Chapter 22 Is This My Uniform?
Antonio had a gut feeling something fishy was going on. "James, get us a new nanny, pronto!"
James, who'd been hanging around, looked like he'd just swallowed a lemon. It wasn't his idea to hire Luna; Harper was just too dang picky!
When Harper heard Antonio's demand, her face dropped like a bad Wi-Fi signal. She pouted, put her hands on her hips, and snapped, "No way! I want her! If you don't agree, I'm out!"
Harper's attitude did a complete 180 from the sweet girl she was earlier; now she was a little spitfire.
Antonio's eyes turned icy. He'd dealt with Harper's tantrums before, and he really needed her help right now. Locking down that deal with BrianTech Solutions Inc. was non-negotiable for him.
He glanced at Sarah, a spark of something in his eyes.
This might actually work out. With her here, he wouldn't have to go on a wild goose chase.
This Luna chick was probably Sarah. Letting her stay would give him the chance to figure it out for sure.
Thinking this, Antonio's scowl softened a bit. He looked down at Harper. "Alright, since you like her so much, I'll let it slide this time, but don't push it."
Harper just shrugged off Antonio's warning and strutted off.
"Luna, come hang in my room!"
Sarah was still skeptical. Did he really agree that easily?
She had a feeling things weren't that simple and caught a glimpse of something sneaky in his eyes.
She had a million questions, but to keep Harper safe, she had to play along and act like it was her first time meeting Harper. She followed her upstairs.
Antonio's eyes followed them, growing darker with each step they took.
Upstairs, as soon as they got into the room, Sarah locked the door.
"Harper, did Antonio give you a hard time? Spill, and I'll go deal with him!"
Harper giggled. "Mommy, chill. I'm good!"
Worried Sarah might scold her for sneaking back to the country, she hugged Sarah's waist and snuggled close. "I'm eating well, sleeping great, but I missed you so much!"
Harper's words hinted she wanted Sarah to stay, but Sarah didn't catch on. Instead, she was puzzled. "Wait, why was I hired here?"
She hadn't even rescued Harper yet, but Harper had brought her here?
Harper quickly explained, "Ethan said you needed to get the surveillance, and it's only here."
So Ethan had clued Harper in about the surveillance.
Harper glanced at Sarah and added, "Now that you're here, you can roam around without any worries. Wouldn't it be easier to find the surveillance this way?"
Sarah thought it made sense. With the surveillance in Antonio's hands, she could protect Harper and look for it as a nanny, killing two birds with one stone.
"Alright, once we get the surveillance, we're outta here." Then she remembered something. "Harper, you mentioned helping Antonio earlier? What's that about?"
Harper wasn't about to tell Sarah she was helping Antonio secure a deal with Brian's company.
Sarah hated Antonio's guts right now. If she found out, she'd be more than mad; she'd be heartbroken.
Until Sarah saw the real Antonio and changed her mind about him, Harper had to pretend she still hated his guts.
Harper's brain went into overdrive, and she quickly came up with an excuse."Actually, he didn't kick me to the curb 'cause he needs a young face or somethin'. I don't really dig it, but he's just clingy as hell!"
Sarah frowned. A child spokesperson? That sounded fishy.
Seeing Sarah's skeptical look, Harper quickly changed the subject. "Mommy, let's not worry about that now. You should get ready!"
Harper dashed to the wardrobe, pulled out a box, and plopped it on the bed. "Put on the maid outfit I got for you!"
She was all excited, her big eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Sarah couldn't help but smile at Harper's enthusiasm. Harper had a great attitude, not scared even in a sketchy situation, but rather pumped.
Sarah said, "You really thought of everything, even got me a work uniform."
Harper was definitely her daughter—smart, meticulous, and brave!
Sarah's smile froze as she opened the box and pulled out the ridiculously short outfit. Her eyes widened in disbelief.
This... this was a cute maid outfit? Where did Harper even find this?
Harper laughed, crossing her arms, thinking, 'What a killer dress. My taste is on point!'
She wanted Sarah to look stunning and maybe even charm Antonio!
But Sarah's face darkened. No way was she wearing that, especially not here!
"No, I can't wear this. This outfit..."
Just then, a knock on the door interrupted her.
"It's me."
It was Antonio!
Sarah quickly signaled Harper to be quiet, stuffed the outfit back into the wardrobe, and went to answer the door.
Opening the door, she put on her best calm nanny face. "Mr. Valencia, do you need something?"
Antonio's eyes flashed with something, but it was gone in a second.
"Luna, I'm here to say sorry for the hotel mess-up. My bad."
He didn't mention being drugged, so Sarah had no clue about the real deal that day. She cursed Antonio silently but kept her cool. "It's okay. Now you're my boss, and I'll pretend the past never happened."
It was rare for the always arrogant Antonio to apologize.
Antonio stared at Sarah's face, trying to catch any subtle changes, then said in a deep voice, "I mistook you for my deceased wife before."
Sarah looked up at Antonio, thinking, 'How dare you still mention me!'
She kept it short and formal, "It's fine. I understand."
To get the surveillance, she had to put up with Antonio, but she wasn't interested in hearing more of his lies.
Antonio couldn't catch any unusual expressions on Sarah's face.
He knew she wouldn't easily admit her identity; otherwise, she wouldn't have resisted so much before.
As long as she stayed here, he'd eventually find a way to expose her.
Meanwhile, Harper, not really getting what they were talking about, glanced at the maid outfit and deliberately said loudly, "Luna, hurry up and put on your work uniform! I'm hungry."
Hearing "work uniform," Sarah almost lost it, thinking of the skimpy maid outfit. She felt both embarrassed and angry.
Antonio glanced at Harper and said calmly, "Then you should start working. Take good care of Harper."
With that, he headed to the study, not making things harder for Sarah.
Sarah sighed deeply. For both Brady and Harper, she had to endure this.
In the end, she still put on the "work uniform" and got to work.
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