Chapter 331
Stephanie’s body tensed as she tried to recall what he had said. Her mind flashed back to the day she saw Richard’s face smeared with blood. She hadn’t known what had happened to him or why he was bleeding.
He’d told her, “Remember, you’re my fiancée. Leaving Fiorenza is good for you right now, and I’ll come get you myself.”
At that moment, Stephanie, furious over Richard’s threats about her family, slapped him. She turned to leave, tears streaming down her face, when Richard’s cold voice came from behind her. “Remember, don’t get involved with Sebastian. Or else…”
Richard didn’t need to finish his sentence. Stephanie knew the Giovanni family was in a precarious position. She couldn’t afford to make things worse for Sebastian, so she had no choice but to listen and stay away.
Right now, at the sound of Richard’s warning, Stephanie looked up, her eyes filled with tears and anger. Richard grabbed a fistful of her hair at the back of her head. “Looks like you’ve totally ignored my words. Or did you forget the important part?”
“What important part?” she growled.
“You’re my fiancée. Now how do you explain this mark?” Richard’s fingers dug into her neck, his eyes blazing with fury. His whole body seemed to vibrate with rage.
Stephanie let out a bitter laugh. “Are you kidding yourself?” she snapped. Richard’s grip tightened, and she gasped in pain. She wanted to bite him, but she couldn’t reach. She reached for his stomach, aiming to pinch him, but his abs were rock-hard.
Richard glanced down at her hand, his eyes turning cold. Then he let out a quiet chuckle. “Is this the move Sofia taught you? How cute.”
But before he could finish, he let out a muffled groan. “You witch. Are you trying to end my future? Or do you want to be a widow for life?” Stephanie’s kick to his groin had caught him off guard, and he instinctively let go of her.
Seizing the moment, Stephanie broke free and backed away, eyeing Richard warily. Richard bent over, catching his breath, and gave her a sideways glance. His look was so intense it made her skin crawl.
Frightened, Stephanie grabbed an ashtray. “Stay back, or I’ll hit you!” Her chubby face looked comically fierce as she tried to sound intimidating.
Richard sneered. “Come on, throw it. If you don’t take me down today, I’ll make sure you pay.”
“You…” Stephanie was at a loss for words. When someone wasn’t afraid to risk everything, people would step aside. That was the first lesson Sofia taught her when she took Stephanie away.
In desperation, Stephanie brought the ashtray to her forehead.
“Stephanie!” An angry shout echoed through the room as Richard’s hand clamped down on her wrist. He grabbed her so hard that it felt like her bones might break. Stephanie’s hand went limp from the pain, and the ashtray clattered to the floor.
Richard shoved her aside, pointing at her furiously. “You really are something else,” he spat through gritted teeth.
Stephanie bit her thin lips, tears welling up in her eyes. Richard glared at the marks on her neck before turning and storming toward the door.
Seeing him leave, Stephanie finally felt a flicker of relief.
As Richard reached the door, he paused and turned back to her. “Do you really think you and Sebastian can actually be together?”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
Richard sneered. “Don’t forget you’re my fiancée,” he said before walking out the door.
“Talk about a lunatic,” Stephanie muttered under her breath. She didn’t believe Richard had the right to decide whether she could be with Sebastian. Sebastian had told her to trust him, to let him handle it. She believed he would take care of everything.
“Tch, if even Mom doesn’t object, what’s it to him?” Stephanie grumbled, feeling annoyed. But she felt a wave of relief now that he was finally gone. At least she wouldn’t have to share a room with him. Glancing at the ashtray on the floor, she still felt a bit shaken.