Chapter 443 Smitten

After the phone call, Jiang Yue felt that Mr. Petrov's gaze towards her was a little peculiar. It was as if he was trying to read her, to analyze her every move and words.

Not only Jiang Yue, but also Fu Jin. Both of them observed that there was an obvious change in the manner that Mr. Petrov talked to them.

Meanwhile, Mia and Nico Ruiz were staring blankly at each other. The atmosphere inside the car was suffocating. Even Peter had a very dark look in his face.

Jiang Yue did it.

It was completely unexpected. But she did it. She ruined Nico's facilities in the country and even some abroad. Then she set their own facilities on fire. What was she thinking? Unless… those facilities were already vacated long ago.

"Grandfather, we still have two facilities abroad. I think we should calm down first." Mia was the first to speak up, breaking the silence. "However, this does not mean that we won't retaliate. We need to get back at that woman." She gritted her teeth.

News of their losses would surely be the hottest topic in Emerald Country tomorrow. By then, all of her friends would know that her grandfather had encountered some problems in the business. What would they think of her after this?

Then, Jiang Yue's words came into her mind: "What will happen to the Phoenix once her family leaves her?"

Was this the meaning behind Jiang Yue's words. That she would make Nico useless? "Grandfather, that woman threatened me. I think her goal is to remove your influence and…" she made a deliberate pause before looking at her husband. "For Peter to leave me…" her gaze turned fierce once again. "How dare she covet my husband?"

In Mia's mind, she believed that the only reason why Jiang Yue would target her and make her lose her influence was because she liked her husband and she wanted Peter to leave her.

While listening to her, Peter did not know whether to laugh or cry at this woman's stupidity. No one else would have rationalized the situation this way besides Mia. Covet him? Jiang Yue did not even spare a second to glance at him. How could she have liked him?

Peter could only roll his eyes inwardly. How stupid. If his uncle had allowed, he would have already gotten this woman killed the moment he found out about Jiang Yue's existence. If only there was a way to kill her without his uncle or the Elders knowing…

"Covet your husband? How could you think of that in times like this?" Nico yelled. How could this granddaughter of his be so dumb? He had pampered her the most as he thought that she could somehow become the Vercello's Matriarch. Yet, at times like this, she was only thinking about her lover! "Jiang Yue wants to become the Matriarch! Get that into your thick skull!" he added, his voice malicious and cruel.

Nico believed that this was the only explanation for Jiang Yue's actions. She created a trap and lured them into believing that they were winning. Then she retaliated, in the pretense of revenge. In the meantime, she was able to use this opportunity to establish her name in this country and even suppress Mia at the same time.

That woman was indeed very smart.

The atmosphere became even more gloomy as everyone thought about what the other had said. At this moment, they were interrupted by a phone call. Peter Pardi immediately picked up the call thinking that someone was calling him to inform him about the aftermath of what happened to Nico Ruiz' facilities.

Peter's gaze darkened when he heard the report from the person on the other end of the line.

"Disappeared?" he confirmed.

"Yes, Master, I have already informed the Patriarch. He asked me to inform you so that you could investigate further."

"How much? Our losses… how much is it?" he asked.

"Almost a billion doll…"

Before the person could finish answering, Peter Pardi abruptly cut the call. He loosened his tie and anger was clearly shown on his face. Peter Pardi was so angry that he wished he could kill someone to vent his anger.

"What happened?" Mia asked, trying to hide the little quiver in her voice. She was afraid of her husband's murderous gaze. She felt her husband's anger just now and couldn't help but shiver under his domineering presence.

"What's wrong?" This time it was Nico who asked. What could have happened? "Did you manage to find evidence to prove that Jiang Yue did this to us? Could we use it to rally the forces that your uncle have? Our combined strength would outnumber their troops. We could…"

"Shut up!" Peter growled.

"Peter, what's…"

"I said SHUT UP!" Mia once again shivered under her husband's harsh tone. Tears welled in her eyes.

"How dare you raise your voice at me?" she said, her voice full of grievance. "I was just concerned about you! How could you ask me to shut up?"

Peter froze when he realized that he had raised his voice at Mia in front of Nico. However, upon realizing Nico's current status, his gaze turned even colder at his wife.

"What? Why are you treating me this way? I knew it! You like her! You like that Jiang Yue, don't you?" Mia's tears started to stream down her face. She remembered how Jiang Yue had spoken to Peter before she arrived. Jiang Yue must have seduced Peter during that time.

The insecurity that Mia had been suppressing for so long finally came out. Shocking not only Peter but also her grandfather. Mia grew up pampered and loved by everyone around her. When she turned three, it was rumored that the Vercello Family took a liking to the beautiful princess of the Ruiz Family.

After her fifth birthday, it was declared that she would become Peter's fiancée. On her eighth birthday, she was declared as one of the females that the Vercello Family would consider for the Matriarch position. Though this was partly because of her engagement to Peter. Mia grew up thinking that she was outstanding and talented. So she became willful and not even her husband could control her.

Of course, that was until Jiang Yue came in the picture. Jiang Yue may not be as beautiful as Mia, nor have a family that was as influential as Mia's family, but she was talented and skillful. Moreover, she had the Vercello blood coursing through her veins.

She was the true phoenix. A royal blood in the Vercello Family.

After learning of Jiang Yue's existence, Mia insisted on marrying Peter at the age of eighteen. She was afraid that Antonio Pardi would dissolve their engagement and have Peter marry Jiang Yue instead. That was her greatest fear.

Peter's last name was her absolute key in obtaining the Vercello Family. Without an influential family and an outstanding husband, Jiang Yue would be nothing. Who would have thought that her husband would get smitten by Jiang Yue on their first meeting?

She was sure that their conversation had not lasted for five minutes. Yet, her husband raised his voice at her which never happened before. Coincidentally, this happened after he met Jiang Yue.

In Mia's mind, Peter was behaving this way because of Jiang Yue. Rage immediately filled her, she took a deep breath to suppress her anger. This was all Jiang Yue's fault. She felt the need to eliminate that woman as soon as possible.