Chapter 59

“It’s nothing serious, Mr. Giovanni,” Jackson sighed, attempting to change the subject. “Lilian doesn’t know how to behave. Let’s head back and finish the contract…”

“Mr. Hodge,” Sebastian interrupted, “if you can’t manage your own family, we need to reconsider this collaboration.”

Jackson froze. He couldn’t understand the relevance of his family drama to the business deal. Before he could react, Sebastian was already descending the stairs, leaving Jackson bewildered.

The ambulance arrived shortly afterward, transporting Tyler. Lilian prepared to follow. Jackson grabbed her arm. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“Tyler was beaten up by Stephanie! I’m going to the hospital with him,” Lilian replied. As Tyler’s girlfriend, she felt entitled to accompany him. But Jackson despised Lilian and the Hart family. He found Olivia superficial and couldn’t comprehend Lilian's association with them. Now that Tyler was injured, he suspected Stephanie had finally lost her temper.

Seeing Lilian’s hasty departure, Jackson’s anger flared. “Where do you think you’re going?” he yelled. “Go back to your room! You’re embarrassing the family!”

“What are you talking about?” Lilian retorted. “Let go of me!”

Jackson sighed and addressed the butler, “Derek, take Lilian to her room.”

The butler promptly obeyed. Lilian panicked, realizing Jackson was serious. “What are you doing?” she protested, refusing to leave for the hospital.

Jackson gave her a warning glare. “We’ll talk later.” He then stormed out, leaving Lilian furious. Sebastian had finally agreed to meet—now Lilian was ruining everything. Jackson was enraged. Behind him, chaos erupted. Worried about Jackson’s temper, Derek had Lilian forcibly escorted upstairs.

Inside the car, tension was palpable. Sebastian’s expression was stormy; Stephanie sat silently, hesitant to speak.

“Did they bully you?” Sebastian asked, glancing at her.

“No, they didn’t,” Stephanie replied, shaking her head.

Macro quickly added, “I can vouch for her. She wasn’t bullied.”

After all, who would dare bully Stephanie? The woman was capable of sending someone to the hospital. But Sebastian’s grim expression remained until both his and Stephanie’s phones rang simultaneously—one from Ella, the other from Jackson.

“Hey Ella,” Stephanie answered.

“Stefi, are you okay?” Ella asked, her voice filled with concern. She wondered how Stephanie had ended up leaving with Macro, an internationally famous figure far more prominent than Allison. How did Stephanie know him?

“No worries, I’ll take you for some Mexican food tomorrow,” Stephanie said quickly, ending the call. “I need to go now.”

Sebastian, however, ignored his call. Hearing Stephanie mention dinner, his face darkened. Jackson called again; Sebastian immediately hung up and blocked the number.

“I really wasn’t bullied. Can you stop looking at me like that?” Stephanie muttered.

Sebastian’s voice was icy. “Really?”

“Really,” Stephanie insisted.

Sebastian let out a frustrated sound. “Is this how you’ve been handling things all these years?”

Stephanie fell silent. His words struck a chord. He was right. People always said you had to endure hardship to gain love and support. She pondered that perhaps her unpopularity stemmed from her unwillingness to be pushed around.