Chapter 3

Seaworth City's upper crust gathered for Richard's birthday celebration the following day. It would start in three hours, but many guests had already arrived.

Everyone arrived in expensive cars; an Uber pulled up, standing out like a sore thumb. The guests were stunned when they saw who got out of the vehicle.

"What's going on? Has Giselle fallen so far that she has to take Ubers now? Didn't Jonathan arrange for a car to pick her up?"

"…Man, she's a mess. The Grant family kicked her out, and she's yet to marry Jonathan despite already being 25. I bet they're not going to walk down the aisle together."

The guests erupted into whispers around Giselle. Their gazes were either excited or pitying. They couldn't wait to see her humiliate herself.

She didn't care, though. She went straight to see Richard. When she arrived outside his door and raised a hand to knock, she heard the conversation inside.

"You're about to be married soon, Jonathan. You need to watch yourself and make sure you act properly when you're in public," Richard said sternly. His warning was clear.

Jonathan stood before him, his head lowered so his emotions were concealed. No one could see though what he was thinking. He said, "Charlotte and I are just friends, Grandpa."

Richard glared at him. "Just friends? Even best friends need to keep appropriate distances from each other! Why don't you tell me what you and Charlotte were doing earlier?"

"I was just tidying her hair because it was a little messy. You know Gigi is the one I have feelings for, Grandpa," Jonathan explained. He didn't think there was anything wrong with his earlier actions.

Richard smacked him with his walking cane, furious at his words. "If you really like Gigi, you should hurry up and marry her! It'll be too late for regret when someone else snaps her up!"

Giselle didn't hear Jonathan's response. She knocked on the door and interrupted the conversation. "Hi, Grandpa."

"You're here, Gigi." Richard's angry scowl immediately turned into a bright smile when he saw her. He beckoned at her to come closer.

Giselle didn't spare Jonathan a glance as she brushed past him.

"Jonathan must've picked out this gown for you, right? It fits you perfectly." Richard didn't notice Jonathan's expression darken as he complimented Giselle.

At five feet and five inches, Giselle was considered tall among women. The gown was simple yet luxurious—the off-shoulder design made her neck look long and slender. It also showed off her delicate collarbones. She even had a matching diamond necklace on.

Her long locks were tied back in a bun; a few stray strands framed her face. Her makeup was done exquisitely. She was the same person she'd always been, but something felt different.

Jonathan clenched his fists and suppressed his rage. Giselle told Richard the gown was from a friend before switching the subject, afraid he would probe further.

After chatting for a while, Richard brought the subject back to Jonathan and Giselle's wedding. He said, "You and Jonathan aren't young anymore, Gigi. When do you guys plan on marrying?"

"Jonathan and I have already—"

She wanted to say they'd already broken up, but Jonathan cut her off. "Mom said she's arriving soon, Grandpa. I'll take Gigi to see her."

Giselle wanted to refuse, but he gripped her wrist tightly. She frowned.

Richard watched them fondly. "Go on, then."

Once they left the room, Giselle shook Jonathan off. The corridor was silent—they were alone there. She asked, "Are you going to keep this a secret forever, Jonathan?"

"I told you Grandpa can't be agitated after just having surgery," he said impatiently. His sharp gaze landed on her, and he narrowed his eyes. "Why didn't you wear the gown I sent you?"

The one Giselle had on now looked simple, but the quality and workmanship were top-notch. One would've had to spend at least six figures on it. As far as he knew, she couldn't afford anything like it.

The Grant family couldn't care less about her, and she never used his money. With her salary, she probably couldn't even afford scraps. Someone had to have bought it for her.

Jonathan's face was scarily icy. He and Giselle stood face-to-face, the tension palpable.

She said calmly, "We've already broken up, Jonathan."

Her eyes, which were usually filled with love for him, were now stoic and devoid of emotion. Jonathan's heart ached for a split second, but he suppressed the unfamiliar feeling. He said, "You must be in such a rush to end our relationship because of the asshole who got you this gown."

He sounded so sure of himself that it was as if Giselle had cheated on him.

In the next second, she slapped him hard. Shock and rage overwhelmed him. He glared at her, a storm brewing in his eyes.

Giselle trembled with rage. Her palm was red, and it stung from the slap. Her gaze was filled with fury. "You're the one who betrayed our relationship, Jonathan!"

She thought about the things she'd seen the other night. Her stomach turned again, and she paled. She clenched her fists and took a deep breath, willing herself to calm down. "It's Grandpa's birthday celebration today, so I don't want to make things nasty. Don't piss me off."

She'd always been the weaker party in this relationship. Everyone knew she loved him—he thought so, too. Anyone else would leave Jonathan, but not Giselle.

Now, however… reality had given him a slap to the face. The Giselle before him was so unfamiliar that it was as if he'd never known her.

She turned and left without a look back, running into Charlotte when she turned the corner. The latter's outfit and style were almost identical to Giselle's, but their demeanors differed.

Charlotte looked good when she stood alone, but with Giselle by her side, it felt like she'd copied the latter's style.

Charlotte concealed the jealousy in her gaze and was about to speak when Giselle strode past her without sparing her a glance. Her face turned steely with anger.

…

Giselle didn't take the minor event to heart. Soon, the birthday celebration officially commenced. She found a deserted corner to hang out at.

Jonathan went on stage to give a speech as the Lawson family's representative. Then, Richard took the stage. He was still a little weak after recovering from a major illness.

He searched the crowd after a few sentences and soon located his target. "Why are you standing so far away, Gigi? Come to me."

Being called in public made Giselle feel self-conscious for a moment, especially when countless gazes landed on her. The Lawsons had differing opinions of her, but the Grants… Their expressions were hideous.

Giselle straightened the hem of her gown. As soon as she took a step, she felt a force holding her back. Then, she heard the sound of material being torn.