Chapter 191
Chris nearly saw red. “You—!”
Stephanie didn’t relent. “Sure, you’re the CEO of the Ashford Group, but remind me, who really calls the shots?”
“Shut up!” Chris snapped.
She chuckled. “Your dad may not be at the office much, but tell me, how much can you actually move from the company’s accounts? Anything over ten million requires his signature, doesn’t it?”
“And now you’re talking about ‘any price’? Do you even have that kind of money? What do you think your father will say when he finds out you want to spend millions on a recovery retreat for your little sweetheart?”
Chris’s head pounded. This woman—if she wasn’t throwing punches, she was certainly running her mouth. And honestly, he’d rather take a hit than listen to her any longer. Because as infuriating as she was, she wasn’t wrong.
Ever since Olivia’s return, financial approvals at the company had changed. He couldn’t sign off on anything over ten million without his father’s approval. Hell, even a million-dollar transaction needed the green light from the top.
Chris clenched his jaw. “Fine. Name your price.”
Stephanie scoffed. “I already told you—you can’t afford it. Why keep asking? Are you planning to take it by force?”
That was the final straw. Chris felt like he might cough up blood. He was tempted to hang up, but considering how difficult it was to reach Stephanie, he forced himself to hold on.
Stephanie scoffed again. “Take it by force? Wow, you really think you’re something, huh?”
“I’m not—”
“Then can you even afford it? That place in Shallow Bay Area? We’re talking a minimum of one hundred million.”
‘Hundred million!’ Chris’s face darkened. His first instinct was to call her ridiculous, but the truth was, that was the actual market value.
He took a deep breath. “I don’t have that much liquidity right now.”
Damn this woman. He’d never realized just how sharp she was. She had dissected the Ashford Group’s internal structure with brutal accuracy. She wasn’t wrong. His father had originally given him full control, but ever since Olivia’s return, things had shifted. The so-called policy changes were merely a cover—his authority had been quietly stripped away.
Stephanie smirked. “Oh, so you don’t have the money? Then that means you’re asking for my help? And with that attitude?”
Chris clenched his jaw. Asking her for help? Who did she think she was?
“I just need you to introduce me to him.” He’d already encountered this man two or three times, each meeting ending badly. But now, he had to meet him.
Stephanie tilted her head. “Still sounds like asking for a favor. And this is how you ask?”
Chris was silent. Stephanie casually took a sip of water just as Sebastian pushed open the door. He immediately noticed the mischievous glint in her eyes. “This little troublemaker—what’s she up to now?”
Whatever Chris said, Stephanie didn’t care. She simply replied, “Begging me won’t work. Whoever wants to stay here can come ask themselves.” With that, she hung up. Chris wasn’t her problem anymore.
She turned as Sebastian entered, carrying a plate of freshly cut fruit, the vibrant red flesh looking particularly tempting. Stephanie swung her legs off the bed as Sebastian placed the plate on the nightstand. He reached out, pressing a hand to her forehead. “No fever.”
She smirked. “What, you think I’m like you? Drunk and running a fever?”
Sebastian chuckled. “Who was that on the phone just now?”
“Chris.”
His smile faded instantly. “What does he want now?”
Stephanie casually speared a piece of fruit with her fork. “He figured out you’re the owner here and wants me to introduce him to you—ow!” She winced as her teeth hit a seed.
Without thinking, Sebastian instinctively reached out, just as he used to when they were children, always ready to help when she choked. Stephanie hesitated, then quickly headed for the bathroom.
When she returned, she shot him a glare. “Why do you even like this fruit? The seeds are way too hard. Nearly broke a tooth.”
It was guava—Sebastian’s favorite. Stephanie, however, could never quite enjoy it.
Sebastian chuckled. “You can’t be picky.”