Chapter 328

Richard was drained from evading Sebastian’s chase, having used up every ounce of his energy. After a full day on the run, he finally made it back to Valdusso in Paginara. He grabbed a coat from his subordinate and tossed it to Stephanie. “Put this on,” he said. When he’d pulled her out, she was still in her loungewear, which had gotten wrinkled during the escape.

Stephanie gave him a glare that could’ve melted steel. Richard rolled his eyes. “Who do you think you’re messing with? I’m not going to baby you like Sebastian does. Put it on, now.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Stephanie grabbed the coat and threw it over his head, covering him completely. In the dark, Richard yanked off his coat, frustration twisting his face. “Damn it,” he said, shaking it out. “With that attitude, you must’ve gotten into big trouble in Long Harbor.”

While most people knew how to handle trouble, Stephanie’s stubbornness could easily annoy others, making them blame her for everything just to give her a hard time.

“Why do you care?” Stephanie demanded, her voice tinged with frustration. “Just give me my phone back.” She’d been dying to call Sebastian all day, but she didn’t have her phone.

Richard looked at her, his face serious. “You’re asking me for your phone?”

“Who else would I ask?” Stephanie snapped, clearly upset.

“Did you bring your phone?” Richard asked.

Stephanie’s face froze. A memory flashed through her mind of smashing her phone earlier. She realized she’d really left it behind.

“Remember now?” Richard said, his tone carrying a hint of amusement.

“Then why didn’t you pick it up for me?” she shot back.

Richard was momentarily speechless by her logic. “If I’d been a second slower, Sebastian would’ve caught me. And you want me to pick up your phone? Stephanie, what are you thinking? Has Sebastian spoiled you so much that you’re being so willful?”

“Yeah, I’m willful. So what? If you’re annoyed, why don’t you just send me back?” Stephanie said, her voice dripping with attitude.

Richard’s eyes narrowed. He knew Stephanie was trying to provoke him, hoping he’d give in and send her back. “Hmph, keep dreaming,” he grumbled.

“Fine, fine,” Stephanie said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She said it twice, making Richard’s irritation spike.

He knew Sebastian had spoiled her rotten, and it was driving him up the wall. “Look, don’t push it,” he warned, his tone edged with frustration. “I’ve been holding back a lot of anger for years, and I’m not in the mood to deal with your crap.” With that, he turned and walked away, shaking his head.

He’d been traveling for five days, trying to get Stephanie away from Sebastian. Every night, he barely got an hour of sleep. Now that he was finally back in Paginara, all he wanted was to crash.

After a hot shower, Richard lay down, exhausted. But just as he was about to drift off, a loud “boom” shook the villa.

Richard, always on edge, shot up and leaped out the window. There he saw Stephanie, standing in the yard with a gleeful grin, while the villa’s staff looked horrified.

After everyone had calmed down, they rushed to put out the fire. The butler spotted Richard and hurried over, calling out, “Mr. Casalini.” He shot a resentful glance at Stephanie.

Richard got the message loud and clear. He squinted at Stephanie and said, “Did you do this?”

The kitchen had blown up, and it looked like a gas leak was the cause. No one was sure how Stephanie had done it.

Stephanie smirked. “I didn’t mean it, you know. I just wanted to make some food for my fiancé,” she said, dragging out the word “fiancé.”

The butler just stared, thinking, ‘Who’s the poor soul stuck eating her food?’

Richard’s anger was boiling over. He glared at Stephanie, so furious that he pulled out a gun and pointed it at her forehead. “Are you seriously trying to throw your life away over this?”

Richard’s neck was still bandaged, and his shoulder and hands were wrapped too. He saw Stephanie’s eyes darting around, studying him, and he snapped, “What are you looking at?”

“Just deciding where to bite first,” Stephanie said, her teeth clenched like she was ready to tear into Richard’s skin.

Richard’s anger flared. He couldn’t believe she was pushing him this far. He dropped the gun he was holding, afraid it might go off in his rage.

Richard seized Stephanie by the chin. “Don’t push me any further,” he growled. His fury was uncontrollable, driven by a need to teach her a lesson.

Before he could finish, Stephanie bit down on his wrist.