Chapter 134

Stephanie felt Chris, and everyone around him, was utterly clueless. Useless, the whole lot. A sixty-six-year-old guy? Seriously, where did they find that information?

"Didn't you say you'd be back in two hours? You're early," she said. She had called him earlier, instructing him to let her sleep.

Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "Are you losing all self-control at night now?"

Stephanie blinked. "Huh?"

"You're a grown woman. Don't you worry about gaining weight? Eating so much." He was genuinely concerned she might make herself sick; that's why he'd rushed back.

Stephanie's lips twitched. "You came back just for that?"

"Is that not a good enough reason?"

Stephanie was speechless. More than enough!

"Well, I haven't been eating properly before," she mumbled.

Sebastian hummed in question.

"Nothing, never mind." She quickly buried her face in his chest, silent.

But Sebastian had heard her. He gently stroked her slender back, his touch full of affection. He knew she hadn't been eating well for years. Why else would she be bingeing lately, craving everything?

"Seb..."

"Hmm?"

"When are we going back to Fiorenza?" This city annoyed her. She hated it.

"There are still a few things to take care of. If they're bothering you, I'll have Elliot deal with them." Sebastian's voice lost some of its tenderness mentioning Elliot. His precious girl, bullied like this… Hmph.

The next few days, Stephanie focused on her studio, while Catlin continued to evade the lawyer. Catlin had hidden herself after the hospital visit, avoiding the disownment agreement. What were these people so afraid of? However, Elliot made progress tracing the three hundred thousand dollars Olivia had spent.

On the third morning, Stephanie awoke to a text: "I'm getting discharged in four days!" It was from Olivia, a new number. She'd been texting for two days, constantly reminding Stephanie of her release. Stephanie found it hilarious. What did her discharge have to do with her? She'd blocked yesterday's number, and now Olivia was using another. Where did they get so many numbers? No matter. She'd block every single one. She'd considered changing her number, but figured if they were determined to annoy her, they'd find her in person. She lacked the patience to deal with them, or the energy to fight them. Unlike yesterday, Olivia added: "I'll be staying at Whispering Bay as soon as I'm discharged. Chris told me you also like watching the sunrise." A blatant, boastful display. So confident. Stephanie chuckled. So that's what this was about. For once, she didn't remain silent. She replied: "Whispering Bay? Good luck getting in." Olivia: "Chris personally promised me. There won't be any changes." Stephanie scoffed: "Well, I wish you success!" Message sent, number blocked. Stephanie was always decisive with such people. The moment she recognized them, she blocked them immediately. That's why it was so difficult for the Harts and Chris to reach her.

Downstairs, Sebastian was at the breakfast table, instructing the butler, "Tell the kitchen to cut back on portions. We don't need mountains of food every meal."

"It's a good thing Miss Giovanni has a healthy appetite. Some young ladies practically starve themselves to stay thin," the butler replied.

"Exactly, then they get sick from their crazy diets. It's not healthy," Sebastian retorted.

The butler nodded in agreement.