Chapter 194

Hearing the words "romantic relationship," Chris's expression darkened. "You really think someone like him would be interested in her?" he scoffed. Kevin hesitated. But considering how well Stephanie's studio was doing, she clearly wasn't just some nobody. At her age, what she'd built was impressive. And the Harts had no clue about the studio—let alone its funding. Kevin knew exactly how much they gave her each month, and it wasn't nearly enough to support such an enterprise.

Chris's voice turned cold. "Figure out who that man really is. Fast." Everyone knew the owner of Shallow Bay Area wasn't ordinary, but no one had ever uncovered his identity. And now Stephanie had somehow gotten close to him. She sure had a way of making things work in her favor.

By the time Chris got home, he barely had time to react before something flew at him. Thud! It struck him, of all places, right where he'd been injured earlier that day. Sharp pain shot through him instantly. Christian was furious. Grace, ever siding with her son, looked furious as she glared at him.

Chris took a deep breath and said coldly, "I already told you, before they review the contract tomorrow, they'll meet the Lucanos heir." His voice was laced with irritation; he was clearly fed up with Fred's repeated outbursts.

Fred snapped, "Meet him? You've already angered him; what, you think he's still willing to see you?"

Chris's eyes narrowed. "And when exactly did I offend him?" He hadn't even met the man—how could he have offended him?

Fred scoffed. "Oh, really? Then why did he tell me to keep you in check?"

Chris's face darkened. "He said that?" What the hell was this Lucanos heir playing at? Since when did he care about someone else's family drama?

None of it made sense. For a brief moment, confusion flickered in Chris's eyes. But that only made Fred, already fuming, even angrier. "The assistant just got back to us," Fred snapped. "And his exact words? 'Ask me to keep you under control.'"

Chris fell silent. "You still wanna say you didn't anger him?"

"I've never even met him!"

Fred grabbed the nearest ashtray and hurled it at Chris. "Then explain why he's saying this!" Chris dodged just in time. The ashtray slammed against the door behind him with a heavy thud, leaving a deep dent. If it had hit him, there would definitely have been blood.

Tension crackled between them, anger bouncing back and forth. Chris clenched his jaw. "I'm telling you, I've never met the guy!" This was seriously getting out of hand. He hadn't even met the man. How could he have offended him? And finding him was like chasing a ghost. Lately, everything felt like a struggle. Frustration burned in his chest.

Fred was still fuming. "You sure about that?"

"I swear I haven't met him!" Chris shot back, equally frustrated.

Watching them, Grace finally lost her patience. "Enough. You're telling me you really never met him?"

Chris nodded. "Never."

Fred narrowed his eyes. "Then how exactly did you manage to anger him?"

Both Chris and Grace froze for a second.