Chapter 276 Mr. Vittorio's Frustration
Back then, the files on Antonio and Anna had been on his desk.
Their history was summed up in a straightforward manner, simple, heartwarming, and beautiful. Even the photos Little Tony showed him captured Anna's innocence, joy, and radiance, her bond with Antonio seemingly unbreakable.
Now, for Antonio, she was going back...
Willing to abandon her dreams and a fortune worth twenty million.
How quaintly romantic.
Little Tony felt the air chill around him, scarcely daring to gaze at Mr. Vittorio's icy demeanor, he ventured timidly.
"Mr. Vittorio, perhaps no intervention is needed?
I know it might be out of line for me to say this, but I feel I should speak up.
Whether you and Katherine have a marriage certificate or not, the world already sees you as husband and wife, and given the current state of affairs with the Vittorio family, it's not yet time for any public statements.
Miss Stefanelli's position won't be welcomed by everyone, it would only lead to an uproar and negative press.
Besides, Miss Stefanelli's heart isn't set on you anymore, so it seems pointless to dwell on her. Just let her go."
His trembling voice was a risky suggestion, putting his life on the line.
As the chief secretary, it was both his duty and obligation to offer sound advice to Mr. Vittorio.
His palms were sweating with nerves, he was sure this was the end for him.
However...
The aloof and distinguished man turned around, the setting sun outlining his handsome profile, and with a lift of his lip, he said,
"Who said anything about intervening?"
It was just a light remark, as carefree as the gentle breeze, his indifference absolute.
It was surprisingly anticlimactic!
After all, Little Tony thought Mr. Vittorio had some grand reason for his lengthy speech. This was it?
Eyes wide with disbelief, Little Tony gazed at the dignified man.
"Mr. Vittorio, you..."
"Just leave it be. From now on, you don't need to update me about her matters."
"Uh... sure."
Little Tony weakly shuffled out of the study, scratching his head in confusion.
What exactly was up with Mr. Vittorio? He did want Mr. Vittorio to handle things with Anna this way, but now that he had, why did it feel so... off?
"Little Tony, what did my dad say? You were reporting on Anna, right?" Charlie's voice rang out.
Charlie stood in the hallway, looking up at Little Tony, his boyish face sculpted and undeniably adorable, his eyes brimming with hope.
Little Tony was at a loss for words.
How could he break the harsh truth to Charlie? He didn’t dare lie either.
Crouching down, he spoke softly, "Well, Anna has gone home for a very important reason, and we can't disturb her for the time being."
"What important reason?" the young boy pressed, unrelenting in his curiosity.
Little Tony felt a headache coming on. He couldn't possibly tell Charlie that Anna had gone chasing after another guy, could he?
Whatever mess was made, someone had to clean it up!
"Uh... You're close to Anna, right? Maybe you could give her a call?"
"Alright."
Charlie trotted back to his room and dialed Anna's number.
"Anna, I heard you're going home. Can you tell me why?"
Anna was taken aback to receive a call from her son, her voice filled with surprise.
"Charlie, how did you find out?"
"That's not important. What matters is, what's so important that you'd leave me? You know how hard it was for me to get into the same school as Penny.
Mom says you're chasing an old flame, and Little Tony says it's something important, but I don't believe either."
The young voice carried a hint of complaint, discontent, and defiance.
Anna's heart ached.
Every time she heard her little boy express his reluctance, it cut her deeper.
She couldn't bear the thought of him being known as the child of the other woman, living with that stigma.
Leaving now was only to protect him better.
She steadied her emotions and replied, "Charlie, you really like Penny, don't you?"
"Yeah, I like her."
"Anna has someone she's liked since she was very young too. Due to an accident, we were forced apart, and now that he's finally reappeared, Anna has to go see him."
It was the only reasonable excuse Anna could find.
The one she hoped would convince Charlie.
Charlie’s lips puckered in curiosity, "Really?"
"Yeah, just like you like Penny and she likes you, we're super tight. If you don’t believe me, I can show you some of our old photos. You know, Charlie, Anna gets where you're coming from, but some things just can't be replaced. Anna is pretty sure you feel the same way. No matter how much you grow up, nobody can ever take Penny's place in your heart, right?"
Charlie furrowed his little brows as if to say, well... that does make sense.
Eventually, the youngster gave in.
"Then go for it, Anna!"
Anna breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as Charlie wasn’t let down, she was willing to tell a white lie.
"So, you can catch my live streams, Charlie. I'll greet you there every day."
"Okay."
After hanging up the phone, Charlie sighed in frustration, "Bummer. Looks like it’s a no-go, Pops."
He spun around, only to find his dad standing in the doorway!
"Dad! Did you hear all that?"
Dread washed over him. How heartbroken must his father be?
Giorgio’s cool gaze swept over him before he turned and walked downstairs, seemingly untouched by the conversation. His dignified stride and icy detachment suggested he couldn’t care less.
Charlie’s face fell.
'Great, now Dad becomes so frustrated that he goes silent. Poor guy' Charlie thought.
Katherine was in the hallway too, ascending the stairs just as she spotted Giorgio. She was about to announce that dinner was ready but he walked past her without so much as a glance and left.
At least, she was pleased with Anna’s performance that day.
That woman had some sense of self-awareness.
Her lips curled into a smile at Charlie, “Time for dinner, Charlie. Your favorite dishes are ready.”
Charlie finally looked at her properly, giving her his full attention, then said rather bluntly.
"You are useless, can’t even make Dad happy."
If she could make Dad happy, he wouldn’t be so lonely and closed off.
Dropping the bombshell, Charlie stormed off to his room.
Katherine stood baffled, reeling from this bizarre and baseless accusation.
First, he spurned her attempts to please his father. Now, she was to be faulted for his displeasure when she hadn’t tried?
What had she done wrong?
Insomnia Club.
"Giorgio, what brings you out with us tonight?" Tom queried, though his eyes were locked on the women on the dancefloor of the private booth.
Each woman was stunning and curvaceous, but upon closer inspection, dull.
Where on earth was his dream girl? Had she even been born yet?
Giorgio sipped elegantly at his red wine and offered a small smile.
"There's business to discuss tonight."
Business?
At a bar with his buddies, what ‘business’ could there possibly be?
Tom looked away, cracking a joke with a hint of mischief, "Something serious? Don't tell me your grandma's pushing for another baby and wants me and Enrico to lend a hand?"
Enrico replied with disinterest, his tone serious yet tinged with sarcasm, "Not interested in that, man." Friends never lack these risque jokes.
Giorgio frowned, giving them a look.
Two seconds passed.
Then he spoke up with a grave tone.
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