Dark Revenge Of A Jilted Bride: Till Life Do Us Part!-Chapter 41: Connections

What did they all see in this proud cousin of hers? Sabrina wondered, wounded when her eyes caught the tightening of Noah’s hands around Gianna’s waist, as if reinstating what he had said earlier, that they would have him to contend with if they had touched anything that belonged to Gianna.

Which they had. So, what would happen then? Would he cut them down? How much power did he have?

She believed enough—well, at least more than her father—for him to fork off a hundred million just for some old necklace, just for her ugly cousin.

But her father had connections... real connections... which Noah didn’t have.

She noted the impatience humming behind her, and bit back a cuss, her jaw tightening slightly.

Connections could be bought. She surmised, remembering they were holding the line; Noah’s act had brought to him all the connections he would ever need in this city.

Connections that would naturally profit her cousin, who, according to the media, was now a top designer at the Beckett’s firm; who already pushed the company’s fame and profit margin forward in less than one week.

How in the hell had that even happened?

Sabrina kissed her teeth, glaring at Gianna, though wise enough to keep it muted in front of Noah’s mild gaze.

Her cousin must be a witch! Especially with her luck with men.

First it was Zane. They had kept their relationship private, but she had seen one of the text messages, had read it up when Gianna had been in the bathroom, and had known who it was that had had her cousin flying first class all around the world.

Why did Gianna have all the good men lurking around her? Why did good things keep happening to her?

"Am I clear, Mr. Clement?"

Sabrina was aware of the anger radiating off her father, by the flaring of his nostrils and the stiffening of his posture, but she knew he wouldn’t be stupid to act out here—he could always do that in secret, just that peculiar way of his.

Well, unless Noah was really an ace, a bigshot.

"Of course, Mr. Noah. I would get everything sorted out, to ensure ease of the transfer. And I also apologise, Gianna. You are right... it was out of course, trying to auction off your mother’s jewellery without letting you know..."

This last sentence was directed to Gianna, who didn’t even bother to acknowledge the statement, her lashes lowered in detached dismissal, to the chagrin of the Clement family.

"Alright then, that will be all. You can leave now... the people wanting to see me are getting impatient..."

Clement swallowed the insult thickly, his throat bobbing, and stepped aside.

Gianna and Noah Newman. Whoever that bloke thought he was, he should have some respect!

"Come on, sweethearts, let’s go..." he managed to say to his wife and daughter.

The duo gave half-hearted goodbyes to the couple before they left the space, their steps a little too quick.

Gianna chuckled, watching them leave. "Nice play, Noah. I really might contemplate going on that date with you."

Noah smiled, pleased, his dimples cutting in shallow. "I aim to please, beauty."

Gianna snorted, but she was laughing, a little tension deflating from her shoulders, her fingers momentarily loosening on her clutch. Beauty? What was that? He had been calling her that all night...

"Do you need me to follow you then?"

She shook her head. "Not at all... you have already done the bulk part of the work, of which I truly appreciate..."

Her right brow raised of its own accord as she saw Mason and Esme approach them, looking anything but happy.

Before them, though, were politicians talking to both her and Noah, but she was tuned out, rather meeting Mason’s gaze, blank, wondering if whatever this was—whatever had happened tonight—would retire their new friendship.

"Is my cousin a good boss?" A sudden whisper in her ear.

Without turning aside, she threatened to cut off his lips should he lean down again in such a public atmosphere. Her eyes narrowed just slightly in warning.

She was already having enough to deal with these news going on the socials. Her friends would be beside themselves too.

In response, Noah chuckled lightly, as if she had told him she loved him, the sound warm against her cheek.

Gianna didn’t understand this man. Wait till she was out of here...

"Hello, cousin..." Mason greeted when he and Esme finally stood before Gianna.

Noah stretched his hand for a handshake, to which Mason shook amicably, though his eyes flicked between them with restrained annoyance.

"You didn’t tell us you will be returning..."

"Yeah... decided to surprise y’all... to risk it."

Gianna frowned, figuring that the male had already been in the city for a week, and his family hadn’t been aware. Why?

An enigma. She surmised she had successfully attached herself to one. Well, it wouldn’t be the case after tonight.

Just an hour or so, she consoled herself, and she would be free from all these flashes and the heels killing her feet, her toes curling inside the shoes in muted agony.

"So, you two are dating? How come?" Esme drove straight to the point, not one for long talk. Her arms crossed tightly under her chest. "Did you use his name while seeking a job in the company, because that would explain why..."

"Explains nothing, Esme. Stop it. I was there, remember... she did nothing of that sort. As a matter of fact, this is Gianna’s first time seeing him, or rather the second..."

A frown appeared on Mason’s face as he wondered on the possible first meeting.

Gianna saved him the stress. "We danced at a club sometime ago..." she said, not wanting to expose the male beside her. "Was a while, he was a total stranger, so I didn’t give him my contact... the last scandal had been the only way he was able to track me."

"Good for you then, Gianna. You snagged my brother to yourself too. You seem to be good at stealing."

Noah frowned, his eyes sharpening in a quiet, protective way. What was going on? "You two aren’t friends, I take it?"

Esme hissed. "She is the one I told you about, who stole my job... and you promised to talk to Uncle Arthur about it... don’t go back on your words now!" Her chin jutted forward, indignant.

Interesting. Gianna thought. Her job on the line again. Worse, because she was in some love triangle of some sorts.

Maintaining a bored countenance, she looked around the room again for any familiar face she could talk to, needing an escape from the familial tension, but who her eyes snagged on was Zane.

He was alone this time, and he was staring right at her.