Vengeance With My White Knight by Maya Kensington

Chapter 182 +53) Richard was drained from evading Sebastian's chase, having used up every ounce of his energy. After a full day on the run, he finally made it back to Valdusso in Paginara.

He grabbed the coat from his subordinate and tossed it to Stephanie. "Put this on," he said. When he'd pulled her out, she was still in her loungewear, which had gotten all wrinkled during the escape.

Stephanie gave him a glare that could've melted steel.

Richard rolled his eyes. "Who do you think you're messing with? I'm not gonna baby you like Sebastian does. Put it on, now." As soon as he finished speaking, Stephanie grabbed the coat and threw it over his head, covering him completely.

In the dark, Richard yanked off his coat, frustration twisting his face. "Damn it," he said, shaking it out. "With that attitude, you must've gotten into big trouble in Long Harbor." While most people knew how to handle trouble, Stephanie's stubbornness could easily annoy others, making them blher for everything just to give her a hard time.

"Why do you care?" Stephanie demanded, her voice tinged with frustration. “Just givemy phone back." She'd been dying to call Sebastian all day, but she didn't have her phone.

Richard looked at her, his face serious. "You're askingfor your phone?" "Who else would I ask?" Stephanie snapped, clearly upset.

"Did you bring your phone?" Richard asked.

Stephanie's face froze. A memory flashed through her mind of smashing her phone earlier. She realized she'd really left it behind.

"Remember now?" Richard said, his tone carrying a hint of amusement.

"Then why didn't you pick it up for me?" she shot back.

Richard was momentarily speechless by her logic. "If I'd been a second slower, Sebastian would've caught me. And you wantto pick up your phone? Stephanie, what are you thinking? Has Sebastian spoiled you so much that you're being so willful?" "Yeah, I'm willful. So what? If you're annoyed, why don't you just sendback?" Stephanie said, her voice dripping with attitude.

Richard's eyes narrowed. He knew Stephanie was trying to provoke him, hoping he'd give in and send her back. "Hmph, keep dreaming," he grumbled.

"Fine, fine," Stephanie said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She said it twice, making Richard's irritation spike. He knew Sebastian had spoiled her rotten, and it was driving him up the wall. "Look, don't push it," he warned, his tone edged with frustration.

"I've been holding back a lot of anger for years, and I'm not in the mood to deal with your crap." With that, he turned and walked away, shaking his head.

He'd been traveling for five days, trying to get Stephanie away from Sebastian. Every night, he barely got an hour of sleep. Now that he was finally back in Paginara, all he wanted was to crash.

After a hot shower, Richard lay down, exhausted. But just as he was about to drift off, a loud "boom" shook the villa.

1/4 Chapter 182 Richard, always on edge, shot up and leaped out the window. There he sew Scaphumin, sending in the yard with a ge grin, while the villa's staff looked horrified After everyone had calmed down, they ruhed to pest out the fore The butler spotted Richard and hurried over, calling out, "Mr. Catalini He then a recent plance at Berghatte Richard got the message loud and clear. He squinted at Stephanie and said, "Thd you do this The kitchen had blown up, and it looked like a gas leak was the cane. No one was sore how Berghatie had done's Stephanie smirked. “I didn't mean it, you know. I just wanted to make sfood for my face the uh, bajag out the word "fiancé The butler just stared, thinking, "Who's the poor soul stuck eating her food? Richard's anger was boiling over. He glared at Stephanie, so furious that he pulled out a gum and pined it aber forécé "Are you seriously trying to throw your life away over this? Richard's neck was still bandaged, and his shoulder and hands were wrapped too. He saw Stephanie's eyes darting arond studying him, and he snapped, "What are you looking at?” "Just deciding where to bite first, Stephanie said, her teeth clenched like she was ready to tear into Richards din Richard's anger flared. He couldn't believe she was pushing him this far. He dropped the gun he was holding, afraid i might go off in his rage.

Richard seized Stephanie by the chin. "Don't pushany further, he growled. His fury was uncontrollable, driven by a need to teach her a lesson.

Before he could finish, Stephanie bit down on his wrist.

