Chapter 168

Stephanie casually tossed her bag onto the sofa. Jackson watched her deft movements, a glint flashing in his eyes. The custom-made bag was treated so carelessly. He wondered if the Harts were blind. How could they possibly believe Stephanie was raised in the countryside? What country bumpkin would raise such a prodigal child?

He recalled Lilian's words: Stephanie had recently arrived from the countryside and understood nothing, which was why they kept her secluded. He'd believed it then, but now he found their assessment incredibly naive.

“Mr. Hodge?” Stephanie frowned, noticing his continued gaze at her bag. “Mr. Hodge, do you like my bag?”

Jackson snapped out of his reverie. “Huh?”

“If you like it, I can give it to you,” Stephanie offered.

Jackson was speechless. A custom-made bag worth tens of thousands, perhaps even three hundred thousand dollars, casually offered away. Stephanie was indeed Sebastian’s daughter. Yet, even with the Giovanni family's wealth, such extravagance seemed excessive.

“No need,” he finally said. The bag's expense aside, what use would a man have for a woman's handbag? Give it to another woman? He didn't even know one!

Jackson hastily produced a box from his pocket and pushed it toward Stephanie. Seeing another velvet box, she couldn't help but ask, “Mr. Hodge, what is this?” Another gift? Was he still trying to ingratiate himself? It wouldn't work on Sebastian.

Jackson stammered, “Did you open that box?”

“Huh?”

“I gave you the wrong box. This is for you.”

Stephanie was dumbfounded.

Chapter 168

It truly had been sent to the wrong person. She knew, as the heir to one of Long Harbor's most prominent families, he must understand appropriate gift-giving. She’d initially thought him mad. Yet, it was simply a mistake.

“Mr. Hodge, do you want back the gift you gave me earlier?”

Jackson nodded. “Yes.”

A twitch played at the corner of Stephanie's mouth. Her gaze instinctively darted to the trash can, finding it empty. It had been changed. 'Oh no!'

“Well, I may not be able to return it,” she said.

“What do you mean?” Jackson’s heart pounded at her words.

Stephanie recounted Sebastian's visit yesterday and his witnessing the ring. Recalling the incident, resentment welled within her; she’d been terrified. Sebastian's expression had been terrifying.

Jackson's heart leaped again at the news of Sebastian's displeasure. So Elliot's call had been about the ring?

Jackson looked at Stephanie with a complex expression. “You didn’t tell him I might have given him the wrong one?”

“How would I know you’d given him the wrong one?” She’d been focused on self-preservation. Jackson's fate hadn't been her concern.

Jackson breathed rapidly. “What about the ring?”

“He threw it in the trash.”