Gianna and Pepper hurried forward, overhearing Adrian invite Anneliese to coborate.


    Gianna couldn''t tell if Adrian respected Anneliese or just wanted to please Wendy.


    But the scene provoked her.


    Gianna forced a smile. "Congrats, Anneliese. With Mr. Fullbuster backing you, you get whatever you want."


    Anneliese only performed so well because Jonathan got her the questions in advance.


    How else could Jonathan be the special guest presenting the final award?


    I only lost because I was one step behind. Clearly, the people Jonathan secretly hired for Anneliese are more capable than anyone on my side.


    Anneliese heard the sarcasm. Before she could reply, Jonathan''s face turned cold.


    "My wife won because she''s intelligent, diligent, quick-thinking, and uniquely gifted. She earned it herself."


    Despite not being someone who blushed easily, Anneliese still felt her face warm at his words.


    It felt like self-promotion. She nced at him, signaling restraint.


    He looked at her,pletely serious, as if he truly believed every word.


    Anneliese''s ears burned. She straightened, epting her husband''s public praise with a smile.


    Gianna didn''t expect Jonathan''s strong reaction. When the others looked at her, her face turned pale.


    "I... I..." she stammered.


    Jonathan''s cold gaze swept over her.


    In an instant, the excuses she had been about to give vanished from her mind. She stumbled over her words twice but couldn''t say a singleplete sentence.


    Jonathan curved his lips into a smile devoid of warmth. He wrapped an arm around Anneliese''s shoulders, the gesture intimate yet carrying unquestionable authority.


    "As for backing—yes, I am her supporter. But all I did was trust she''d silence every doubter herself."


    He paused slightly, his voice dropping even lower. "Just like now."


    Gianna''s lips trembled. "I''m sorry, I''m really sorry. I truly didn''t mean to question anything I just don''t


    express myself well and made ye


    etand me, Jonathan..."


    misunderstand me, Jonathan..."


    Her eyes reddened, and her shoulders shook.


    She looked so fragile that it almost made Jonathan seem like a bully.


    Jonathan couldn''t push further, or it would look like bullying.


    But Anneliese wouldn''t let her man be framed.


    Anneliese tugged Jonathan''s sleeve. "Let it go, Hubby. Gianna''s upset and spoke thoughtlessly. It happens."


    Gianna had already lost badly. Anneliese''s words only stung more.


    Her face flushed. The worst part was that everyone watching was family.


    Still, they just watched as Anneliese humiliated her.


    Gianna bit her lip in fury and stared at Anneliese.


    "I didn''t mean that. Why twist my words?"


    She kept ying the innocent victim.


    Anneliese could y that role too.


    She walked over with a tissue, speaking gently. "We''ve exined it, Giannazkou were upset and


    misspoke. We understand please don''t cry, or it''ll seem like we''re bullying you."


    She lifted the tissue to wipe Gianna''s tears, looking like a caring sister.


    Does she even listen to what she''s saying?


    I only made one sarcastic remark, and yet they-Jonathan and Anneliese—take turns unloading dozens of cutting words on me, leaving mepletely humiliated.


    And now I''m supposed to believe they haven''t taken it to heart?


    Jonathan looked down, hiding a smile. He couldn''t watch Gianna''s expression get


    worse.


    Even Steven, nearby, smirked he wasn''t going to help Gianna.