Chapter 169

When Stephanie saw Sebastian toss the ring into the trash can, she considered retrieving it and returning it to Jackson. However, Sebastian remained in the office, making retrieval impossible. How could she possibly retrieve it in front of him?

Jackson gasped. “You didn’t pick it up for me?”

“I was scared!” Stephanie replied.

Jackson fell silent. If even Stephanie wouldn't dare retrieve it in front of Sebastian, no one else would.

“Who changed the trash can?” he asked, unable to accept the ring's disappearance. Though insignificant to him personally, he wasn't wealthy, and moreover, the ring belonged to Landyn.

“I’ll ask,” Stephanie said, picking up the intercom and calling Jennifer.

Jennifer, upon hearing about the trash can, replied, “I took it with me when I left work yesterday.”

“Did you see a ring box in the trash?” Jackson asked.

“No, it was all paper,” Jennifer responded.

Who would search through a trash can for no reason? Stephanie looked at Jackson silently, sensing his despair. The garbage had been collected yesterday; retrieving the ring would likely require a trip to the landfill.

Jackson looked at Jennifer. “You didn’t see a big box?”

Jennifer replied innocently, “No.”

Stephanie addressed Jackson, “The box wasn’t big.” It truly wasn't; how large could a ring box be?

Jackson rubbed his temple, a headache forming. He recalled Landyn's recent call; Landyn wouldn't let this go easily, blaming Jackson for the loss.

“Can’t you just rummage through it? It’s your boss’s trash can,” Jackson urged Jennifer. “What if she accidentally threw something important away?”

Jennifer looked at Stephanie and then Jackson, confused. Stephanie casually discarded designer bags; what could possibly warrant searching through her trash?

Jackson stiffened, recalling Stephanie's nonchalant disposal of her bag. Raised by Sebastian, it seemed nothing held true importance in her world.

Stephanie dismissed Jennifer. “You may leave first.”

Jennifer departed. Only Stephanie and Jackson remained. Jackson’s expression was unreadable.

“It’s really gone?” he asked.

“Didn’t you hear everything?” Stephanie replied.

“Are you sure she didn’t rummage through the trash?” Jackson pressed, still clinging to the hope the ring had been retrieved.

Stephanie's tone shifted. “What do you think of the people here? They wouldn’t do that.”

Jackson, originally intending to verify, reconsidered. Upsetting Stephanie would only further displease Sebastian, whose protectiveness of her was evident at the banquet.

Jackson rubbed his forehead. “Then can you please explain to Sebastian that I sent the wrong ring?” Finding the ring mattered less than preventing Sebastian's misunderstanding—he suspected Elliot’s call from yesterday was related.

“All right,” Stephanie agreed. Seeing his anxiety, she called Sebastian.

The call connected quickly. “Stefi.”

“Sebastian, Mr. Hodge is here asking me for the ring.”

Jackson's heart pounded. He needed her to explain his inquiry; otherwise, the situation would worsen.

Chapter 170