Chapter 161

Jackson blamed Landyn for his predicament. If not for Landyn, he wouldn't be in this mess. The thought of the Casalini family's fate—particularly Sebastian's—brought a cold sweat.

Landyn, however, was irritated by Jackson's outburst. "What do you mean? Did you give the ring to Jessica?" he demanded. "You can barely manage your own relationships, yet you presume to know me?"

Jackson retorted, "What the hell are you so angry about?" Landyn was baffled; Jackson had seemed fine on their earlier call. Trembling, Landyn pressed, "Tell me the truth. Did you give the ring to Jessica?"

Jackson, exasperated, hung up. The word "ring" itself caused a throbbing headache. Damn that ring! But immediately, Landyn called back. "Tell me the truth. Did you give the ring to Jessica?"

"I gave it to your grandfather!" Jackson shouted.

Landyn replied, "Go get it back."

Jackson fell silent, his headache intensifying.

Overhearing their conversation, Rebecca subtly twitched the corner of her mouth. Both their grandfathers had been deceased for years.

At Whispering Bay, Sebastian returned home at midnight after dinner with Stephanie. Stephanie, engrossed in her Skyriver Travel design project, had also worked late. She heard an engine and, worried Sebastian might have been drinking, went to investigate; she also needed water.

Elliot's voice greeted her at the door. "You shouldn't bother with those people. Why drink with them?"

Sebastian sat on the sofa, removing his glasses and rubbing his aching nose. He remained silent.

"I'll have someone make you some black coffee," Elliot offered.

"Go home," Sebastian mumbled, his drunken slur audible even from a distance.

Elliot, after a moment's consideration, nodded and left. Stephanie descended the stairs.

Sebastian turned at the sound of her footsteps. His usually cold eyes, softened by alcohol, held a rare tenderness. "Stefi, come here."

His gentle voice stirred Stephanie's heart. She approached, noting his flushed face and instinctively touched his forehead. "You don't have a fever this time." Sebastian was prone to fevers after drinking, requiring her care throughout the night. He never spent the night out, always requiring Elliot to take him home. When drunk, he allowed only her near him.

Stephanie asked, "Didn't Elliot say you shouldn't deal with them? Why drink then?"

Before she could react, he pulled her onto his lap. Startled, she fell forward, their lips meeting. Her eyes widened, and she instinctively tried to pull away, but he held her chin and deepened the kiss. The taste of alcohol and roses lingered. She struggled, but he flipped her onto the sofa, pinning her down. Her heart pounded.

"Sebastian…" she breathed.

His drunken eyes flickered with tenderness, causing a profound reaction within her. Years of emotional barriers began to crumble. Without a word, he kissed her again.