Chapter 26 Stephanie had planned to take Sebastian to the hotel , but instead , he had her pinned against his side . She couldnt figure out how to tell Elliot where to drive . By the time Sebastian finally let go of her , they were already pulling into the parking garage at Cloudridge Valley . She was caught off guard . You know I live here ? she asked , glancing at him . Shed used his card yesterday , which mustve given away her details , and now here he was . Stephanie figured hed probably done some digging into her life over the last three years . Elliot , still behind the wheel , spoke up . Its easy for him to find out anything . Its just that youve kept it so well hidden all this time . We never knew youd move to another country . Stephanies nerves flared , and she didnt know how to respond . Elliot added , You even found your real family … Well … anyway , hes really pissed ! The last part , really pissed , made her stomach drop . She quickly glanced at Sebastian , who was already standing outside the car . Without wasting a second , she jumped out . The elevator ride was silent , tension thick in the air . They headed straight for her place . As she was about to grab slippers for Sebastian , she opened the shoe cabinet . There , among her own slippers , was a pair of mens slippers that clearly had been worn . A cold shiver ran down her spine . She hurriedly grabbed a brand new pair she hadnt worn yet , offering them to Sebastian . Why dont you wear these for now ? she said , holding out a pair of pink slippers with little rabbit designs . Sebastians eyes narrowed slightly , his cold energy intensifying . Already learned how to serve others ? he teased , his voice dark . Stephanie was taken aback . She froze , bitterness suddenly filling her chest . She stood up straight and gave him a pitiful look . You already know ? Sebastian chuckled softly , slipping the slippers on . They were too small for him , but he said nothing . Instead , he walked into the apartment and looked around , his gaze growing darker with each passing second . Finally , he turned back to her . The Hart family is pretty well known in Long Harbor . This is where theyve put you ? Just hearing the mention of the Hart family made Stephanie tense up . She pouted , avoiding his eyes . This isnt from the Hart family , she muttered . Sebastian froze and stared at her . Stephanie shrugged , then admitted , I bought it with your money . His expression twitched . Things were worse than hed thought . 1/3 092 Mon , 3 Chapter 26 But when she said with your money , something in his icy demeanor seemed to soften just a little . He walked over to the couch , tossed his coat over the back . Then he removed his scarf , still scanning the room . Then he asked , Why didnt you buy something bigger ? Its big enough . Its 1,500 square feet . Enough for me , she answered . Sebastian looked around , unimpressed . To him , it was tiny . Back in Fiorenza , even her smallest house had been over 5,000 square feet . When she lived with the Giovanni family , their manor was so big she couldnt finish walking around it in an hour . Sebastian paused , his eyes narrowing . Come here . His voice had a sharp edge to it . Stephanie hesitated , but she stepped forward , stopping about a meter away from him , careful not to get too close . But Sebastian reached out with a long arm and pulled her into his embrace , just like he had in the car . Sebastian ! she gasped , her voice shaky . His voice was low , almost a growl , as he spoke from above her head . Youve got five minutes . Stephanies breath caught , panic flashing in her eyes . Her heart skipped a beat . Five minutes . She knew exactly what that meant . Three years ago , she had walked out without a word , right in the middle of the chaos within the Giovanni family . Even though she physically left , there was a saying circulating in Fiorenzas high society : An adopted daughters never truly of the soil . And that was Stephanie they were talking about . Rumor had it that when everything fell apart for Mr. Giovanni , and Sebastian was at his lowest , she had abandoned the family . Instead of answering , Stephanie turned the question back on him . The Casalini family , how are they doing ? For the past three years , she had kept a close watch on everything happening in Fiorenza . The Casalini family had once held her fate in their hands . However , for the last year , there hadnt been a single word about them . Shed tried to dig up information through her contacts , but every lead had been a dead end . Now , she directly asked Sebastian . But the moment the words left her mouth , she saw the coldness in his eyes . His grip on her chin tightened just slightly . With their faces so close now , she could feel the heat of his breath on her cheek warm , but with an undeniable edge of danger . Stephanie swallowed hard . Sebastian … He tilted his head slightly and asked , Are you asking about the Casalini family , or about Richard Casalini ? 2/3 13 Chapter 26 The moment she heard Richard , a sharp tremor ran through her chest . She muttered , 1 … Noticing her body stiffen , Sebastians gaze sharpened . Stephanie forced herself to steady her breath and replied , I dont care about him . That seemed to satisfy him , and he replied , The Casalini familys been gone for a year now . Is that answer good enough for you ? Stephanie froze . Gone that meant Sebastian had completely dismantled the Casalini family . The weight that had been pressing on her chest since shed first asked about them lifted in that instant . She hesitated , then asked quietly , What about the people from the Casalini family now ? Do you really want to know ? Sebastians voice had grown even colder , more dangerous . Stephanie shook her head . As long as they cant post threats on you anymore , thats all that matters . With those words , the burden that had hung over her for the last three years finally disappeared . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!