Antonio: Vengeance in Disguise

Chapter 7

The moment Clara saw Cynthia, she sprang to her feet and bowed respectfully. 

Cynthia rarely made unannounced appearances, especially not to lower-level staff like herself and the security team.

If she had something to communicate, she usually did so through her assistant. 

However, Clara couldn’t have asked for a better timing. 

The CEO’s arrival was perfect! She would handle Antonio in the most fitting way!

Wasting no time, Clara gestured toward Antonio as if exposing a criminal. 

“Miss Cynthia! This man refuses to leave the premises and has been making threatening statements. I was just about to have him thrown out.”

Jack and the other security guards straightened up, nodding in agreement. 

They were confident Cynthia would issue an even stricter order against Antonio without hesitation.

Cynthia’s piercing eyes flickered over Clara before settling on Antonio.

Then, to everyone’s shock, her expression softened with warmth as she smiled,

“Mr. Antonio, I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.”

A stunned silence filled the room.

Clara looked stunned. 

Was the CEO missing something? 

This idiot had been causing a scene just moments ago, and now she was apologizing to him? 

Clearly, she didn’t know who he really was. Clara felt compelled to set the record straight.

"Miss Cynthia, you must be mistaking this man for someone else!” 

“You don’t know him! He’s a complete nuisance who’s been causing a scene since before you came down.” 

“He’s just some clueless lowlife who probably snuck in off the streets. That’s why I told the guards to throw him out—before a real client walks in and sees him!” 

"Oh, really?" Cynthia said coolly.

Clara straightened, nodding quickly. 

The security guards behind her did the same, clearly backing her up.

Cynthia’s expression remained unreadable as her eyes fixed on Clara. 

“So… you’re the one who stopped him from going upstairs?”

Clara lifted her chin, smiling proudly. 

“Yes, ma’am. That was me. I couldn’t just let him tarnish the company’s image.”

She beamed, clearly expecting praise. Maybe even a promotion for doing this.

“I see,” Cynthia said quietly.

Then her eyes turned icy cold.

The next second, a sharp slap landed hard across Clara’s face.

“How dare you talk to him like that?!” Cynthia’s voice is sharp like a blade. 

“Antonio is so nice. He can tolerate your nonsense, but I can’t!”

“Apologize to him!”

The color drained from Clara’s face as she clutched her cheek in disbelief, the spot already starting to swell.

“Wait—what?!”

Cynthia’s sharp gaze snapped to her. 

“Am I not clear? Apologize to him! Now!”

Clara’s smugness crumbled into desperation. She couldn't believe her ears.

“Miss Cynthia, you don’t understand! This man…He’s a nobody! He’s just some fraud! Did you mean to say—”

SMACK!

Another slap on Clara’s face.

Clara didn’t dare say another word now. 

She saw Cynthia’s glare, felt like it could sew her mouth shut.

She dropped to the floor, trembling as she faced Antonio.

“I... I’m sorry...”

Cynthia shifted her gaze to the security guards and pointed directly at Clara.

“She’s fired. Throw her out!”

Clara turned to Antonio with her eyes wide with disbelief. 

She couldn't believe Antonio was someone important. 

She collapsed at Cynthia’s feet and her fingers clutched desperately at the hem of her sleek designer heels in panic.

“No Ma'am! This must be a mistake! You can’t fire me over him! I’m Harry Gibson’s cousin!” Clara's voice shrieked in desperation but Cynthia barely spared her a glance.

Clara believed that Harry’s upcoming partnership with Bellagio Group would boost her standing and help her gain favor. 

If Cynthia knew Clara was connected to Harry Gibson, her attitude might just shift. 

After all, the deal with Bellagio Group was nearly finalized. It was just a matter of time.

“Who cares?” Cynthia replied coldly.

Those shocked security guards, now fully aware that Cynthia meant every word, stepped forward without a hint of hesitation.

Their firm hands latched onto Clara’s arms, hoisting her up as she kicked and squirmed.

“Please, ma’am,” she sobbed. “Forgive me...I don’t know! I didn’t mean it! I’m sorry! Antonio! Please!”

But her pleas shattered against Cynthia’s cold indifference. 

The guards didn’t stop, and her protests faded as she was forcibly removed from the building.

After she had been successfully kicked out, Cynthia turned to Antonio with a professional smile.

“Shall we?”

Antonio gave a slight nod, and together they walked past the stunned security guards, heading toward the elevator.

The moment the elevator doors closed behind them, Cynthia’s composed demeanor melted into enthusiasm.

“Antonio!”

She didn’t bother with a handshake—she threw her arms around him instead. “It’s really you! Took you long enough. I've missed you so much.”

Antonio chuckled as he returned the hug. “I missed you too, troublemaker.”

She pulled back slightly, grinning up at him. “If I’d known you were coming today, I would’ve marched down and dragged you up myself. Come on— we have so much to catch up on.”

As they walked toward the elevator, Cynthia clung to Antonio’s arm like a child who had finally reunited with an older brother after years of separation.

Cynthia had been adopted into Antonio’s family when she was young and she had always looked up to him. 

To her, Antonio was more than just a brother—he was her role model, her protector, and the only man who had ever truly mattered to her. 

But to Antonio, she was just his little sister.

Antonio glanced at her with his expression softening. “I know. I should’ve come back sooner.”

Cynthia pouted. “You should have! Do you know how boring it is here without you? No one to tease me, no one to look after me…”

Antonio chuckled, patting her head. “You’ve been doing just fine without me.”

She shook her head. “No, I haven’t.” Then, suddenly, she brightened. “But that doesn’t matter now! I have a surprise for you.”

Antonio raised an eyebrow.

“A surprise?”