immediately after, he added,
unwilling to be overshadowed
Honey, always trust you and
stand by your side as well
His tone was calm and warm as he guided her onto the couch beside him, still keeping his arm protectively around her slender waist, not sparing Gianna a single glance.
Seeing how completely Anneliese was surrounded and protected by the Fullbuster family-cherished as though she were the center of their world-Gianna’s jealousy curdled into something far darker.
Yet, despite the rage burning inside her, Derek’s earlier warning had frightened her enough that she no longer dared to act impulsively.
Suppressing the bitter taste rising in her throat, she turned toward Anneliese again. “Anneliese, I p>
Before she could finish, Anneliese lifted a hand and interrupted her. “Not yet. Answer two questions for me first p>
Gianna had only just gathered the courage to force out her apology and end the ordeal quickly.
But before she could even complete a sentence, Anneliese shut her down completely. Frustration tightened in Gianna’s chest, and an almost violent urge to lash out surged through her.
She had no intention of responding to any of Anneliese’s questions—not even a single one.