Chapter 364

Stephanie kept glaring at him, her eyes blazing with defiance. Richard tapped her forehead lightly with his knuckles. “Have I been too lenient with you before?”

‘He’s got some nerve,’ she thought, her anger boiling over. He’s the one without a shred of decency. Richard’s voice was a low, menacing command. “Talk.”

Stephanie’s lips pursed into a tight line, her eyes flickering with irritation. One glance at her expression told Richard she was thinking of sinking her teeth into him again. They’d grown up together, but he’d never realized how sharp her teeth were. The marks on his neck and hand were fresh, and there was even an indentation on his wrist.

“I said, talk,” Richard growled, his grip tightening. “Are you deaf?”

But Stephanie’s eyes were a challenge, almost mocking him. His threats seemed to bounce off her, only fueling her own defiance. She could see his anger simmering, and it only made her curse him inwardly.

Damn it, Richard muttered inwardly, ‘If you’ve got something to say, say it to my face.’ He then said with anger, tapping her head with the butt of his gun, “Have you heard me? I said, talk to me.”

Stephanie’s patience snapped. “What do you want me to say?” she snapped back, wondering what on earth he wanted to hear.

Richard’s eyes flashed with anger. “Didn’t I tell you what it is?”

Stephanie rolled her eyes, feeling a mix of anger and disbelief. ‘He’s seriously out of his mind,’ she thought. Her eyes were darting around, and Richard could tell she was cursing him in her head again. He was so pissed off that he grabbed her by the throat. “Tell me,” he snapped, his voice low and tight. “What the hell are you thinking?”

“I think you’re a bit off your rocker,” she said.

Richard’s eyes narrowed. Clearly, she was seriously pushing it. He warned, his tone low and menacing. “Think I won’t snap your neck right here?”

“Then you’d better be ready to go down with me,” Stephanie shot back. She wasn’t afraid of him—or death. In fact, Richard was the one who feared it more. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been hiding all these years, running off to Paginara like a coward.

She remembered a lesson Sofia had taught her years ago: In a dangerous situation, fear of death leads to a loss of composure and reluctance to take risks. If enemies perceive this fear, they have already gained the upper hand.

“Great,” Richard said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “You’re brave. Now tell me, did Bernie hand it over to your dear brother?” He emphasized the word “brother,” as if trying to remind her of her once-connection to Sebastian.

Stephanie’s glare was unyielding. “I don’t know,” she said.

Richard wasn’t buying it. “You and Sebastian are inseparable. How could you not know?”

“I really don’t know,” Stephanie repeated.

Richard’s grip on her neck tightened again, and for a moment, he actually thought about killing her.

Chapter 161

But just as the tension between them reached a breaking point, there was a knock on the door. At that moment, Stephanie’s voice pierced through the silence, “Help—”

But before she could finish, Richard clamped a hand over her mouth, his eyes blazing with fury. She squirmed, but just as suddenly, a voice from outside the door shattered the tension. “Richard, it’s Theodore.”

Stephanie’s body tensed, but as she recognized the voice, she gradually relaxed. Richard’s hand slipped away from her mouth, but he made a half-hearted motion as if to slap her. She flinched, covering her face with her hands. But instead of striking her, Richard yanked her away from the door and flung it open.

Theodore burst in, and his eyes widened in shock at the sight of Stephanie. “How is she here? Are you out of your mind? You just caught her here?”

His first thought was how close he’d come to running himself ragged. This was Sebastian’s territory, and Sebastian was on the cruise. Every step felt like walking on thin ice, their lives hanging by a thread.

Richard shot Theodore a glare. “You’re so spineless.”

Theodore’s face flushed with frustration. “This is crazy. Why mess with Stephanie right under Sebastian’s nose? Last time at Shallow Bay, we managed to get her out of there, but this time… well, I don’t think we can take her away!”

He shook his head. “I’m not as fearless as you. You don’t even care about your own life. Why aren’t you running? What are you even waiting for here?”

Stephanie’s mind raced. So they even think about taking me away?

Richard’s cold gaze fell on Theodore. “Do I really have to run?”

Theodore looked surprised. “Come on, you’re dealing with his little princess here. Not running away? Don’t tell me you’re planning to send her back. Listen, it’s me or Stephanie. She stays, I’m out. If you’re taking her, then we’re all leaving together.”

Stephanie’s eyes widened in confusion. What did he mean by that! That sounds like something two love rivals would say:

Before Richard could kick Theodore out, Stephanie jumped up, her face flushed with anger. “I’m telling you all, I’m not leaving this boat, even if you kill me.”

Both Richard and Theodore turned to look at her, stunned.