When His Perfect Mask Shattered I Awoke (Anneliese and Zacharias) novel Chapter 774

If Adrian had shown even the slightest sign of siding with Pepper, Yale would have abandoned Wendy without hesitation and switched camps immediately.

But Adrian's attitude had always made one thing obvious—he still wanted to reconcile with his ex-wife. Because of that, Yale never dared to make careless promises to Pepper.

At this moment, Yale felt nothing but relief that he hadn't acted rashly.

Seeing Pepper reduced to such a pathetic state, it was clear all her plotting and calculations had ultimately achieved nothing.

"Gianna! Where the hell are you? Were you the one who spread those rumors about Steven?"

The instant the call connected, Adrian's furious voice exploded through the phone.

He had expected Gianna to burst into tears and deny everything. Instead, her frightened, desperate plea came rushing from the other side.

"Dad! I made a stupid mistake in the heat of the moment. I just couldn't stand Anneliese. I never meant to go after Steven. I know I messed up. Dad, please help me. Steven's taking me somewhere, but I don't even know where they're bringing me..."

By then, Gianna was already far away from the Malone Residence. She sat trapped in the backseat, restrained by two men dressed in black. One bodyguard beside her radiated an icy, intimidating aura, while the other side was occupied by Thomas, bruised and bloodied, his entire body carrying the heavy smell of dried blood.

Steven himself wasn't in the same vehicle. He rode ahead in another car, leading the convoy.

The atmosphere during the drive had been suffocatingly silent. None of the bodyguards or even the driver had spoken a single word. Earlier, while the car had stopped at a traffic light, Gianna had tried to escape by throwing open the door. One of the guards had struck her immediately. Angry red marks now circled both her wrists.

They had also confiscated her freedom to use her phone. The only reason she was even allowed to answer this call was that the guard noticed Adrian's name on the screen.

Gianna had no clue where Steven intended to take her, nor did she know what kind of punishment awaited her. The fear consuming her now was completely real.

"So it really was you, Gianna!" Adrian roared after hearing her confession. "This wasn't some temporary impulse. You're vicious to the core!"

The moment Gianna admitted the truth, Adrian realized Steven must already have undeniable evidence in his hands. There was no longer any room for doubt.

Thinking back to how he had defended Gianna earlier, he even convinced himself there had been some misunderstanding, and it made humiliation burn across his face.

His tone became colder and harsher with every word. He had already been in a terrible mood all day, and now the anger inside him finally erupted completely.

Gianna was clearly terrified by his fury. She shook uncontrollably for a long time, unable to force out a single sentence. Only broken sobs could be heard through the phone.

"You don't get to cry after what you did!"

"Dad, I know I was wrong! Please, I really do! Where's Mom? Mom, please talk to Dad for me. Steven's completely lost his mind. He already had the guards hit me! Mom?"

Realizing Adrian was genuinely enraged, Gianna could only place her hopes on Pepper.

Why is Wendy with Dad? Isn't Mom supposed to be there with him?

Before this, she had always pretended to be devastated in front of Wendy, constantly making it known that she didn't accept Pepper as her real mother.

Yet just now, she'd instinctively called Pepper "Mom" over the phone. Wendy's calm but mocking response felt like a brutal slap to the face, forcing Gianna to face reality.

No matter how much she begged, Wendy would never help her.

Worse still, Wendy was currently with Adrian. That meant she had most likely already learned about the rumors Gianna spread regarding Anneliese and Steven and had come personally to confront Adrian about it.

"Gianna, you've truly let me down!"

Before Gianna could even think of a response, Adrian's icy voice sounded again from the other end.

Then the call abruptly disconnected.

Every ounce of strength seemed to leave Gianna's body at once. She collapsed weakly against the seat, her expression drained and lifeless.

Inside the office, Adrian lowered the phone awkwardly before glancing uneasily at Wendy beside him.

"Wendy, Gianna really has been spoiled beyond reason because of me. Seeing her just made me think of..."