Chapter 91
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Antonio descended the stairs as he intended to check if Martha had prepared something to help with Zabelle’s hangover.
Reaching the kitchen, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He had grabbed it while Zabelle was puking and he brought it out once more to check what the notification was about.
Antonio glanced at the screen and froze. The notification was from one of the trending social media platforms he often ignored, until now as the caption was impossible to ignore.
“Antonio Garcia and Mystery Woman Spark Scandal! Is He Cheating on Zabelle a month after their wedding?”
His brows furrowed as he tapped the notification. A video loaded and it showed a blurry recording of him coming out of the men’s restroom and speaking to Vanessa.
However, due to the fact that he was towering over her, she wasn’t seen by the camera and anything that would have given her off was blurred even further.
After which images of he and Zabelle hastily leaving the gala hal together were included.
“Is Antonio Romero ditching his wife for another woman? Spotted leaving abruptly with this stunning companion–things are getting spicy!”
Antonio’s jaw tightened as the comments rolled in, speculation running rampant.
Who is she?”
“I knew he couldn’t stay loyal.”
“OMG, will Zabelle leave her cheating husband or will she stay for the money?”
Closing the app, Antonio exhaled sharply, his fingers tightening around the phone.
He knew the media’s appetite for drama, but this was pushing it
Dragging Zabelle into the spotlight with baseless rumors was unacceptable. Like always, he barely cared about his own reputation but the fact that people were using this as a medium to drag Zabelle made his blood boil.
“Martha,” Antonio called as she entered the kitchen, carrying a tray.
“Sir,” she greeted warmly, but her smile faltered at his expression “What’s wrong?”
He hesitated, not wanting to burden her with the details. “Nothing. Have you prepared something for Zabelle?
“Yes, a light meal and some soup to help with the headache. Should I take it up to her?”
“I’ll do it,” Antonio replied, his voice firm. As Martha handed him the tray, he glanced down at it and he sighed in satisfaction
He would handle the news later for now, Zabelle and her hangover came first
Antonio carried the tray carefully back to the room and as he entered, the muffled sound of the shower running told him Zabelle was still in the bathroom
He placed the tray on the small table by the bed and he glanced briefly at the bathroom door.
She was still busy and so, with a quiet sigh, he stepped back out of the room, pulling his phone from his pocket as he walked toward his study so she wouldn’t accidentally overhear their conversation.
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Chapter 91
As soon as he was in, he called his PR manager and the call connected immediately as she had been waiting for his call.
“Sir, a statement has already been prepared and we are waiting for your orders so we can publish it,” she said, skipping pleasantries.
“It’s already spreading like wildfire and the more we delay it the more it won’t be good especially with the rumour that spread about Mrs Garcia being dead.”
Antonio’s voice was clipped but calm. “Unlike the last time, we’re shutting this down immediately. Issue the statement. I didn’t cheat and push that if they don’t take it down, I will be suing them.
“Alright sir, and about you leaving the party, I..”
“Say I wasn’t feeling well, and so we left the event early. That par shouldn’t be too hard as people know I hate parties.”
“I’ll get to work on it,” Carmen assured him. “Anything else, sir?
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“Yes,” Antonio added, his voice low. “Make sure no media outlets publish her photo. I don’t care what you have to do–keep her out of this.”
Carmen paused before replying. “Understood.”
Ending the call, Antonio leaned against the wall, pinching the bridge of his nose.
He hated the invasive nature of it all, how his personal life had become a movie for the whole world to see. But more than that, he hated the idea of Zabelle being dragged into this circus
She was a simple person who hated the spotlight, especially one that painted her in a bad light. Even if he was cheating on her, she wasn’t at fault, yet people still found a way to blame her
When he returned to the bedroom, the sight that greeted him made his heart drop.
Zabelle was sitting on the edge of the bed, her wet hair draped over her shoulders and her phone was in her hand.
Her expression was a mixture of shock and confusion, and she appeared to be frozen as she didn’t acknowledge his coming Into the room.
