Chapter 182

At a downtown steakhouse, Jackson had just settled with Landyn when his phone rang. It was Elliot, instructing him to bring his lawyer the following day to review a contract.

Jackson's eyes lit up. “Absolutely! Thanks, Mr. Grant. I appreciate it!”

Before he could elaborate, Elliot hung up. He set down his phone, grinning at Landyn. “Order more. We’re celebrating.”

Landyn raised an eyebrow. “What happened?”

“Mr. Giovanni’s team wants to move forward. Contract review is set for tomorrow.”

Landyn's jaw dropped. “It’s a done deal?”

Mr. Giovanni had been in Long Harbor recently, personally selecting local partners. Many people desperately sought to work with him, all vying for access to his resources.

“Almost,” Jackson said, taking a sip of wine and looking pleased. “The first step is done. The rest should fall into place.”

Landyn leaned back. “Then you better keep Lilian under wraps. The last thing you need is her antagonizing Miss Giovanni again.”

Jackson's smile faltered. “Damn it.” He knew Lilian needed a reality check once this deal was finalized. The girl lacked a survival instinct.

“Wasn’t the Ashford family also trying to get in on this?” Landyn asked. “If you’re in, they’re out, right?”

Jackson chuckled. “They were never in. Chris Ashford and Stephanie Giovanni? After everything? Not a chance!” He swirled his wine, smirking. “Besides, Chris is too busy losing his mind over Olivia and that house in Whispering Bay.”

“That’s a problem?”

Jackson’s smile deepened. “That’s where Sebastian and Stephanie are living now. So yeah, I’d say it’s a problem.”

“So you’re saying that place belongs to Sebastian? But didn’t Kevin go there himself before? He had no clue?”

“If he knew, do you think he’d still be out there embarrassing himself?”

Landyn shook his head. “So he dumped Stephanie for Olivia, and now he’s after her brother’s house? This guy’s asking for trouble.”

Jackson set down his glass. “If you ask me, Chris and the Hart family are nothing but entertainment now. Between that house and the doctors they’re constantly seeking, Chris and the Harts are running around like headless chickens over Olivia, completely losing it.”

Landyn snorted. “Of course they’re being played like clowns. Look at Chris; he has no clue what’s really going on. And if this continues, the Ashford family could turn on itself.” If Chris was being manipulated, it certainly wasn't limited to him. Once the family realized Chris had dragged them into this mess, he would be finished. Meanwhile, Stephanie and Sebastian were sitting back, watching the circus from the shadows, letting these idiots lose their minds.

Relieved, Jackson called home, ordering his family to keep Lilian closely supervised for the next few days. No phone calls, no going out—nothing.

Meanwhile, by the lake, Stephanie stared at the water, then at the fishing rod in Sebastian’s hand. “This is the fun you promised?” she thought. She had skipped lunch with Ella for this? Just to sit by a pond and fish?

He glanced over. “You’re not having fun?”

Stephanie stared at him. “Is it fun?”

Stephanie knew Sebastian was a deep-sea fishing pro. In Portofino, he and his friends often chartered boats for weekend fishing trips. She never joined—partly because she got seasick, but mostly because she found it boring and hated the smell of fish.