Chapter 186

Sebastian’s lips curled into a fond smile. Across from him, Macro teased, “Well, well, finally learned to care about your big brother? Guess raising you wasn’t a total waste.” Stephanie shot him a sharp glare. “Just eat your food.” Macro scoffed. This girl had claws, fierce as ever.

Stephanie was determined to prevent Sebastian from drinking that night, but her own alcohol tolerance was equally limited. Two glasses of wine, and she was already tipsy. By the time dinner concluded, Macro and Lorenzo were leaving for a basketball game. Stephanie, eyes glazed and her voice soft with a hint of grievance, murmured, “Seb…”

Sebastian pulled her into his arms as the faint sweetness of wine lingered in the air. His voice was gentle, tinged with indulgence. “Feeling dizzy?” She nodded. “Yes. I wanna go home.” “Alright,” he said, grabbing his coat and wrapping it around her. “Let’s go home.” Those words—let’s go home—struck a deep chord within him.

He lifted her into his arms. She nuzzled against him, her voice laced with drowsy protest. “Liar… You said we were gonna have fun.” “What do you want to do, Stefi?” “Something fun… Something tasty.” But there had been none of that tonight. Her misty eyes gazed up at him, and Sebastian chuckled softly. “Restless little thing.”

Stephanie Giovanni squirmed in his arms, her pout deepening in protest. Outside, the wind howled, sharp and cold, but wrapped snugly in Sebastian’s coat, she felt none of it. Sebastian carried her to the car.

From the driver’s seat, Elliot glanced in the rearview mirror. “Miss Giovanni had a bit too much to drink?” Sebastian looked down at her flushed cheeks. Macro’s earlier teasing echoed in his mind, and his expression softened. “Finally learned to care about your big brother.”

Who knew she’d be such a lightweight? Two glasses of wine, and she was already intoxicated. Elliot shifted gears. “The Ashford family is scrambling to find you. They must’ve figured out we’ve secured a new business partner.” Sebastian chuckled softly. “Good. Let them panic; it’ll make it all the more agonizing.” Elliot nodded. “They’re still trying to identify the real owner of Shallow Bay Area.” Sebastian smirked. “Seems their people are useless after all.”

It took much longer than expected. They were supposed to be the most powerful family in Long Harbor. He had anticipated greater competence. Clearly, they weren’t as capable as their reputation suggested. Pulling Stephanie’s coat tighter around her, he glanced down at her peaceful face.

Elliot mused, “Fred Ashford hasn’t contacted me yet. He probably still doesn’t know who’s behind all this.” “He will soon,” Sebastian said coolly. The moment Fred made contact, Elliot would relay Sebastian’s message. And when that happened, the entire Ashford family would be thrown into chaos.

Meanwhile, across town, Chris had just finished a call with Jackson when another call came in—from the hospital. It was Catlin Hart. “Chris, what the hell is going on with your family? Are they really trying to push Olivia to her breaking point?” Chris frowned. “What happened?” “It’s your father! He stationed ten men outside Olivia’s hospital room. What is he trying to do?”

Catlin was nearly hysterical. Olivia was already in poor health, and the actions of both families had only exacerbated her condition. “Chris, she can’t take any more stress. Please, tell your father to call them off. What is he thinking?” Olivia had fainted upon seeing the men Fred had sent. She was scheduled for discharge in two days, looking forward to moving to Whispering Bay in Shallow Bay. Instead, she awoke under surveillance. Fred wasn’t sending guards to protect her—he was ensuring she remained under control.