Chapter 233

“…Jackson, can I ask you something? What’s the relationship between Stephanie and Mr. Giovanni?”

Jackson’s eyes flickered with thought. He replied curtly, “That’s none of your business.”

“Is she his lover?”

“You-”

“She must be something special, huh? Managing to seduce a man like Mr. Giovanni… Tell me, what exactly did she do to catch his eye?”

One question after another flew at Jackson. His tone turned icy. “Is this what you’ve learned from spending all these years with Olivia? How to tear people down?”

Lilian stiffened. “No, I just-”

“She’s Sebastian’s adoptive sister.”

“…What?”

Lilian’s jaw dropped into an ‘O’ shape. Wait, what?! Jackson didn’t bother explaining further. When had it started? When had he grown so fed up just hearing Lilian speak? Probably ever since she got mixed up with Olivia. Ever since she started hanging around the Harts, her mouth had gotten filthier. Jackson had been in a decent mood earlier, but now Lilian had completely ruined it. “Stay locked up.” With a mouth like that, she’d only cause trouble if she were let loose.

At this point, Jackson was certain—he wouldn’t let her out until Mr. Giovanni took Stephanie and left Long Harbor. Sure, the contract was signed. But if Sebastian changed his mind, Jackson wouldn’t even get the chance to object. Just to be safe, he had to keep Lilian locked up. Hanging up on her, he immediately called the butler. “If she gets her hands on another phone, you can quit.”

“Yes, sir!” The butler sounded both nervous and respectful. Jackson ended the call and turned back to Rebecca.

“Forget picking a gift. A girl raised by Mr. Giovanni has seen all the best things. If we don’t impress her, we might just end up offending him instead.”

No point in risking that.

“Understood.” Rebecca exhaled in relief.

Mount Spring. Stephanie tossed and turned in bed. She was never a still sleeper, and Sebastian worried she might feel unwell after drinking, so he stayed in her room to keep watch. Sitting on the sofa with his laptop, he worked on some documents. Meanwhile, Stephanie turned over, pulling the blanket aside. Her delicate, fair legs peeked out from beneath her nightgown. Especially her pink-tinted ankles, round and adorable. Sebastian’s gaze swept over, a flicker of heat passing through his eyes. Setting his laptop down on the coffee table, he stepped forward and reached out to tuck the blanket back over her. But Stephanie had already pinned it down in her sleep, making it impossible to pull.

Sebastian sighed helplessly. He bent down and lifted her slightly to free the blanket. The movement stirred Stephanie awake. She blinked drowsily, her voice soft as she murmured, “Seb…” The scent of wine lingered in her breath. The black coffee she had earlier didn’t seem to have worked. Sebastian responded with a low hum, covering her legs properly with the blanket.

Just as he was about to rise—Stephanie suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck.

Sebastian paused. “Hm?”

“Do you like me?”

His eyes froze for a second. “Still not sober?”

“Do you like me or not?”

Sebastian sighed. “I do.”

“How much?”

He fell silent. Drunk Stephanie was especially clingy—especially now, with that sweet, sleepy look on her face.

Leaning closer, his warm breath brushed against her neck, his deep voice carrying a slight rasp. “How much does my Stefi like me?”

“A whole lot, a whole, whole lot,” Stephanie replied in her soft, dreamy tone. Even though she was intoxicated, her words still melted away the last trace of coldness in Sebastian’s heart.