Chapter 88 

As a child, even if she got a mosquito bite, Sebastian would grill the hoo staff for hours. If he started questioning her now. she truly had no idea how she was supposed to answer. 

Seeing her remain frozen in place, Sebastian raised an eyebrow. “What? Do I have to go over there and carry pone 

“I–I’m just not hungry,” Stephanie stammered. 

The moment she finished speaking, Sebastian stood up from his chair and strode toward her with long, determined steps. 

Before Stephanie could even process what was happening, he was already in front of her 

In one swift motion, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her toward the dining table. 

“Hey!” Stephanie gasped, her face turning red beneath the mask. “Put me down! I can walk on my cent 

Sebastian glanced down at her. “Now you suddenly remember how to listen? I thought after all these years away, yould gotten too rebellious to be handled” 

Stephanie’s face burned even hotter. Rebellious? Okay, fine… I guest to Sebastian and Mom, me leaving home mat ve seemed like some kind of rebellion, she wondered. 

Sebastian carried her straight to the dining table and set her down in a chair. “Take off the mask 

This time, Stephanie didn’t dare disobey. She quickly pulled the mask off her face. 

Sebastian, seated directly across from her, immediately caught sight of her swollen lips. 

His brows furrowed. “What happened to your mouth?” 

The moment the words left his mouth, they both recalled last night’s events at the same time. 

Sebastian’s gaze deepened, while Stephanie’s lips twitched awkwardly. 

‘See? I knew it. I knew he’d ask, she wondered. 

“I… I don’t know,” she lied, not daring to tell him that he was the one responsible. 

‘What if he doesn’t remember what happened last night? That’d be absolutely mortifying she thought. 

“You don’t know?” His eyes darkened even more. 

Stephanie smacked her lips together and blurted out, “I really don’t! Maybe a bug bit me.” 

The air in the dining room suddenly turned thick with an indescribable tension. 

Stephanie didn’t dare meet Sebastian’s gaze. 

Sebastian, on the other hand, leaned forward slightly, his voice laced with meaning. “And do you hate that bug?” 

“Huh?” Stephanie blinked in confusion. Why does it feel like he’s not really asking about the bug?” she wondered. 

She lifted her head to meet his gaze but found nothing readable in his expression. 

“I… I do. I hate it,” she stammered, quickly lowering her head again. In a fluster, she grabbed her bowl of oatmeal and started eating, desperate to escape the conversation. 

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05:59 Thu, 6 Mar 

Chapter 88 

What she didn’t realize was that her face was now an even deeper shade of red. 

Sebastian watched her, amusement and affection softening his gaze. 

Stephanie barely managed to finish her breakfast before practically bolting from the dining room, her retreating figure making it obvious she was fleeing. 

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Just as she was leaving, Macro entered from outside, crossing paths with her. He caught a glimpse of her flushed face and immediately turned to Sebastian. “What did you say to her? It’s carly in the morning, and you’ve already managed to make her blush so badly?” 

Sebastian shot him a knowing look, his gaze deep and unreadable. “Do you really want to know?” 

Macro felt an inexplicable chill run down his spine. He swallowed hard. “N–Nope. Not at all.” 

Sebastian took a sip of his milk, unfazed. 

Meanwhile, Macro plopped down in the chair Stephanie had just vacated and waved to a nearby housekeeper. “Set another place for me. I haven’t eaten yet.” 

Sebastian’s voice was calm but firm. “Get up. Sit somewhere else.” 

“Huh? What do you mean?” Macro asked, bewildered. 

Sebastian shot him a glance. “Unless you want to eat outside with the dogs, I suggest you move.” 

Macro immediately jumped up. 

Sebastian wasn’t one to bluff; if he said it, he meant it. 

Without hesitation, Macro switched to another seat. “So what? That seat belongs to Stefi or something?” 

“Yes,” Sebastian answered without hesitation. 

Macro blinked in surprise. ‘Yep. He spoils her the most, no doubt about it. All I did was sit at the dining table. It’s not like I was trying to take Stephanie’s place. Did he really have to be that serious about it?‘ Macro thought to himself. 

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AD