Chapter 367

“Go and bring Bernie back,” Sebastian commanded, his tone flat but firm.

Elliot paused, his mind racing. “Bring him back? We just sent him away.” After driving Bernie off the yacht, Elliot had a pretty good idea of Sebastian’s intentions. It was all part of a clever game to assert control—the first step to show that no matter where they were, Sebastian was the one in charge. Based on his understanding of Sebastian, Elliot knew there was definitely a plan in place. This move was strategically necessary. Bringing Bernie back would likely achieve the desired effect.

Without overthinking it, he nodded. “Yes, I’ll do it right away,” he said, his voice steady. Elliot then left.

Macro looked at Sebastian, his voice softening. “With Richard holding them, you can relax. He won’t do anything to Stefi.”

Everyone knew about Richard’s feelings for Stephanie. Things should have been fine. But who would have thought that Richard and Sebastian would end up on opposing sides, making it difficult for him to see Stephanie?

When his grandfather was alive, Richard had shown a strong interest in Stephanie. But then his grandfather died in an accident, and his family underwent a significant change. Richard and Sebastian found themselves in a completely different situation, one where everything had changed.

Bernie was dragged back by Elliot and his men, his face a mess of bruises and swelling. It was clear he’d been roughed up before being tossed off the yacht. He’d almost made it away, but now he was back in their grasp. Fuming with rage, Bernie shouted, “Mr. Giovanni, what is this about? Are you trying to burn all your bridges with Keris Isle?”

Bernie’s brother Bert was the real power behind the island, and offending him would mean cutting off all ties with Keris Isle.

Sebastian’s cold, piercing gaze fell on Elliot, who nodded and stepped forward, delivering a swift kick to Bernie’s knee. Bernie stumbled and fell to his knees, the breath knocked out of him. Sebastian’s hands were clasped behind his back, his eyes fixed on Bernie with a chilling intensity. “I told you before, I want that thing,” he said, his voice flat but menacing.

The politeness he’d shown earlier was gone; now, he made it clear he intended to take it by force and paid nothing in return. Macro, used to Sebastian’s assertiveness, sat off to the side, seemingly unfazed by the tension.

Theodore felt a cold knot in his chest. If Richard kept holding onto Stephanie, he could easily become a target of Sebastian’s wrath at any moment.

Bernie, sensing the danger in Sebastian’s tone, insisted, “I don’t have it on me.”

“Really?” Sebastian’s voice dripped with skepticism.

Bernie tried to reason with him. “Let me go first, and send someone with me to get it.”

Sebastian let out a cold, mocking laugh. His gaze turned even more dangerous as he looked at Bernie.

“I swear, I don’t have it on me,” Bernie repeated, desperation creeping into his voice.

Sebastian turned to Theodore, his eyes narrowing. “Did you hear that?”

Theodore was silent for a moment, realizing with a sinking feeling that he was being used as a witness.

Sebastian’s voice softened, almost gentle. “Theodore, you’ve grown up with me watching over you. You know how important Stef is to the Giovanni family, right?”

But Theodore felt a chill run down his spine. He glanced at the gun Sebastian was idly twirling in his hand and replied, “Understood.”

“Do you want Richard to live?” Sebastian’s question hung in the air like a threat.

Theodore’s heart skipped a beat. He knew they couldn’t touch Stephanie. With just one word from Sebastian, they might not make it off the yacht alive.

“I’ll call him right away,” he said without hesitation, glancing at Macro, who had taken his phone.

Macro tossed the phone to him. “Talk to your brother properly. Why pick on Stefi of all people? If he needs a hostage, he should take me instead. I’m tough. Sebastian wouldn’t get so angry then, would he?”

He shook his head and thought, ‘Sebastian and she have just enjoyed some intimate moments. Taking her now is like asking for trouble. It’ll only push Sebastian to the edge.’

Theodore paused, his mind racing, ‘Isn’t making him angry exactly what we wanted? I was careless. How did I end up so close to Sebastian?’