Chapter 779

After a few previous run-ins with Anneliese, Gianna had already realized she was not someone easy to corner. The two questions could easily hide a deeper trap— she couldn't afford to answer blindly.

Tears gathered in her eyes as she forced herself to speak. "Anneliese... I admit I was wrong. I'm sorry, I really..."

To Gianna, an apology was the safest escape route. Saying it cost her nothing, and it spared her from having to respond to anything else.

It was just a single word of regret. She doubted it would ever reach beyond this room anyway. For the Malone family's image, Steven would likely ensure it stayed contained.

Since no one else would know about it, she assumed it wouldn't matter either way.

But Anneliese's gaze cooled immediately. Gianna's half-hearted apology, so obviously insincere, only made her lips curl with faint disdain.

"That's your apology?" Anneliese said flatly. "It sounds like something a child would throw out. I've only wanted to ask you two simple questions, and you're already trembling?"

Gianna's opinion of Anneliese as sharp and merciless only deepened. Even after she had apologized, Anneliese still refused to ease up.

Before she could respond, a familiar female voice came from the doorway.

"Anne, just ask her."

Gianna spun around immediately. The moment she saw Wendy step inside, hope lit up in her eyes.

Wendy had been with Adrian when Gianna spoke to him earlier in the car. If Wendy were here now, that meant Adrian must be close behind.

Her father was here.

She was finally not alone.

Almost instinctively, Gianna looked past Wendy—and as expected, Adrian appeared at the entrance with Pepper, both of them rushing in after her.

Her emotions collapsed in an instant. Eyes turning red, she rushed forward as if she had been wronged terribly.

"Dad! I already apologized, but Anneliese still refuses to accept it. I just acted on impulse..."

Gianna believed Adrian had come because he was concerned for her, worried she might be mistreated by the Fullbuster family.

To her, Adrian had always been her strongest protection-someone who had

indulged her since childhood and never truly denied her anything.

Her complaint was clear beneath her tears-Anneliese was being unreasonable despite already gaining the upper hand. Her crying face made her look fragile and pitiful, enough to convince anyone unfamiliar with the situation that she was the one suffering.

"That only proves your apology still isn't sincere enough!"

Gianna's expectations shattered instantly. Before she could even reach him, Adrian raised a hand to stopher His expression was steen and his tone carried a severity she had never heard before.

Gianna froze completely, a chill running through her chest.

Adrian was her foundation. If he withdrew his support, she had nothing left to rely on inside the Malone family.

Even her tears seemed to stop mid-flow. Realizing her usual tactics wouldn't work, she quickly swallowed her resentment and lowered her tone.

"Then... I'll apologize properly again."

"Do it," Adrian replied coldly. "A mistake is still a mistake. Anyone from the Malone family should have the courage to own it. I'll be watching."

Then he turned toward Derek and Penelope.

"Old Mr. and Mrs. Fullbuster, I apologize for arriving so suddenly. I failed in raising my daughter

properly brought some modemet

gifts, an apology—please accept them, and hope Anneliese will as weff. It would ease my conscience slightly."

With a gesture, he signaled the bodyguards behind him.

Six men stepped forward, each carrying stacks of gift boxes and bags, preparing to present them.

Derek lifted a hand. "No need for that just yet."

He then looked toward Anneliese. "Anne, go ahead and ask what you want first."

Gianna had not even completed her apology, so there was no reason for the Fullbuster family to accept gifts so quickly. They were not short of such things anyway.

Anneliese hadn't expected Derek to address her so directly. She had always been sensitive to others' emotions, and she could tell he had been quietly showing her goodwill all day.

The tension in her chest still lingered, and she wasn't ready to simply let everything

go. But she also wouldn't embarrass him publicly.

At least for now, they shared the same opposition.

She gave Derek a small nod. "Alright."

Derek understood the gesture. Even if it was only for appearances, hearing her respond to him softened something in his chest, and he finally allowed himself a quiet breath of relief.