Chapter 125
Antonio strode into the lobby of Gabriel’s company, his presence immediately co
commanding attention,
Didn’t the fool have a private elevator! He rolled his eyes as he walked up to the receptionist,
The receptionist, a petite woman with sharp features, glanced up from her desk and immediately stiffened at the sight of him.
Hmm, he wondered whether it was because Gabriel had mentioned not to let him in if he ever came around, or if it was just due to his infamous reputation
“Mr. Garcia,” she began, her voice tight with a mix of politeness and nervousness, “Mr Pierce is in a meeting and is not available right now. You’ll have to…
“As much as I understand. I don’t have a habit of waiting” Antonio interrupted, his tone sharp as a cruel smile made its way to his face.
“Sir, I must insist.” she was unable to complete her words as Antonio had already brushed past her, his strides long and filled with determination. The receptionist rose from her seat, her protests growing louder, but Antonio didn’t spare her a glance. When he reached Gabriel’s office door, he pushed it open without knocking stepping inside as if he owned the place.
Gabriel Pierce was seated behind his desk, and there was a folder open before him. His dark eyes snapped to see who had barged into his office, and his expression immediately hardened upon seeing that it was Antonio
The receptionist hurried in behind Antonio, her voice flustered. “I’m sorry, sir, I tried to stop him b…”
“Leave.” Gabriel said coldly, not taking his eyes off Antonio.
The receptionist hesitated for a moment, then scurried out, closing the door behind her, as her boss was in a bad mood.
Gabriel leaned back in his chair, his glare piercing. “You have some nerve barging in here, Antonio,”
Antonio didn’t flinch. Instead, he stepped closer, his eyes narrowing “I’m not here to exchange pleasantries, Gabriel”
Gabriel’s lips curled into a sneer as he started into the eyes of the bastard who had ruined everything “Oh, I’m well aware of behind what happened to Vanessa–the drugs, the waiter. That was your handiwork, wasn’t it?”
I know you’re
Antonio’s expression remained stoic, his lack of remorse clear. “She deserved it,” he said coolly “Or have you forgotten that she drugged me once? She tried to do it again, but fortunately. I was prepared this time.”
Gabriel’s eyes
widened in genuine surprise, and Antonio noticed it. Didn’t the old man put her up to this? So he wasn’t in the know, unlike when it was Jeremy’s turn. Interesting.
“What are you ta
talking about?” Gabriel probed.
Antonio imirked, the sight of Gabriel’s disbelief making him satished.
“Did Vanessa not tell your he asked, his voice filled with mockery. “Your darling daughter drugged me at the Gala. And when that failed, she tried to use the same trick to trap me. I’m sure she’s been quite busy spinning her lies to keep you in the dark”
Gabriel recovered quickly, his expression hardening unce in
once more. “I don’t believe you,” he said firmly.
Antono shrugged, his smirk unfaltering “Believe what you want, Gabriel. I don’t need your validationTM
Before Gabriel could respond, Antonio’s demeanor shifted, his eyes darkening as he was tired of seeing the old man’s face. Any longer and he
antics. I came here because I know the truth about Zabelle”
“What truth?” Gabriel frowned
Antonio Icaned forward, has your low and deliberate “Zubelle isn’t your daughter.”
Gabriel froze, has expression contorting into one of shock
more and more
For a moment, he seemed at a loss for words, but then be quickly comped himself, as he couldn’t afford to keep showing more emotions in front of the bastard.
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Chapter 125
“That’s absurd.” he said, his tone defensive. “You must be losing your mind, Antonio
Antonio’s gaze didn’t leave Gabriel’s as he smiled
“Am I I’ve done my homework, Gabriel. I’ve seen the records. I’ve connected the dots, You can try to deny it, but we both know the truth.”
Gabriel’s fists clenched on the desk, his composure slipping. It was a secret he had kept for years, making sure not to dip to anyone. The last person he needed to find out about it was Antonio, as he wouldn’t stop until he had gotten to the bottom of the matter.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, I know exactly what I’m talking about,” Antonio said, his voice sharp. “And you? Your days of hiding behind lies are numbered. You’ve built your empire on deceit, and it’s only a matter of time before it all comes crashing down.”
Gabriel’s
‘s face turned red with fury, and he stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. “Get out,” he barked.
Antonio straightened, clearly unbothered by the outburst. “Gladly,” he asserted, his tone smug. “I’ve said what I needed to say.
As Gabriel glared daggers at him. Antonio turned and walked out, his stride confident. He could feel the tension radiating from Gabriel even as he left the office, and it brought a smile to his face.
His goal had been achieved. Gabriel was shaken up, and now all he had to do was keep a close eye on him. The trail would lead him to the answers he sought and, maybe, even more.
As Antonio exited the building, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at the screen and saw a message from the lawyer he had assigned to Zabelle
“On the way to the meeting with your wife, sir. Everything is in order.”
Antonio immediately pushed Alejandro out of his and his thoughts turned to Zabelle.
fired from. And yet, as proud as he
This was a big step for her; a chance to begin a new career, much better than the other one he had gotten her fi was of her, the thought of not being there gnawed at him
Without hesitation, he dialed his secretary’s number
“Cancel all my meetings for the day,” he said as soon as his call was answered.
“All of them, sir?” The secretary’s shocked voice came through the phone.
“Did I stutter?!” Antonio snapped in irritation. “I have something more important to attend to
“Alright, sir,” the secretary said to him and he ended the call. Without wasting time, he got into his car, his heart set on being there for Zabelle Even if she didn’t want his presence there, he felt the need to be there for her,
Antonio arrived at the venue a little earlier th
than expected and took a seat in the waiting area. He sat back, his posture relaxed, but his mind was anything but that.
He wondered how Zabelle was feeling, whether she was nervous or excited, and what he could do to ease her nerves.
Five minutes later, he spotted her entering the building with the lawyer he had assigned to her.
Fuck, she looked good. He thought to himself. She was wearing a white business suit and her hair. Goodness, she had curled her golden hair eve mature, and it made her look beautiful as she gave off boss vibes.
“Mental note: Appreciate her hair when I
en I have the chance,” he said to himself.
He saw her eyes scanning the roon, and when they landed on him, they widened in surprise.
“Antonior” she smiled, immediately approaching him. “What are you doing here? I thought you had meetings all day.”
He stood and adjusted his suit jacket. “I canceled them,” he said simply. “This was more important.”
Zabelle stared at him, her emotions spiraling out of control. Gratitude, disbelief, and something else, something deeper shone in her eyes and the sight made Antonio weak in the kuces
“You canceled all your meetings?” she repeated, her voice barely alive a whisper.
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He nodded. “I wasn’t going to miss this for the world.” And he was happy he didn’t as the expression on her face made it worth it.
Zabelle’s chest tightened at his words, and her heart raced. Antonio’s actions, his words, his presence it was all becoming too much. She couldn’t ignore the way her feelings for him were spiraling out of control, and it terrified her
He had cancelled important meetings just for her sake and she didn’t ask him to do so. Fuck when did he become so considerate!!
As she looked at him, she couldn’t help but feel a warmth she hadn’t felt in months.
“Thank you,” she said softly, her voice laced with emotion.
Antonio smiled a rare, genuine smile that made her pulse quicken. “You’re going to do great,” he assured her.
With him by her side, there was no doubt about that
As they walked into the meeting room together, Zabelle couldn’t shake the feeling that her world was shifting in ways she wasn’t ready for.
And Antonio, whether she liked it or not, was at the center of it all.
It was all too good to be true as it felt like a dream, one she didn’t want to wake up from
