Chapter 330

The villa had been wrecked by Stephanie’s gas accident. The kitchen on the first floor, and even the living room, was almost unrecognizable. Richard had taken her to another manor. Stephanie was impossible to deal with, and Richard had no choice but to keep a close eye on her.

When Stephanie finally dragged herself out of the shower, exhausted from the chaos, all she wanted was to sleep. But instead, she found Richard sitting on the bed, holding a book.

Stephanie’s face twitched. “What do you want?” she asked.

Richard sighed. “What do you think? I’m watching you.” He shook his head. She was trouble, and he was afraid she’d ruin every property he owned.

Stephanie glanced around the room. There was a couch, but it looked cramped. ‘Is he seriously suggesting I sleep on that? He’s being so unreasonable,’ she thought.

“Why are you just standing there?” Richard said impatiently. “Get in bed. Aren’t you tired?” Stephanie’s eyes widened. “What?” she said, incredulous. “Sleep in the same bed with you?”

Richard shrugged. “Consider it a little bonus for you,” he said with a smirk.

“Wow, thanks,” Stephanie replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She didn’t want this “bonus” at all. “You leave, and I won’t make a fuss, okay?” she said, trying to find a way out. “Just give me some space.” Richard chuckled. “If you’d been this cooperative from the start, we wouldn’t have had so many problems.” Stephanie was speechless. ‘Who could stay calm when they were kidnapped? No way,’ she grumbled in her mind. Richard chuckled again. “Too bad it’s too late now. I don’t trust you.”

Stephanie’s face burned with anger. She clenched her teeth and shot Richard a glare.

Richard watched her for a moment, then pulled back the blanket, got out of bed, and walked straight toward her.

Stephanie instinctively stepped back, but in the next instant, Richard grabbed her pajama collar with a rough hand. There was a tearing sound as the silk ripped and a button flew off.

The room fell silent. Stephanie’s eyes blazed. “Richard, you jerk! I’m gonna tear you apart!”

“Don’t move,” Richard warned, pinning her down with a quick, firm motion as she lunged at him.

“Let go,” Stephanie said, her voice steady but tense.

“Think you can move again?” Richard taunted, a glint in his eye as he held a knife close to her neck. The blade was cold, a silent threat.

Stephanie glanced at the bandage on his neck, a reminder of the bite she’d inflicted. “You’re threatening me?” she said, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Richard pushed her against the wall, and Stephanie winced as her back hit it hard. Her face twisted in pain, and for a second, Richard thought she might lash out. He lifted her chin, his fingers brushing the spot on her neck where Sebastian had left his mark. His eyes darkened, and his expression turned cold.

“Are you really with Sebastian now?” he asked, his voice low and quiet. The rumors from Long Harbor had been hard to ignore.

“What does it have to do with you?” Stephanie shot back, her voice defensive.

Richard straightened, his eyes cold and piercing as he looked down at her. The danger he exuded was palpable, and Stephanie felt a shiver run down her spine. She’d been defiant moments ago, but now his gaze made her feel uneasy. “Why are you staring at me like that?” she demanded.

Richard stepped closer, giving her no space to move. Stephanie tried to back away, but her back was already against the wall. “What are you doing? Get out of the way,” she said, pushing at his chest.

But Richard leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. “Do you remember what I told you before you left Fiorenza?” His voice was deep, tinged with barely contained anger.