"Ouch!" Richard yanked his arm back. "Are you skind of animal?" he snapped, wincing On the way back, Richard had been on high alert, bracing for her inevitable retaliation. But in a moment of lapse, she still managed to bite him. This time, Stephanie's frustration had built up, and she actually drew blood.

The butler stood there, stunned into silence as Stephanie spat the piece of flesh onto the grass.

Richard stared at the bloody mess, then at his bleeding wrist, his face darkening His fury was boiling over. "Stephanie,” he said through gritted teeth, "I'm gonna knock out your teeth one by one." He felt like he'd be a pushover if he didn't teach her a lesson.

But just then, Richard's phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, irritation flashing across his face. It was Sebastian.

On their way back, they'd turned off every device that could give off a signal, including their phones, to avoid being tracked by Sebastian. It was how they'd managed to slip away undetected.

Richard had just switched his phone back on, and the call cthrough. As he thought about how much Sebastian cared for Stephanie and what they'd done in Long Harbor, his eyes turned cold as ice. He looked like a betrayed lion, ready to pounce.

Richard glanced sharply at Stephanie before answering the call. "Sebastian, have you thought this through? Is Stephanie really worth it?" Sebastian's voice was steady. "If she loses even a hair, Richard, Valentina's coming back to you in pieces." Richard let out a harsh laugh. She hadn't lost any hair, but he was definitely missing sskin. "You think you can use Valentina to scare me? Letbe clear. She means nothing tohere." 2/4 09:34 Thu, 20 Mar Chapter 182 Stephanie's eyes narrowed as she looked at him. What was he saying? She's his own sister. Can't believe how ruthless people. could be. Looks like the Hart family isn't the only one with scumbags, she thought to herself.

"My patience is running out, Sebastian. For the sake of what we used to have, I'm hoping you'll make this easier, Richard said, his voice tight.

"Over the past two years, you've bleddry," he added, his tone turning more intense. "If you keep pushing, I'll make Stephanie mine right now."

Stephanie looked at him, her eye twitching involuntarily. 'Has two years of being hunted by Sebastian finally unhinged him? Why is he still talking about the past? Are there even any good memories left to hold on to? Over the phone, Sebastian's voice cthrough, low and threatening. “Just try me." Richard shook his head. "Anyway, all I've got left is this worthless life, so don't push me,” he said before hanging up abruptly.

Frustrated, Richard threw the phone onto the lawn, lit a cigarette, and took a long drag. He glanced back at Stephanie, the wild look still in his eyes.

He sneered at Stephanie's stunned expression. "What? Are you scared?" Sca Stephanie found his words a bit amusing. 'Scared? Not really. I just think he is pathetic. Sebastian has pushed him to this, she thought.

"Answer me," Richard snapped.

"What do you wantto say?" she cut in.

"Tellif you're afraid of me," Richard said, his voice edged with a challenge.

"Yeah, I'm terrified to death," Stephanie replied, figuring it would feed his ego.

But the next moment, Richard burst into laughter. The way he laughed, ed with that twisted look on his face, was unsettling. Given how Sebastian had probably been tormenting him for the past two years, Stephanie wasn't surprised. "I've never really understood why you had to make such a big deal with him," she said, shrugging. She was sure Richard knew exactly what kind of person Sebastian was since they grew up together.

"And I remember you and your sister Valentina weren't really close anyway," she continued.

'Why did he go through all that trouble just to help Valentina take Mom and Sofia away back then? By doing so, he gave Valentina the perfect excuse to push him out. I really don't understand,' she thought.

Richard's eyes narrowed. The mention of Valentina made his gaze turn cold, "If you're clueless, that's cold, "If you're one thing," he said, his voice low and tense. "But Sebastian's no better-it drivescrazy." Stephanie's eyes widened in confusion. She'd only asked a question, and she couldn't figure out what she'd messed up this time.

Richard didn't want to deal with her. He turned to leave, but Stephanie shouted after him, "You'd better sendback!" "Not happening," Richard said without looking back.

Stephanie gritted her teeth. “Oh, really? Fine. Let's see if he changes his mind later,” she muttered to herself.

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