Chapter 409

“I’m telling you, Stephanie, the little princess of the Lucano family, is my biological daughter! If you do anything to me, they won’t spare you,” Catlin shouted, struggling to maintain her composure. What she didn’t see coming was the regret that now filled her. While she resented Stephanie for past actions at the Hart residence, she felt a deep sense of remorse. If she’d known from the start that Stephanie grew up with the Lucano family and how much they adored her, she might have favored Stephanie over Olivia back then. Maybe then, the Hart family wouldn’t have turned out like this.

Suddenly, two servants grabbed Catlin. Startled, she shouted, “Hey, what are you doing? Let go of me! I’m Stephanie’s real mom. You can’t treat me this way!” Catlin struggled fiercely. However, the moment she mentioned Stephanie, the atmosphere around these people grew even more threatening.

A painful scream echoed across the Shallow Bay Area as Catlin clutched her injured knee, breathing heavily—she had been forcefully thrown out of the establishment. It was hard for her to believe they would do this. She sat on the ground, her knee in her hands, beads of cold sweat trickling down her face from the pain.

One of the servants pulled out something cold and pointed it at Catlin. Seeing that cold, black gun, Catlin shuddered. “W-What do you want?” she stammered, trembling uncontrollably. After witnessing Tyler’s return from Shallow Bay in such a state, Catlin knew that the people around Stephanie were not to be trifled with.

‘But I’m Stephanie’s mother—how dare they treat me like this?’ Catlin was stunned, struggling to find the words. “You, you all…”

At that moment, Henry stepped forward from between the two servants, his hands clasped behind his back. He regarded Catlin with sharp, penetrating eyes. “Do you know why your son’s hand was broken when he left Shallow Bay earlier?”

“W-Why?” Catlin stammered.

“Because he tried to hit Stephanie,” Henry replied coolly.

“But he’s her brother,” Catlin protested.

Henry’s expression hardened. “Brother? Seems like you won’t be getting back home safely today.”

“W-What do you mean?” Catlin’s breath caught, her heart racing with fear. ‘What did he mean by not making it back safely? What are they planning to do? I’m Stephanie’s real mother, after all.’

Henry adjusted his slightly wrinkled cuffs. “The little princess, cherished by both the Lucano family from Fiorenza and the Giovannis, personally raised by Mrs. Lucano and Mr. Giovanni, isn’t someone just anyone can claim relation to.”

Catlin felt a wave of suffocation wash over her.

Henry continued, “You say the little Lucano princess is your daughter? Then what is Mrs. Lucano to her?”

Catlin fell silent, a deep sense of suffocation washing over her once more.

Henry pressed on, “You’ve always claimed she’s your daughter, but during these years at the Hart residence, it didn’t seem like you treated her well. What’s going on now? Are you trying to get something from her?”

“No, I’m not,” Catlin protested weakly.

“Not?” Henry sneered, his laughter dripping with sarcasm.

A shiver ran through Catlin’s body as she felt utterly embarrassed.

Henry leaned closer, stating, “If you’re not looking for advantages, then why are you so eager to find her now?” He emphasized the word “eager,” as if he was exposing the most shameful thoughts lurking in Catlin’s mind for all to see.

After breakfast, Stephanie and Sebastian headed out. As they drove off, Sebastian suddenly pulled Stephanie into his arms, shielding her face when he noticed Catlin and the others at the gate. Stephanie was taken by surprise by his sudden movement. She lifted her small face from his embrace and asked, “What are you doing?”

Sebastian leaned down and kissed her lips, cutting off any further questions she might have had. Stephanie was confused. Instinctively, she wanted to resist, fearing she might trigger this lion-like man into losing control again. She had been enjoying the ocean view when he suddenly did this.

Only after they passed those guys did Sebastian let go of Stephanie, but his breathing was noticeably fast and uneven. Stephanie instinctively tried to pull away. She realized that whenever Sebastian breathed like this, she was in danger. But just as she moved a foot away, he scooped her right back into his arms. “Why are you avoiding me, huh?” he asked, his gaze searching hers.