Chapter 70

Giselle sat slumped on the cold bathroom floor, her whole body dazed and heavy, barely able to remember how everything had just happened. Thinking back to what Donovan had said, she realized that he no longer responded to threats; he only responded to softness.

She quickly forced herself to pull it together and stood up. Looking at herself in the mirror, she saw her messy hair, smudged lipstick, and the missing button on her collar, which left a wide swath of skin exposed—she looked like someone who had just been taken by force. She wiped the remaining makeup with a wet tissue and combed her hair until her reflection appeared composed. Only then did she finally leave the bathroom.

Just as she stepped out, she saw Donovan coming downstairs in a fresh change of clothes. Without saying a word to anyone, he walked straight past the living room and got into his car, leaving the villa. Giselle returned to her seat like nothing had happened.

“Why did Don leave all of a sudden?” Grace was the first to speak, looking puzzled. “Weren’t we still discussing his engagement? He didn’t even say anything. Did someone upset him?”

“Maybe something urgent came up at work,” Ethan said.

Renee and Tony both looked uncomfortable. Neither leaving nor staying felt right.

Anne, who had been silent the whole time, understood better than anyone why Donovan had left without a word.

“Mrs. Kane Senior, Mr. Kane, Mrs. Kane, thank you for your hospitality today. I’ll take my leave now.” Giselle decided there was no reason to stay any longer and formally said her goodbyes. As she did, she cast a deliberate glance at Anne and gave her a subtle smile. Anne glared back, instantly recognizing the post-pleasure glow on Giselle’s face.

A wave of clarity crashed through her. She suddenly understood what happened in the bathroom between Giselle and Donovan. Her heart clenched with pain. More provocative than ever, Giselle waved at her and said a breezy “bye” before striding away.

“Mr. Holt, I don’t recall you ever mentioning that daughter of yours,” Dorothea said once Giselle had left, unable to resist steering the conversation her way.

“Well…” Tony forced a laugh. “She hasn’t spent much time with us, grew up overseas. She’s a bit rebellious, and I didn’t want to embarrass myself in front of you.”

“She’s still your daughter. You should treat both your children equally,” Dorothea said, her tone meaningful.

“Of course,” Tony answered hesitantly.

Renee smiled and picked up the cue. “Mrs. Kane Senior, since you’ve asked, I think it’s only right that I formally explain. We’re going to be family after all, and there shouldn’t be any secrets.”

Then she launched into the well-rehearsed story she had prepared.

“Giselle’s biological mother was actually my adoptive parents' daughter—my sister, in a way. Tragically, she died in a car accident when she was very young. At the time, Giselle was just four years old and didn’t know anything. My foster parents felt sorry for her and decided I should marry Tony, Giselle’s father.

“It was a difficult decision for both Tony and me. After all, he had been my sister’s husband. But considering Giselle had already lost her mother, if Tony remarried someone else, it would likely hurt her emotionally. So after much thought, we agreed to marry and create a complete family for her.”

Hearing this version of the truth, Dorothea was surprised. She looked at Renee with newfound respect. “That must have been hard for you.”

“It was,” Renee sighed. “Mr. Kane Senior, you have no idea how rebellious Giselle has been over the years. She’s done so many things that broke our hearts…”