Chapter 688

If one person said they’re not good-looking, it might be a rumor, but everyone who met them said so. Sebastian thought for a moment, then pinched Stephanie’s cheek gently. “You and Ella do love to gossip.” He had figured that out when they were in Long Harbor. Most of the information Stephanie knew came from Ella’s gossip.

It had to be said that Stephanie had changed a lot in the three years since she left Fiorenza; at least she didn’t gossip before. Stephanie chuckled. “It’s probably a woman’s nature.” Sebastian didn’t mind Ella calling; he was more concerned that she now went to Stephanie with every little problem. At least if she was out and about, gossip could bring her some amusement.

“Hey, tell me, do you think those twins were actually adopted?” Stephanie said. Ella’s guess made sense to Stephanie. After all, the father of Dark Portal’s current leader had been quite the looker in his younger days. Sebastian chuckled, his voice full of indulgence. “You…” He didn’t say whether they were biological or not, and Stephanie didn’t expect any answers from him.

As they were talking, a knock came at the door, and Elliot’s voice sounded from outside, “Mr. Giovanni.” Hearing it was Elliot, Sebastian let go of Stephanie and went to open the door. Seeing Stephanie was also there, a flicker of hesitation flashed across Elliot’s eyes. Sebastian asked, “What is it?” Elliot glanced at Stephanie, thought for a moment, and finally leaned in to whisper something in Sebastian’s ear.

Sebastian’s expression instantly turned cold. “He got away?” “Yes,” Elliot nodded. A chill touched Sebastian’s lips, but the moment he turned to Stephanie, his face softened. “I need to go to the study.” Stephanie had no idea what had happened, but nodded. “Okay, go ahead.” Sebastian and Elliot left together.

Stephanie wasn’t worried. After all, there was no problem in Fiorenza that Sebastian couldn’t handle. Upon entering the study, Sebastian pulled out a cigarette and lit it. He hadn’t smoked in front of Stephanie since she had gotten pregnant. His eyes flashed coldly through the smoke. “Why is he running away?”

“It’s difficult to say with certainty at the moment. Mr. Ashford’s recent intentions toward Ms. Giovanni have been rather peculiar,” Elliot replied. The words ‘rather peculiar’ made Sebastian’s already cold eyes turn even icier. He let out a cold laugh. “His intentions, huh? They reek of something foul.”

Elliot was speechless. He thought, ‘Foul? Indeed. After all, he had been head over heels for Olivia before. Then, after finding out her true colors, he turned around and started pestering Ms. Giovanni.’ “To call it true love… Well, it didn’t feel genuine. This pursuit could be the Ashford family’s way of getting their hands on something the Giovanni family possessed.”

“The Ashford family was nearly as greedy as the Hart family!” Elliot’s face clouded over, as if he’d just remembered something. “Claire and Steven seem to be doing better.” Sebastian raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?” “Mr. Ashford’s visit might have something to do with Claire,” Elliot replied.

Sebastian said nothing. The air in the office fell silent. Elliot added, “Logically, Steven has returned to the Ashford family. Mr. Ashford should be fighting him to the death. But…” Elliot didn’t continue. It couldn’t be a coincidence that Chris would make such a big fuss about Ella at this time. There must be something else going on.

Sebastian sneered. “Find him first.” As for how to deal with it… A dangerous look flashed in Sebastian’s eyes. He thought, ‘The reason behind it… Did the Ashford family really think they could turn the tables with just Steven?’

Ella’s leg still hurt a little. After the high fever, she didn’t have much strength left in her. At the dining table, Ella took the initiative to fill a bowl of soup for Lorenzo. When she placed it in front of him, her eyes fell on a scratch mark on his arm. Her face instantly flushed red.

Lorenzo raised an eyebrow. “How attentive.” Ella stammered. “Um, thank you for last night.” If it weren’t for Lorenzo last night, she probably would have been taken away by those two ugly twins. And the scratch on Lorenzo’s arm was from when she was in bed before…

“What are you looking at? Your face is so red,” Lorenzo asked.