Chapter 167
Anastasia always played it straight when it came to matters of the heart, no dilly dallying. When she brushed off one suitor, another one popped up.
Anastasia just rolled out her wedding ring. âSorry, Iâm off the market.â She handled these situations just like Herman did.
Anastasiaâs ring was a match with Hermanâs, and when she flaunted it, some faces went pale. They looked at each other, because when Herman flashed his ring earlier, they were standing a bit far and couldnât get a good look, only noticing Anastasias ring seemed to match Hermanâs, but they werenât sure.
Lauren grinned. âAnastasia, youâre such a straight shooter. But you guys, donât get any ideas about Anastasia, sheâs hitched. If your girlfriends need jewelry, hit up Anastasia, sheâs a jewelry designer.
Just like that, Lauren was drumming up business for Anastasia.
âReal shame,â a young man said. âIf I ever need any, Iâll definitely come to you for jewelry.â
The young men had no choice but to split, and once they were a little distance away, they started whispering among themselves.
âDid you guys get a good look at Mr. Salstromâs ring? Doesnât it look a lot like Ms. Jewellâs?â
âI didnât get a good look, but it did seem similar.â
âRings these days all look the same, isnât Ms. Jewell friends with Lauren? Maybe weâre overthinking.â
âMaybe we are. Mr. Salstrom just said his wife doesnât like social events and thatâs why he wouldnât come to a party without her.â
They stopped overthinking it and started scouting for other targets.
Laurenâs friends started teasing Anastasia. âMs. Jewell, youâre acting just like Mr. Salstrom from Elysian Technologies.â
âThere are so many married folks pretending to be single, hiding their wedding rings. People like Ms. Jewell and Mr. Salstrom are a rare breed.â
Anastasia smiled. âI believe, when two people are together, they should love openly. Thereâs nothing to hideâ
A rich girl chimed in, âI totally agree with Ms. Jewell. Love openly, and if it ends, break up openly. We women are not incapable of moving on.â
âExactly, there are plenty of fish in the sea. If the current boyfriend doesnât cut it, just find another.â
âI really look down on those who juggle several girlfriends at onceâ
Lauren joked, âOf course, you change boyfriends every month, and never date the same man twice.â
âKeep teasing me and Iâll shut you up.â
Everyone was having a ball, and the atmosphere was very relaxed.
Anastasia felt no stress. She was very relaxed and carefree. Just then, her phone rang. It was her mother, saying there was trouble with Gianna, and Joey was threatening to jump into the river with Gianna. Over the phone, the wind and sirens could be heard, along with Cynthiaâs crying.
âMom, send me the address, Iâm on my way.â
Anastasia hung up and told Lauren. âI have a family emergency, I need to go.â
Lauren heard the conversation. âYou better get going then, be safe.â
Anastasia rushed off, leaving the party. As soon as she left, Herman and Jarod came down from the second floor.
Anastasia hailed a taxi and headed straight to where Gianna was. On Serenity River Bridge, there were several police cars and many onlookers gathered on both sides. In the middle of the bridge, Joey was standing outside the railing, very agitated, and Gianna was standing inside, staring at him expressionlessly.
The police were trying to talk Joey down, while Salma was holding Cynthia back. They didnât dare get closer.
Joeyâs parents were crying nearby, begging Joey not to do anything foolish,
Initially, Joey wanted to jump into the river with Gianna, but he seemed to have changed his mind, and was now threatening Gianna with his own life.
âIf you insist on a divorce, Iâll jump. Iâm a failure, Iâm sorry to you and my parents. Iâm not a good husband, and I donât have the courage to face youâ