Chapter 18 Another Son?
Antonio had just bounced from the Miller Villa when his phone buzzed. It was James. "Yo, what's the deal?"
James sounded kinda desperate. "Mr. Valencia, you gotta get to the office ASAP. Your daughter’s causing a ruckus here!"
Antonio's brow furrowed. Daughter?
He immediately thought of that girl, Harper. Didn't he tell the staff to keep tabs on her? How'd she slip out?
Thinking about Harper gave Antonio a headache. Without wasting a second, he bolted to the office. As soon as he walked in, there she was, Harper, standing in the lobby.
Harper was there, all tiny and cute, with her chubby cheeks and a big ol' smile, acting all grown-up and greeting the employees.
The staff, seeing such an adorable kid and knowing she was Antonio's, had ditched their work to gather around. Some were snapping pics, others were whispering.
"Man, she's adorable!"
"I heard if you look at pretty people while pregnant, your baby turns out cute. Gotta send these pics to my pregnant sis!"
"Hey, isn't this the kid who crashed Mr. Valencia's wedding? Could she really be his secret kid?"
"No doubt. Look at her face; she's a mini Mr. Valencia!"
"Mr. Valencia brought her here; it’s gotta be true."
"Mr. Antonio Valencia never brought Mr. Ryan Valencia to the office. Seems like he's a softie for his daughter! Watch out, she could be the future boss!!"
"Then Mr. Antonio Valencia’s true love must be her mom. I’m dying to know who she is."
The gossip was flying, and even though Antonio couldn't hear it all, he could read their faces.
His face turned stormy, and his lips pressed into a thin line.
Seeing Antonio show up, the employees clammed up real quick. Noticing his pissed-off look, they scattered like leaves in the wind.
Harper saw the employees leave and turned around, her bright eyes locking onto Antonio's intense gaze.
Oh, so Antonio finally showed up!
A bit later than she thought.
Harper wasn’t scared at all. She flashed Antonio a sweet smile, her big eyes turning into crescents, showing off her tiny white teeth.
Seeing this, Antonio's face got even darker. He marched over, scooped her up, and headed for the elevator without a backward glance.
This was the third time Antonio had carried Harper like this, and she was cool as a cucumber.
She turned her head, waved goodbye to the employees, and seeing someone still sneaking a pic, she blew an exaggerated kiss.
Once they hit the CEO's office on the top floor, Antonio slammed the door shut, making Harper jump.
Antonio put her down, towering over her, and asked in a deep voice, "How'd you get out?"
He was already intimidating, and now with his face all tense, he was downright scary. Most kids would’ve been bawling, but not Harper. She crossed her arms, raised her chin, and plopped down on the sofa, one foot tapping the floor, looking all smug. "I’m not telling. No one can keep me locked up!"
Antonio was speechless.
He squinted at the bold little Harper, who was only half his height, and felt his anger bubbling with nowhere to go.
As the big boss of the Valencia group, he couldn’t argue with a kid. He’d deal with her guardian later!
Ignoring Harper, Antonio walked to his desk, opened the files, and got back to work.
Harper shot Antonio a smug look, feeling bored when he just ignored her.
Seriously? He dragged her here all dramatic, and then... nothing?
She wasn't done having fun yet!
She hopped onto the fancy sofa by the wall, her short legs swinging, and started humming a tune, her big eyes darting over to Antonio every now and then.
She was totally trying to get under his skin by cranking up the volume, hoping to see him get annoyed.
But instead of getting mad, Antonio's hand froze, not out of irritation, but because...
His face got all serious as he listened closely to the tune, trying to jog his memory.
Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and a scene flashed in his mind.
Back when he had just married Sarah, she used to hum this exact tune.
Sarah loved being in the kitchen, wearing a cute apron, whipping up delicious meals for him, and this was her jam!
Antonio abruptly put down his pen, looked straight at Harper on the sofa, and asked, his voice tinged with excitement, "How do you know this tune?"
Harper was caught off guard.
She suddenly remembered that Sarah had taught her this tune.
Her eyes blinked, and she glanced guiltily at the floor-to-ceiling window, "Why can't I know it?"
Hearing this, Antonio's face darkened.
Maybe it was just a common tune that lots of people knew, and he was overthinking it.
Antonio couldn't help but murmur, "I thought she was the only one in the world who knew it."
Hearing this, Harper frowned again and looked at Antonio, her young face full of hesitation.
She had snuck back to the country to get revenge for Sarah, but now she felt that Antonio didn't seem so heartless. He seemed to care a lot about Sarah!
At that moment, a knock on the door broke the silence in the office. It was James, holding a file.
Antonio didn't want anyone to notice his unusual behavior and quickly masked his sadness.
James placed the file on the desk and then glanced at Harper on the sofa.
The more he looked, the more she resembled Antonio!
She looked even more like Antonio than Ryan did, especially her eyes and nose, which were almost identical to Antonio's. If she wasn't Antonio's daughter, then there must be some secret lab making mini Antonios!
James suddenly wanted a mini version of himself. Where could he get one?
He was lost in thought when Antonio spoke up, "Dig into Michael's background thoroughly. Find out what his deal is with Sarah."
Antonio felt that things weren't as simple as the gigolo had said. There had to be more to the story.
Hearing Antonio's order, Harper swallowed nervously, her small hands clutching the pillow tightly.
James nodded, then with a serious expression, began to report, "Mr. Valencia, our deal with BrianTech Solutions Inc is going nowhere."
BrianTech Solutions Inc.?
Hearing the familiar name, Harper's eyes lit up. Wasn't that Brian's company?
Brian was actually a four-year-old who still drank milk, but he was a little genius. Not only was he a gaming whiz, but he was also the CEO of BrianTech Solutions Inc, with a ton of businesses under the group, involved in almost every field.
Despite his young age, Brian held a high position and several patents, but no one knew his true identity.
Little did Antonio know, the mysterious boss he wanted to collaborate with was none other than his biological son, Brian!
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