Antonio: Vengeance in Disguise

Chapter 3

"Yes, Charles, it has been a while." A faint, nostalgic smile played on Antonio’s lips as he looked at his old butler.

His fingers brushed against the edge of the black platinum card as he drifted into deep thought.

Three years ago, as the sole heir to the Morris family empire, Antonio had once been hailed as a genius. His grandfather had entrusted him with the family’s massive fortune early on, putting him through every trial to sharpen him into a true leader.

But none of it mattered the day his mother died. It was sudden and unexplained. The official reports claimed it was an accident, but Antonio had never believed it.

There were too many loose ends and too many details that didn’t add up. The kind of inconsistencies that only screamed one thing—someone had silenced her.

So he came to Gelrith City for the truth, where he met Elaine.

Elaine had been like a fire. A woman who had made him believe in a different life.

For her, Antonio walked away from Vena City and everything the Morris name stood for.

He used his brilliance to build her up. She and her family thrived under his unseen hand. He never asked or needed for credit.

His grandfather had never tried to stop him, just left him with a single promise:

"If you ever change your mind, the family will be waiting."

Antonio had once thought he would never need to return.

But now?

Now, he knew he had been living in an illusion.

Elaine had never loved him. She had only used him as a replacement when Harry had left.

And the cruelest joke was that she believed he’d married her for money.

As he stood in silence, Charles finally broke it.

“Young Master, shall I make arrangements for your return to Vena City? The family is ready for you to take your seat again.”

Antonio shook his head slowly.

"No, not yet."

His investigation into his mother’s death had revealed something chilling. His mother’s killer wasn’t some outsider. It was someone inside the family.

Yet, he still didn’t know who this person was. Returning too soon would only tip them off.

"I will stay in Gerilth City for a while." Antonio said.

He didn’t explain, though he suspected Charles already had an idea.

Because Charles just simply gave a slight nod, then discreetly signaled to a bodyguard, who stepped forward and presented a thick envelope.

Charles handed it over personally. It was a new contract.

"Young Master," Charles said, "since you've decided to remain in Gerilth, the Morris Group’s Gelrith City branch is now under your control."

Antonio took it, and Charles motioned toward the car.

“Shall I take you to the office?”

Antonio shook his head.

“No. I’ll walk.”

He needed air to clear his mind. The divorce, the betrayal. It all still hung heavy on his shoulders.

Charles hesitated for a beat, then nodded with a trace of concern.

“Understood, sir.”

He returned to the car, and within seconds, the vehicle slipped away from the curb in silence, vanishing like it had never been there at all.

Antonio hadn't taken more than a few steps when he suddenly heard the unmistakable roar of another engine.

A fancy sports car screeched to a halt just a few feet away.

The driver’s door swung open, and to Antonio's surprise, it was Harry Gibson who stepped out!

Upon seeing Antonio, Harry let out a loud, mocking laugh.

"Look who we have here! The shameless husband!”

“You’re still here clinging on? Don’t you find yourself disgusting?”

Antonio frowned slightly, his expression unreadable.

Elaine might be fooled by Harry, but Antonio had his own ways of finding out the truth of this guy.

Harry was a gambling addict—through and through.

That so-called business abroad a few years ago? Just a cover story.

The real reason he left the country was because he was on the run from debt collectors.

Antonio had no interest in wasting his breath on a pathetic fool like Harry Gibson.

He didn’t bother responding. Instead, he stepped around Harry, ready to leave.

Some people weren’t worth a second of attention, and Harry was the perfect example.

He was just a worthless, washed-up loser grasping at straws to feel important.

But Harry followed him like an annoying fruit fly.

The playboy smirked, hands stuffed in his pockets as he swaggered closer.

“When are you gonna stop leeching off her like a damn parasite?”

“If Elaine hadn’t taken pity on you, you’d still be curled up on a park bench!"

“I came back to save her from the mess! And trust me, I’m counting the days till she wakes up and boots your sorry ass out of her life for good. It won't take long.”