Chapter 357

He knew the Giovanis were surrounded by enemies. Even with the backing of the Lucano family, things had gotten a bit out of hand. Sebastian kissed her softly, saying, “You did well.”

After she left Fiorenza, he had gone a bit crazy not knowing where she was. But once he found out she was in Long Harbor, he finally felt a bit at ease.

About ten minutes later, Elliot and Macro returned, bringing a big bag of snacks for Stephanie. She rummaged through it and pulled out a box of jelly, struggling to tear open a coffee bag. Sebastian took it and ripped it open for her. He watched as she poured the coffee powder into a cup and then added the jelly.

“Wait, you can eat jelly like that?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah, it’s really good,” Stephanie replied.

Back when she was in Fiorenza, he never let her eat these things. He bought these just in case she was hungry.

Holding a fork, she offered a piece to Sebastian. He frowned. “What are you doing?”

“Try this,” Stephanie said.

Sebastian looked at the brown powder on the jelly with doubt. “Is this even edible?”

His tone made Elliot, who was driving, jump a little; he thought he had bought the wrong stuff, but the supermarket only had these snacks. And since he knew Stephanie liked sweets, he specifically chose them.

“Trust me, it’s really good. Just try it,” Stephanie said again.

Sebastian was at a loss. In the past few years in Long Harbor, she had really tried everything—spicy food, random snacks, things she never dared to sample with him. He reluctantly took a bite. It was too bitter for his taste.

“Call Fred later,” he said to Elliot.

Stephanie raised an eyebrow. “What do you want to call him for?”

She thought Fred was the most normal one in the Ashford family.

“Just to ask him for some parenting advice,” Sebastian replied casually.

Both Stephanie and Macro exchanged looks of disbelief, thinking, ‘Parenting advice? For Chris, the guy who always acts like a kid?’

Macro was confused about what was going on, but Stephanie understood perfectly. After hearing that Fred, who was on the brink of collapse, was the one calling, she knew this wouldn’t be over so soon.

Elliot was also unaware of the details, but with Sebastian mentioning Fred, he figured it was about Chris. He thought for a moment and asked, “Should I give Mr. Ashford a heads-up that we need to take some special measures with Chris?”

Stephanie’s mind raced. ‘Special measures? What are those? Does a grown-up like Chris still need a spanking?’ She decided to stay quiet and kept eating her jelly.

Sebastian coolly replied, “Sure,” and then wiped the brown powder from her lips.

“Is something on my face?” she asked.

“Yep,” he confirmed and then used a wet napkin to clean her up.

They arrived at the seaside dock, and as soon as Stephanie stepped out of the car, a wave of heat hit her. She quickly pulled her fisherman’s hat down, worried about getting sunburnt.

“Sebastian, do we have any sun-proof clothing?” she asked, shielding her arms from the glaring sun that was sure to tan her.

“What sun-proof clothing? We’re getting on a cruise ship now; do you think the sun can penetrate steel? You’re just being dramatic,” Macro said with a grin.

Stephanie pouted. In the next instant, Sebastian kicked Macro.

“Hey! I didn’t say anything bad!” Macro exclaimed, nearly losing his balance and almost falling into the water. He didn’t know why Sebastian always hit him.

Elliot leaned closer to Macro and whispered, “You said she was dramatic.”

Macro never understood why he got in trouble, and Elliot felt a swell of pity for him.

Stephanie was feeling a bit uneasy about Ella. As Sebastian held her hand and led her toward the ship’s boarding ramp, she dialed Ella’s number. As soon as the call connected, she asked, “Ella, are you safe?”

Ella’s voice came through, sobbing. “Stefi!”

“Why are you crying?” Stephanie questioned.

“I lost my first kiss,” Ella replied, her voice breaking.

Stephanie was utterly baffled.