Chapter 185

Trouble. As in Olivia. Grace had seen through the Hart family years ago. The whole bunch was rotten, and Olivia? Even worse. Too bad their idiot son was still blind to it.

Chris exhaled sharply. “I’m meeting the Lucano heir soon. Don’t worry, the minerals we need aren’t going anywhere.”

Fred scoffed. “You finally give a damn? Let me guess, because of her?” He knew Chris was panicking for Olivia's sake. Just as Chris turned to leave, Fred’s voice dropped to an icy tone. “If the deal is signed tomorrow… As for Olivia…” He didn’t finish, but Chris felt the threat. His expression darkened. “Leave her alone.”

Fred flicked his ashes. “That depends on you.” Chris barely made it out of the office. Kevin followed, silent and respectful. The second Chris slid into the car, Kevin handed him a fresh shirt—his was soaked from a spilled water cup. “You need to get that cut looked at?” Kevin asked, glancing at the wound on Chris’s forehead. Fred hadn’t held back.

Chris’s voice was cold. “Find out where the Lucano heir is. Now.”

Hearing that name, Kevin felt a headache coming on. That guy was as impossible to deal with as the man around Stephanie. He hesitated. “Actually… I just got a call.”

Chris narrowed his eyes. “What call?”

Kevin hesitated. “The Lucano family’s chosen partner might be the Hodge family.”

Chris stiffened. “The Hodges? Jackson Hodge?”

Kevin nodded. “Seems like it.” The news wasn't fully confirmed, but it was looking that way. Chris’s jaw clenched. Jackson. That bastard had spent years competing with him, and now this?

Without another word, Chris called Jackson. “Hello?” Chris didn’t bother with pleasantries. “You’re partnering with the Lucanos?”

At the Hodge estate, Jackson was still fuming after bringing Lilian home. So when Chris called, he didn’t bother hiding his irritation. “What, got a problem?” Jackson snapped.

Chris’s tone was sharp. “How’d you pull it off? Guess I really underestimated you.”

Jackson laughed dryly. “You wanted it so bad? Should’ve made a move yourself. Don’t whine to me just because you lost.” Chris couldn’t even get a meeting with the Lucano heir, yet he had the nerve to complain? Pathetic. Jackson smirked. “But hey, let me make it easy for you—you could pull every trick in the book, and you still wouldn’t land this deal.” Because Stephanie wouldn’t allow it. Sebastian guarded his sister like a hawk.

Meanwhile, at the Giovanni manor, Stephanie’s pulse jumped when she saw Sebastian pick up his wine glass. Just as he lifted it, she grabbed his wrist. Sebastian frowned. “Stefi?”

“I’ll drink for you,” Stephanie said, reaching for his glass. She wasn't letting him have another drop. Dealing with someone who blacked out every time they drank was beyond frustrating. He’d gotten drunk before, but he wasn’t this much trouble then. Now? Two times in a row, and both times he’d completely lost control.