Chapter 122

The owner of Whispering Bay was sixty-six years old. Stephanie, with a man that age? Chris's breathing grew shallow and rapid. Just as Kevin was about to speak, his phone buzzed. It was Catlin Hart.

Kevin glanced at Chris. "Sir, it's Mrs. Hart."

"Answer it," Chris replied automatically. He could barely hear himself; he didn't register Kevin's words. His mind was consumed by the image of Stephanie with a sixty-six-year-old man. Was she debasing herself for him?

Kevin answered. "Mrs. Hart."

"Kevin, is Chris in a company meeting? I can't reach him."

Kevin looked at Chris, whose face darkened. Before Kevin could respond, Chris flung open the car door and exited. Kevin's heart leaped. Instinctively, he said to Catlin, "Yes, Madam, Mr. Ashford is in a meeting."

As he finished, car horns blared from the traffic lights. Kevin was speechless. Catlin heard them too.

"Meeting? Why does it sound like you're outside?"

Kevin panicked. "Well, Mr. Ashford is busy, Mrs. Hart. I have to go." He hung up, wanting no further interaction.

Stephanie was dragged back. Jennifer's eyes darted nervously as she watched Chris, still wet, stride back into the office. She glanced instinctively at Stephanie. Before Jennifer could react, Chris seized Stephanie's wrist and dragged her back into her office, his anger evident. The moment the door slammed shut, Stephanie wrenched free, her eyes blazing.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Stephanie snapped, her voice laced with disgust.

"I'm going to marry you!" Chris declared.

Stephanie stared, dumbfounded. What was he talking about?

Before Stephanie could respond, the office door swung open, revealing Sebastian, his expression thunderous behind his gold-rimmed glasses. His intense gaze made Stephanie's heart skip a beat. Chris's face darkened.

"What are you doing here?" Stephanie asked, walking toward Sebastian. Elliot had told her he had important matters and wouldn't join her for lunch. She'd planned to have spicy food with Ella.

Sebastian removed his Burberry coat and Hermès scarf, handing them to Stephanie. His every move exuded effortless sophistication and power. Stephanie was puzzled. Why was he removing his clothes? A sense of foreboding washed over her.

As she accepted the garments, Sebastian, without speaking, approached Chris.

"You want to marry her?" Sebastian challenged, his voice menacing.

Chris glared. "Yes, I can give her my name. Can you?"

Stephanie's heart pounded at Chris's pointed question. She turned to Sebastian, the memory of their drunken kiss flashing through her mind. It was the start of something messy she'd been ignoring. But now, with Chris's question hanging in the air, she wondered what Sebastian's answer would be. Could Sebastian give her a title?