Chapter 618

Richard and Sofia's marriage, to be blunt, was merely a collaboration. Richard overheard Sebastian say "desperate," instantly darkening his expression. 'What did Sebastian mean by that? Those who insist on marrying for love should be the desperate ones. What I have with Sofia is a partnership. Yet, Sebastian calls me desperate?' Richard thought, furious.

Catching a glimpse of Richard, Sebastian smiled and said to Elliot, "Tell Sofia to tone it down a bit." Elliot looked surprised. Just as he was about to ask why, he noticed Richard standing at the door, looking furious with his arms crossed.

Sebastian remarked, "We shouldn't help someone too thoroughly." Elliot coughed awkwardly, noticing Richard's expression had grown even darker. Sebastian, picking up on the suggestive cough, turned and met Richard's intense gaze. His smile widened as he said, "Mr. Casalini, don't you agree?"

Richard was furious. With a sardonic laugh, he strode over and sat across from Sebastian. "You're being quite unreasonable, aren't you? Stabbing me in the back on purpose?"

"I just didn't want things to go too easily for you," Sebastian replied casually.

They all knew Richard's father, Matthew, was no longer concerned about the relationship with the Giovanni family; he was wary of them. If Sofia became entangled in the internal conflicts between Richard and the Casalini family, it would make it much easier for him to reclaim what belonged to Jessica, his mother. Although Richard was a member of the Casalini family, he held an irreconcilable grudge against them.

Three years ago, he had broken off with the family and reclaimed almost everything that was Jessica's. But he desired more. The crisis the Casalini family faced in earlier years had been resolved through Jessica's marriage. However, Matthew had been ungrateful—he betrayed Jessica.

When Richard was fourteen, the woman Matthew favored caused a scene during Jessica's difficult labor, resulting in the deaths of both Jessica and the baby girl. Yet, Matthew brought that woman and her child into the Casalini family, enjoying everything that should have belonged to Jessica. This was a deep thorn in Richard's heart. He didn't just want to reclaim his mother's possessions; he wanted the entire Casalini family. And if he couldn't have it, he'd destroy it.

"Sebastian, you can betray me in anything, but not in this matter," Richard said, his voice laced with coldness. Before Sebastian could reply, he continued, his tone growing more intense, "I know you resent me for making you and Stephanie miss three years together. But she was my fiancée, and I never intended to harm her."

There was one thing Matthew had done that Richard truly appreciated: arranging for Stephanie. Nobody could understand how he had felt when he learned Stephanie would be his wife. That night, Richard hadn't slept a wink. But Stephanie had developed feelings for Sebastian, the man who had been looking after her since she was a child. Just thinking about it made Richard's blood boil.

Sebastian narrowed his eyes, giving Richard an icy look. "Do you think Sofia can help you get everything back?"

"At least she doesn't need to restrain herself. Let her go to the Casalini family and create chaos," Richard said, gritting his teeth.