“Zabelle,” Antonio said cautiously, his voice barely above a whisper.
She looked up, and her eyes met his. “Antonio,” she called as well “What’s going on?”
“You’ve seen the news,” his jaw tightened
Her silence was all the confirmation he needed.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked, her voice soft but firm.
Antonio stepped closer, running a hand through his hair. “Because I didn’t want you to worry. in handling it.”
“You think I’m not already worried?” she countered, holding up her phone. “They’re talking about you like you’re some kind of–some kind of cheating playboy!”
Was he mistaken, or was that anger he saw in her eyes on his behalf? The thought made a smile threaten to break, but he held it in.
Tye already spoken to my PR team. They’re handling it, and they’ll ensure they do everything in that power to make sure you’re not too dragged into this.”
Zabelle stared at him, her expression softening but still tinged with frustration. “Antonio, I should be the least of your
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Chapter 91
worries. Protecting your reputation should. People will talk about me no matter what.”
“No, you’re the main person l’in concerned about and you’ll always be.” Antonio interrupted, his voice unwavering
“You deserve your privacy, Zabelle and I’m not letting them take that from you.”
For a moment, the room was silent except for the faint hum of the air conditioning Zabelle set her phone down, her shoulders relaxing slightly.
“Thank you for caring,” she said quietly.
Antonio nodded, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before he sat beside her. “This will pass, Zabelle. I promise.”
Zabelle’s gaze returned to her phone, as she stared at the screen. She didn’t say anything for a moment, after which she typed something and placed the phone aside.
“What if they figure out that you were with Vanessa? People aren’t stupid, Antonio. Someone will recognize her eventually. What if the person responsible for leaking the video decides to publish the unedited version”
Antonio turned toward her, his expression serious but calm. “That’s exactly why I’ve taken steps to stop it before it gets to that point. Trust me, Zabelle, I won’t let this mess touch you.”
“I wish there was something I could do to help you. After all, you’re in this mess because of my sister.”
He reached out, resting a hand lightly on hers and she didn’t push it off.
“You’re not helpless, and what did I say about blaming yourself for things you gave no control over?”
I’m worried, Antonio, how are you going to handle the rumors about yourself?”
Antonio’s lips curved into a faint, almost self–deprecating smile. Let them talk. It’s nothing I haven’t dealt with before. My main concern is you.”
“That doesn’t make it right,” Zabelle said, her voice firm. “You shouldn’t have to put up with this just because people are nosy.”
“I can handle it,” Antonio assured her. Truly he could. If it wasn’t for her and the fact that she was being dragged alongside him, he would have ignored it like he always did.
“My focus is on making sure you’re okay. Are you?”
“I’m so sorry I doubted you and thought you had cheated,” Zabelle immediately apologized. It was something she needed to do so she could get the heavy load off her chest.
“I was consumed by memories of how Jeremy had cheated on me with him, and I didn’t think clearly.”
Antonio smiled, and she wondered why he was smiling. “Fuck, ifeels for good to hear that you trust me again,” he remarked.
Finally, he was at peace as she had told him what he wanted to hear.
“I should have never stopped and I’m sorry,” Zabelle apologized
“I would never do what Jeremy did to you.”
know, but I think it won’t sink it if I don’t completely get over what they did to me that fateful night.”
“You don’t have to rush,” Antonio said. “Take all the time you ne ready.”
neel And if you want, I’ll be
e there with you when you’re
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Chapter 91
“Thank you, Antonio.”
“Eat so yo
can take care of the hangover. I’ll check in with Carmen again and make sure everything’s under control”
As he turned to leave, Zabelle’s voice stopped him. “Antonio?”
He glanced over his shoulder. “Yes?”
“Vanessa needs to pay,” she said, her tone gentle but firm.
A faint smile tugged at his lips as she was giving the go ahead to do what he wanted. “I couldn’t agree more.”
With that, he left the room, closing the door softly behind him.
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