Part 42

Claire chose to swim to relieve her frustration. If it weren't for Abigail, her mood wouldn't be this bad. She swam two laps before stopping at one side of the pool, leaning her back against the edge and tilting her head back to soak in the sunlight, even though she knew it wasn't good for her skin.

"Still angry?" A voice startled Claire, making her open her eyes.

She found herself staring into brown eyes that were gazing down at her, clearly wet as well. It was obvious the man had just finished swimming too. Claire chose to ignore his presence and closed her eyes again. The water rippling nearby indicated that he had also entered the pool.

"I'm here on their behalf to apologize," Antony continued when Claire didn't respond.

"Apologize for what?" she asked sarcastically, not even bothering to open her eyes.

"For everything," he replied flatly. "I thought you were mad because of Abigail and Flavia."

Claire opened her eyes in surprise to find Antony standing so close to her.

"I won't deny that," she answered tersely.

Antony deliberately moved closer, standing next to her and trying to act casual, even though that wasn't what he truly wanted. "I asked Abigail to do that," he confessed, drawing Claire's attention back to him. "I asked her to call you that." He continued, his tone steady.

Claire chuckled and shook her head. "No need to lie, Sir," she teased. "I know how my niece can be with her absurd antics. So you don't have to defend her," Claire added.

She walked away from Antony toward the vertical iron ladder leading out of the pool. Just as she was about to step onto the first rung, Antony blocked her path.

"I don't like it when other men approach you, Claire," he said, his voice low and coming from behind her.

Claire's eyes widened in surprise, realizing just how close he was. His breath tickled her skin.

"I don't want anyone getting near you," he continued, still speaking softly into her neck.

Claire took a deep breath, not sure whether to neutralize her anger or the other feelings that were stirring within her. Slowly, she turned to face him. Antony didn't back away; he maintained his ground, staring at her with an intense gaze.

"What right do you have to say that you don't like it?" Claire asked coldly.

"Because I'm the only one allowed to get close to you," he replied. This time, Claire let out a scoff.

"And who do you think you are?" she asked, her tone dripping with annoyance.

"I'm your number one fan," he said, a grin spreading across his face. "Number one." He added with a playful smirk.

Claire couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Then if you are my fan, do I not have the right to mingle with others? You don't even have the right to do anything to me, let alone restrict me," Claire replied, her tone fiery.

She didn't care if anyone else overheard her outburst. After all, Claire glanced around the pool area, only to frown—there was no one else there but the two of them. She turned her questioning gaze back to Antony, who shrugged.

Claire chuckled. "Is this it?" She gestured around the pool area. "Did you clear this place out for me?" she asked, her tone doubtful. Antony nodded. "Are you trying to show off your wealth to me now?" she asked, clearly displeased. Antony fell silent. "I don't like arrogant, conceited playboys like you. So just stop; you don't need to overdo it," Claire said, attempting to swim to the surface once again, but Antony blocked her path yet again.

"What do you mean by playboy?" If Antony had been close to Claire before, now he had her cornered, trapping her between his body and the metal stairs behind her.

"Don't act stupid, Sir." Claire looked at Antony with fire in her eyes. "You try to approach me while at the same time you're with that model. If that's not a playboy, then what would you call it?"

"I have nothing to do with Anastasia," Antony insisted.

"Is that so?" Claire asked, raising an eyebrow. "Then what do you call a man and a woman who appear in public together, hugging, and acting all cozy?" Claire reminded Antony of every moment she had witnessed—whether it was in the elevator, at the office, or when they happened to be seen together at the mall some time ago.

"That..." Antony struggled to find the words.

"And you even ignored your promise to your own daughter for her. What would you call that?"

Antony frowned. "That was nothing. You just misunderstood. Between Anastasia and me, it's purely a business matter," he replied softly.

"Ah, business," Claire scoffed. "How sweet your relationship with your business partner is. Does that mean you treat all your business partners as warmly as you treat Anastasia?"

Antony fell silent for a few seconds until a mischievous smile appeared on his face. "Are you jealous?"

Claire's eyes widened, then she huffed in disbelief. "Jealous?" she echoed. "I'm not even thinking in that direction," she replied, a bittersweet smile creeping onto her face. "I just don't like men who prioritize others over their own family. And who do you think you are? The king who will be fought over by every woman? Do you see yourself as a trophy to be won? Or do you think I'm like the women you've been with before? Do you think I'm the same as your 'female business partners'?"

"I'm sorry, but I don't want to be one of your discarded women," Claire said again, her tone dripping with disdain.

"Discarded?" Now it was Antony who looked confused. "What do you mean by that?" he asked, bewildered.

"Don't pretend to be dumb, Sir." Claire scolded him. "Right now, you're interested in me and feel that I'm a challenge for you just because I'm not as pliable as the women you've dealt with in the past."

"Do you think I'm playing hard to get right now? Yes, you're right. I am playing hard to get. Because I am not a cheap woman like the women you've pursued before—those you willingly discard once you're bored with them.

"I'm sorry if I'm bruising your ego, Sir. But I'm not interested in you. And I never intended to be one of the many 'discarded' women in your collection." Claire pushed Antony away, and this time she really exited the pool.

Antony watched her leave, still confused. His thoughts were distracted, as he couldn't focus on anything but the sight before him. Damn! Just seeing Claire in ordinary clothes was enough to tempt him. But now, seeing her in a swimsuit that hugged her stunning figure even more tightly was driving him wild.

God, Antony's body ached—not just now, but since earlier.

Claire entered her room with a wet bathrobe wrapped around her. Bella's head spun as she looked at her friend, who hadn't seemed to improve since earlier.

"What happened now?" she asked curiously. Claire shot her a sarcastic look.

"That playboy. Who does he think he is? How dare he assume I'm some cheap woman ready to replace the one he just discarded? Just because he's rich, he thinks he can do as he pleases? He thinks that by renting out the entire pool and blocking access for all other guests, I'd suddenly be interested and fall right into his arms? Sorry, but there are plenty of more attractive single men out there than him." Claire exclaimed angrily as she headed into the bathroom, leaving Bella gaping in confusion.

Bella could only shake her head and return her focus to her phone, where she was watching gossip news. Meanwhile, Antony returned to his room, drenched. Altezza and Gian looked at their cousin, and unlike Bella, who would typically inquire about what was wrong, they chose to ignore Antony when they saw the intimidating expression on his face.

"It seems our cousin's efforts didn't pay off," Gian whispered to Altezza, his voice louder than intended, clearly audible to Antony.

"Of course, it wouldn't work. I told you that Claire isn't easy to conquer. He should have listened to what I said," Altezza replied confidently.

Antony shot them both a glare before deciding to step into the bathroom. He needed a moment to collect his thoughts and cool off. The encounter with Claire had stirred emotions he hadn't anticipated, leaving him feeling frustrated and oddly intrigued by her defiance.