Chapter 200

Stephanie kept glaring at him, her eyes blazing with defiance.

Richard tapped her forehead lightly with his knuckles. “Have I been too lenient with you before?”

‘He’s got some nerve, she thought, her anger boiling over. ‘He’s the one without a shred of decency

Richard’s voice was a low, menacing command. “Talk.”

Stephanie’s lips pursed into a tight line, her eyes flickering with irritation.

One glance at her expression told Richard she was thinking of sinking her teeth into him again.

They’d grown up together, but he’d never realized how sharp her teeth were. The marks on his neck and hand were still fresh, and there was even an indentation on his wrist.

“I said, talk,” Richard growled, his grip tightening. “Are you deaf?”

But Stephanie’s eyes were a challenge, almost mocking him. His threats seemed to bounce off her, only fueling her own defiance. She could see his anger simmering, and it only made her curse him inwardly.

‘Damn it, Richard muttered inwardly, ‘If you’ve got something to say, say it to my face. He then said with anger, tapping her head with the butt of his gun, “Have you heard me? I said, talk to me.”

Stephanie’s patience snapped. “What do you want me to say?” she snapped back, wondering what on earth he wanted to

hear.

Richard’s eyes flashed with anger. “Didn’t I tell you what it is?”

Stephanie rolled her eyes, feeling a mix of ang

and disbelief. ‘He’s seriously out of his mind,’ she thought.

Her eyes were darting around, and Richard could tell she was cursing him in her head again. He was so pissed off that he grabbed her by the throat. “Tell me,” he snapped, his voice low and tight. “What the hell are you thinking?”

“I think you’re a bit off your rocker,” she said.

Richard’s eyes narrowed. Clearly, she was seriously pushing it. He warned, his tone low and menacing, “Think I won’t snap your neck right here?”

“Then you’d better be ready to go down with me,” Stephanie shot back. She wasn’t afraid of him–or death. In fact, Richard was the one who feared it more. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been hiding all these years, running off to Paginara like a coward.

She remembered a lesson Sofia had taught her years ago: In a dangerous situation, fear of death leads to a loss of composure and reluctance to take risks. If enemies perceive this fear, they have already gained the upper hand.

“Great,” Richard said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “You’re brave. Now tell me, did Bernie hand it over to your dear brother?” He emphasized the word “brother,” as if trying to remind her of her once connection to Sebastian.

Stephanie’s glare was unyielding. “I don’t know,” she said.

Richard wasn’t buying it. “You and Sebastian are inseparable. How could you not know?”

don’t know,”

neck tightened again, and for a

Chapter 200

them reached a breaking point, there

Stephanie’s voice pierced

before she could finish, Richard clamped a hand

squirmed, but just as suddenly, a voice from outside the door shattered the tension.

hand slipped away from her mouth, but he made a half–hearted motion

instead of striking her, Richard yanked her away from the door and flung it

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Stephanie. “How is she here? Are you out of your mind? You

This was Sebastian’s territory, and Sebastian was on the cruise. Every step felt like walking on thin

Theodore a glare. “You’re so

at Shallow Bay, we managed to get her out of there, but this time… well, I

as fearless as you. You don’t even care about your

mind raced. ‘So they even think

cold gaze fell on Theodore. “Do I really have to run?”

little princess here. Not running away? Don’t tell me you’re planning to send her back. Listen, it’s me or Stephanie.

love rivals would say Before Richard could kick Theodore out, Stephanie jumped up, her face flushed with anger. “I’m telling you all, I’m not

turned to look at

score about the dog yet. My leg was nearly broken;

break? You should’ve got what you

Now you want to get Richard killed too? If Sebastian finds

on purpose,” Stephanie retorted, not a pushover at all. “If anyone deserves

Theodore was furious.

him by the back of his collar, and

a bang, leaving Stephanie and Richard alone once

Chapter 200

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expression hardening as his eyes fell on the red marks on her neck. His entire

because you say so? What kind of person says that without thinking twice? Don’t

and he grabbed her roughly, dragging her toward the bathroom.

you jerk!” Stephanie fought back with everything

her into the bathtub, the cold porcelain jarring against her back. He pointed the showerhead at her, ready to turn on

shouted, “Richard, you jerk! Don’t you

the shower, dousing her in cold water. His rough fingers scrubbed at the marks on her neck, as if

lunged for the showerhead, yanked it from his grasp, and with all

head rang with the impact, the pain sharp and intense. He gritted his

woman…

the years. His head throbbed as if she’d hit him with a hammer. She was ruthless, trying to knock him out. Enraged,

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