Chapter 21 Why Does It Have to Be Her?
The next morning, while Antonio was getting ready, Harper sneakily texted Brian from under the covers: [Brian, I need your help!]
Brian freaked out, thinking Harper was in some serious trouble, and shot back: [What's up? Is the bad dad giving you a hard time?]
Brian was super anxious, ready to jump in and save her.
But then Harper replied: [Dad's not bullying me. I need you to help me post Mom's info on a job site.]
Harper sent over the details to Brian. He stared at the message, especially the word "Dad." His young face got all serious.
'Why was Harper calling Antonio "Dad"? Had she been won over by him?'
'No way, Harper knew how much Sarah had suffered because of Antonio. She wouldn't betray her mom like that.'
After thinking it over, he agreed to help. He trusted that whatever Harper was doing, it was for Sarah's sake.
Meanwhile, Antonio came out of the bathroom and saw Harper sitting on the bed, looking all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. She must've slept well, 'cause she looked super energetic.
"Good morning!" Harper wanted to call him Dad but held back. Now wasn't the right time. Once Antonio and Sarah patched things up, she could do whatever she wanted.
Antonio's eyes flickered. Early in the morning, a little elf-like Harper greeted him with a big smile. He wasn't used to it, but he didn't mind.
After a moment, he said calmly, "Go wash up and come downstairs for breakfast."
When Harper bounced downstairs, James had already arrived.
He was there to find a nanny for Harper, as Antonio had told him to find someone Harper liked.
James asked, "Harper, what kind of nanny do you want?"
Harper grinned slyly and said, "I just want a nanny who can make curry noodles!"
James felt there was something fishy about her smile, but he was too speechless to question it.
He pulled out his phone and did a quick search online, finding a suitable candidate. But when he saw the name and photo, he was shocked.
'Luna! Isn't this the Luna Antonio had asked him to investigate before?' he thought.
How could it be her? But it was perfect since Antonio was still looking for her. It was like hitting the jackpot!
Thinking this, James called Luna.
On the other side, Sarah saw the unfamiliar number on her phone, hesitated for a moment, then answered, "Hello?"
James said, "Luna? I'm James, the assistant to the president of the Valencia Group."
Sarah was instantly shocked. How did Antonio's assistant get her number?
James continued, "I saw your job application. Congrats, you've been hired. Please head to..."
James read out an address, and of course, Sarah knew it was Antonio's villa.
Sarah was completely stunned. What job application? When did she apply for a job?
She immediately went online to check and found that there was indeed a job application in her name, applying for a nanny position, with the specialty listed as: curry noodles!
Now she got it. This had to be Harper's doing. Only her kids knew about this.
She then realized this was likely Harper's distress signal. Thinking this, she started to panic. "Could it be that Antonio has discovered Harper's identity?"
She had to go find Harper immediately!
Without another thought, Sarah rushed to the villa.
In the living room, Harper was munching on some fruit. Antonio, having just found out her nanny requirement was curry noodles, stormed down from his study, fuming. "Did you pick the nanny yourself?"
Harper, her mouth full, mumbled, "I just said what I wanted. James did the hiring!"
Antonio shot a glare at James. "Where is she?"
"She'll be here soon!" James, feeling the heat from Antonio's icy stare, looked down, not daring to meet his eyes. "Mr. Valencia, please stay calm when you see her."
Antonio frowned, about to ask what he meant, when he heard a commotion outside.
The sound of hurried footsteps got closer, and everyone turned to see a woman in a brown coat rushing in.
Antonio was momentarily stunned. How could it be her!
Sarah, who had just burst in, immediately spotted Harper on the sofa. Ignoring everything else, she tried to rush over to grab Harper, but before she could, Antonio grabbed her wrist.
Antonio's grip tightened around Sarah's delicate wrist, his intense gaze locked on her like he wanted to devour her. "What are you doing here?"
Last time at the hotel, Sarah had knocked him out and then vanished. He thought she had left the city for good.
But here she was, bold as ever!
Since she had shown up, he wasn't letting her go again!
Sarah's wrist hurt from his grip, and her face, already anxious, now showed anger. "Let go! Don't touch me with your filthy hands!"
They started bickering right away. James, watching this, was shaking in his boots.
Harper, sitting on the sofa, was freaking out. She wanted to help Sarah but was scared of blowing her cover.
If her identity got exposed now, all her plans would go up in smoke!
Her big eyes darted around, and in a flash of inspiration, she called out to Antonio, "Let her go. She's the nanny James found for me!"
That statement immediately took the edge off the tension in the room. Sarah looked at Harper in shock, and the fire in Antonio's eyes turned to confusion.
The nanny? Her?
Seeing she had successfully diverted their attention, Harper quickly seized the moment.
She hopped off the sofa, bounced over to Sarah, and grabbed her hand. "You're a stunner! Take care of me. I'm Harper, and I'm a good girl!"
She looked up at Sarah, beaming and even winking at her.
She was all smiles on the outside but super nervous inside.
Harper thought, 'Sarah, you gotta get what I'm trying to do here!'
Sarah looked down at the obedient Harper, her eyes full of confusion.
Harper kept winking, as if saying, "Just go along with me, please!"
Seeing the urgency in Harper's eyes, Sarah's gaze flickered.
She didn't get why Harper was doing this. Calling her here as a nanny and pretending not to know her—what was Harper up to?
But now, Sarah definitely couldn't admit Harper was her daughter. Who knew what Antonio would do?
A few seconds later, Sarah smiled gently at Harper, squatted down to look her in the eye, and said, "It's my honor to take care of someone as beautiful as you!"
Harper's smile grew even brighter, showing off two rows of small white teeth.
Antonio, watching this incredibly 'harmonious' scene, had a face that was hard to read, his eyes full of suspicion. Why did it have to be her of all people?
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