Chapter 131

Suddenly, Chris felt a void in his chest. Stephanie turned to Elliot. “Olivia’s account had a thirty-thousand-dollar withdrawal. Track where that money went.” The Harts had readily accepted Olivia's story. Stephanie scoffed, “Scammed, my ass.” She would never believe it. Elliot nodded. “Understood.” She would get to the bottom of this.

Evening. Sebastian returned to Whispering Bay, only to find Elliot had already left after dropping Stephanie off to meet him. The dining table was set with all her favorite dishes from Fiorenza. Midway through her meal, Sebastian called, answering before the butler could. “Don’t start. I’m full. I’ve only had one bowl!” He treated her like a child, monitoring her every bite. Was Sebastian really that stressed? What if he started complaining she wasn’t independent enough? She wouldn’t take the blame for that. “So obedient?” Sebastian’s voice, warm and indulgent, replied, “When I’m full, I’ll stop. Don’t worry so much, okay?” “With you, I can’t help but worry,” Sebastian said. Stephanie stopped talking. Sebastian went silent. Fine, let him worry. “When are you coming back? Have you been drinking?” Her voice softened. “Probably another two hours. I had a little to drink. Don’t wait up, go to sleep.” “Okay, got it.” She hung up.

Sebastian returned to the dining room. There was no way she was stopping; she was hungry. The butler watched, a bit stunned, as she polished off two more bowls. A good appetite was a blessing, he supposed. Just as she finished, Sebastian stepped into the courtyard to walk off his meal when Chris called. As soon as she answered, Stephanie couldn’t wait to hang up. “What? What do you want? Is this ever going to end?” Sebastian’s tone dripped with disdain. She couldn’t stand him. Hearing her voice, Chris’s breathing quickened. “Who owns Whispering Bay?” “What for?” “Ask him. I’ll buy it, whatever the price.” Olivia must have said something at the hospital, Sebastian thought. Chris was always a mess when it came to Olivia. “He won’t sell. Give it up.” Chris exploded, “Tell me who this owner is! I heard he’s 66 years old. Sebastian, are you really with a guy on his last leg?” Sebastian had been seen with a different man every day recently. Chris was utterly confused about Whispering Bay’s ownership; Olivia’s illness had left him distraught. Sebastian, upon hearing ‘66,’ thought Chris was completely clueless. “I’m going to inherit his estate, is that a problem? You think I should go for you instead? With your messed-up family, how long would I have to deal with that? An old man is perfect. No parents, no in-laws, no drama. What a wonderful life.” Chris’s heart seized, and he nearly collapsed.