Sebastian’s lips curled into a terrifying smile. “Stop it, Sebastian,” Stephanie pleaded, tugging at his sleeve. He shrugged her hand off, the smile vanishing. “Who gave you this?” he asked coldly, his gaze fixed on the large diamond ring. He wondered if there were aspects of her Long Harbor life he didn't know. Did she have a boyfriend? His eyes hardened.

“Jackson,” Stephanie blurted, offering no defense for him, regardless of their business relationship. She wouldn't be caught in whatever misunderstanding this ring represented, especially not with Sebastian.

“Jackson?” Surprise flickered in Sebastian's eyes, quickly replaced by cold intensity. How bold, he thought.

Stephanie nodded. “Yes, Jackson. He said it was a peace offering.” A headache pulsed behind her eyes. She knew neither she nor Sebastian believed it. This was unreliable!

Sebastian raised an eyebrow. “A peace offering?” His tone dripped with disbelief.

Stephanie nodded. “Yes. His sister, Lilian, argued with me, remember? He said it was an apology gift.” It was clearly a shortcut. She'd already made it clear that no gift would change anything, and she hadn't spoken a word in his defense.

Sebastian snapped the velvet box shut and tossed it in the trash. His cold gaze fell on Stephanie. “Giving you a ring as an apology? Do you believe that yourself?”

Stephanie fell silent, feeling the fierceness in his gaze. She pouted pitifully. “Right? Do you think he’s out of his mind? When I opened the box and saw the ring, I was dumbfounded!” Jackson, heir to one of Long Harbor's wealthiest families, didn't even know proper gift-giving etiquette. No wonder Sebastian refused to do business with him, she mused.

Under the bamboo grove, in a small cabin, Elliot and Jackson found Sebastian sipping tea. Jackson approached quickly. "Mr. Giovanni."

Sebastian's gaze remained fixed on Stephanie. Feeling uneasy, she tugged at his hand. “Sebastian.” She looked like a child awaiting a scolding.

He pulled her into his arms, his fingers gently pinching her chin. In his gaze, she saw a depth that threatened to pull her under. His voice softened slightly. “And yet, you still accepted it?”

Her explanation, though clear-headed to her, was flimsy. If she knew a ring wasn't a suitable apology, why had she accepted it?

Stephanie explained quickly, “I didn’t accept it. He insisted on leaving it. He was gone by the time I opened the box.”

“Really?”