Chapter 329

“Ouch!” Richard yanked his arm back. “Are you some kind of animal?” he snapped, wincing. On the way back, Richard had been on high alert, bracing for her inevitable retaliation. But in a moment of lapse, she still managed to bite him. This time, Stephanie’s frustration had built up, and she actually drew blood. The butler stood there, stunned into silence as Stephanie spat the piece of flesh onto the grass. Richard stared at the bloody mess, then at his bleeding wrist, his face darkening.

His fury was boiling over. “Stephanie,” he said through gritted teeth, “I’m gonna knock out your teeth one by one.” He felt like he’d be a pushover if he didn’t teach her a lesson. But just then, Richard’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, irritation flashing across his face. It was Sebastian.

On their way back, they’d turned off every device that could give off a signal, including their phones, to avoid being tracked by Sebastian. It was how they’d managed to slip away undetected. Richard had just switched his phone back on, and the call came through. As he thought about how much Sebastian cared for Stephanie and what they’d done in Long Harbor, his eyes turned cold as ice. He looked like a betrayed lion, ready to pounce.

Richard glanced sharply at Stephanie before answering the call. “Sebastian, have you thought this through? Is Stephanie really worth it?”

Sebastian’s voice was steady. “If she loses even a hair, Richard, Valentina’s coming back to you in pieces.”

Richard let out a harsh laugh. She hadn’t lost any hair, but he was definitely missing some skin. “You think you can use Valentina to scare me? Let me be clear. She means nothing to me here.”

Stephanie’s eyes narrowed as she looked at him. What was he saying? She’s his own sister. Can’t believe how ruthless people can be. Looks like the Hart family isn’t the only one with scumbags, she thought to herself.

“My patience is running out, Sebastian. For the sake of what we used to have, I’m hoping you’ll make this easier,” Richard said, his voice tight. “Over the past two years, you’ve bled me dry,” he added, his tone turning more intense. “If you keep pushing, I’ll make Stephanie mine right now.”

Stephanie looked at him, her eye twitching involuntarily. Has two years of being hunted by Sebastian finally unhinged him? Why is he still talking about the past? Are there even any good memories left to hold onto?

Over the phone, Sebastian’s voice came through, low and threatening. “Just try me.”

Richard shook his head. “Anyway, all I’ve got left is this worthless life, so don’t push me,” he said before hanging up abruptly. Frustrated, Richard threw the phone onto the lawn, lit a cigarette, and took a long drag. He glanced back at Stephanie, the wild look still in his eyes.

He sneered at Stephanie’s stunned expression. “What? Are you scared?”

Stephanie found his words a bit amusing. Scared? Not really. I just think he is pathetic. Sebastian has pushed him to this, she thought.

“Answer me,” Richard snapped.

“What do you want me to say?” she cut in.

“Tell me if you’re afraid of me,” Richard said, his voice edged with a challenge.

“Yeah, I’m terrified to death,” Stephanie replied, figuring it would feed his ego.

But the next moment, Richard burst into laughter. The way he laughed, with that twisted look on his face, was unsettling. Given how Sebastian had probably been tormenting him for the past two years, Stephanie wasn’t surprised.

“I’ve never really understood why you had to make such a big deal with him,” she said, shrugging. She was sure Richard knew exactly what kind of person Sebastian was since they grew up together. “And I remember you and your sister Valentina weren’t really close anyway,” she continued. Why did he go through all that trouble just to help Valentina take Mom and Sofia away back then? By doing so, he gave Valentina the perfect excuse to push him out. I really don’t understand, she thought.

Richard’s eyes narrowed. The mention of Valentina made his gaze turn cold. “If you’re clueless, that’s one thing,” he said, his voice low and tense. “But Sebastian’s no better – it drives me crazy.”

Stephanie’s eyes widened in confusion. She’d only asked a question, and she couldn’t figure out what she’d messed up this time.

Richard didn’t want to deal with her. He turned to leave, but Stephanie shouted after him, “You’d better send me back!”

“Not happening,” Richard said without looking back.

Stephanie gritted her teeth. “Oh, really? Fine. Let’s see if he changes his mind later,” she muttered to herself.