Chapter 14

Genevieve's heart skipped a beat. She quickly avoided his gaze, pretending to have just woken up. "Good morning." Tristan casually replied, "If you're awake, get up and have breakfast." "I don't want any. Thank you." "Even if you don't want it, you must eat." He stood beside her, and his cold eyes looked down at her. "Do I need to pull you up?" She rolled her eyes before slowly getting up. At the breakfast table, Jennifer smiled at Tristan. "It's the weekend today. You don't have anything to do, right? Then take Genevieve out for a walk and a bit of fun." "I'm busy," Tristan refused bluntly. Genevieve lowered her head. Of course, he was busy—he had plans with Harper. Jennifer furrowed her brows, about to speak to him, but Genevieve quickly interrupted, "It's fine. I already made plans with my best friend to go shopping later." Only then did Jennifer's expression soften, and she smiled kindly at Genevieve. "Next time, bring your best friend here. Oliver is still single…" "Heh! Don't even think about it." Lillian sneered. "Oliver is meant for a distinguished socialite, not some random, unrefined woman who doesn't deserve him." Genevieve's expression darkened slightly, and she smiled lightly at Lillian. "Actually, my best friend mainly looks at the character of her future mother-in-law. A person like you wouldn't be within her consideration, so don't worry." Lillian widened her eyes. "What do you mean? Are you implying that my character isn't good enough?" "Enough. What's the point of an elder always picking on a younger one?" Jennifer scolded Lillian, and Lillian's face reddened with anger. Genevieve lowered her head to eat but felt someone staring at her. When she finally lifted her head, she realized the man opposite was simply casually reading the newspaper, not even glancing in her direction. Was she imagining things? She disliked the awkward atmosphere at the table and quickly ate two pieces of bread before rushing out the door. Today was her birthday, and she had planned to celebrate with Heidi. They were meeting at the mall. As soon as Heidi arrived, she threw a shopping bag at her. "Happy birthday." Genevieve smiled at her. "You didn't have to buy a gift. I'm just happy that you can spend my birthday with me." There were very few people who remembered her birthday. "Why not? I'll feel bad if you don't let me buy you something." The gift was a dress, and Heidi urged her to change into it in the bathroom. When Genevieve emerged from the bathroom, Heidi's expression lit up. "You look so beautiful and graceful. It's perfect for you!" It was a pink sweater dress that highlighted her figure. Genevieve's fair skin made the pink even more radiant, and she looked gentle and graceful. "My taste is pretty good, right?" Heidi asked. Heidi handed her a smoothie, and they walked arm in arm, chatting and laughing while looking for a place to eat. Suddenly, someone slammed into her, and the smoothie spilled all over the person's body. "Watch where you're going! Are you blind?" the person yelled angrily. Genevieve felt the voice was familiar. She looked up, and sure enough, it was Harper. She was wearing a long white sequined dress with a fur shawl draped over her, looking incredibly elegant. However, the smoothie stained the hem of her dress, and Miriam quickly tried to wipe it with napkins, but Harper pushed her away in disgust. She glared fiercely at Genevieve. "I wondered who it was; it turns out it's the shameless woman who destroys other people's marriages! Genevieve, you're truly disgusting!" "Hey! Who are you insulting? You bumped into us, and now you're blaming us? How can you say such things to Genny?" Heidi snapped. "She's a slut who uses despicable methods to steal other people's men! She's so cheap!" Harper gritted her teeth, glaring at Genevieve. Heidi scoffed. "Oh, so Genny stole your man? Tsk, tsk! I'd say it's more like you're not charming enough to keep your man." "You!" Harper was furious, raising her hand as if to slap Heidi. Genevieve quickly grabbed her wrist, but a slap landed on her face just then. She turned in shock to see Miriam glaring at her. "Hurry up and apologize to Ms. Taylor. If you do, this matter will be over." "Mrs. Gadot!" Heidi looked at Miriam in disbelief. "She was the one who bumped into us and then insulted Genny. Why should we apologize? Just because you work in her family doesn't mean we should be afraid of her." Miriam ignored Heidi and stared at Genevieve. "Are you going to apologize or not?" Genevieve pressed her lips tightly together, gazing at Miriam. The look in her eyes made Miriam uneasy for a moment. At that moment, Tristan arrived. He walked up to Harper, glancing indifferently over Genevieve, but his gaze darkened slightly when he saw her delicate figure. "What's going on?" he asked. Harper, who had been fiercely glaring just moments ago, suddenly softened. "Genevieve somehow spilled her smoothie all over me and ruined the dress you gave me. But don't blame her. I'm sure she didn't do it on purpose." Heidi almost gagged. Harper could really act! His voice was indifferent. "It's just a dress. I'll buy you another one." "But it's the birthday gift you gave me. It's all my fault for being careless." Genevieve pursed her lip. She almost forgot—it was also Harper's birthday today. Miriam tugged at Genevieve's arm. "Hurry up and apologize to Ms. Taylor. It's her birthday. If she's happy, she won't blame you." Genevieve still didn't speak, only tightly clenching her hands at her side. Tristan looked at her, once again noticing the familiar stubbornness in her eyes. That stubbornness was something he disliked, something he wanted to destroy. He curled his lips, and a trace of amusement flickered in his cold eyes. "Apologize to Ms. Taylor," he said, each word weighing heavy. Genevieve trembled slightly, an inexplicable feeling of grievance and bitterness rising in her heart. She bit her lip but still said nothing. He stepped forward. His gaze was dark and cold as he barked, "I said apologize to Ms. Taylor!" His voice was calm but carried an intimidating pressure. Genevieve looked up at him, her eyes reddened with defiance. The more she resisted, the more he wanted to destroy her. He drew closer, an air of danger surrounding him. Miriam pulled at her. "Hurry up and apologize to Ms. Taylor. It won't kill you to apologize." "Forget it, Miriam. She probably didn't do it on purpose. Let's not make things difficult for her." "Sorry." Upon seeing Harper's fake act, Genevieve finally spat out those words with an expressionless look. But no matter how calm she appeared, her clenched fist was bleeding from the pressure of her nails. Heidi was angry and heartbroken. Though she feared Tristan, she couldn't hold back any longer, shouting at them, "Just because you're rich doesn't make you better! It's Genny's birthday today too. What gives you the right to bully her like this?"