On

Chapter 21 

Stephanie stayed firm, her words sharp and biting. 

Chris, frustrated, took another drag from his cigarette. 

He seemed to hit a wall, finally asking. “Then what do you suggest? What should I do?” 

In his mind, he’d done everything he could–what more did she want? 

All he needed was for Allison to come back. With her, Olivia had a shot. 

Stephanie, cool as ever, replied, “Don’t bring up the wedding again. It’s over between us.” 

“Chris, you” Grace snapped, clearly annoyed. Chris froze, the ash falling from his cigarette onto his hand. “Why do you have to… 

The words “It’s over” hit him harder than anything else. 

He couldn’t wrap his head around it–With her financial problems, why did she think she could just walk away from him? 

Seeing the shock on his face, Stephanie sneered. “Forget about Allison too. If you can get her back to treat Olivia, then go ahead. You’re rich, you’re capable, you don’t need me, right?” 

Her words mixed sarcasm with an uncomfortable truth. 

Chris‘ face twisted with anger at the mocking tone in her voice. 

If money and power could fix things with Allison, he wouldn’t be begging Stephanie for help. 

He’d used all his connections, but they’d all shut him down. 

In fact, he’d already reached out to Allison, and she had flat–out refused. 

And, the man behind Allison was making it impossible for Chris to force her into anything. 

Chris‘ expression turned to pure frustration. 

Stephanie didn’t even look at his annoyed expression. She asked, bluntly, “Anything else? If not, take me to Eastview Tower.” 

Finding a cab around here wasn’t exactly easy. Since Chris had sent Kevin off with her car, he was now stuck driving her. 

Chris paused, like a lightbulb had just gone off. He raised an eyebrow. “What’s at Eastview Tower? Got an interview? Looking for a job as a backup?” 

Stephanie didn’t even flinch. Her voice was flat. “None of your business.” 

Her tone was sharper this time, cutting through the tension in the car. 

Chris blinked, caught off guard. Frustration simmered in him, but he couldn’t figure out how to let it out. 

Stephanie had really changed–she wasn’t the same passive girl he remembered. 

Now, she was bold, completely rebellious. In that moment, Chris had this urge to teach her a lesson, to make her fall in line. 

But before he could say anything, his phone rang. 

It was Olivia. Chris glanced at Stephanie, hesitated for a second, then picked up the call. 

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Chapter 21 

His voice softened as he answered, “Olivia, you awake?* 

“Chris, I feel terrible.” Olivia’s weak, distressed voice came through the phone, making Chris‘ chest tighten. 

His gaze flicked to Stephanie again, and his irritation shifted toward her, but there was also something else underneath it- concern for Olivia. 

“Don’t worry, call the doctor,” he said gently. 

Olivia let out a faint, tired “Mm,” almost inaudible. “The doctor said this is how I feel now. Feeling terrible is normal.” 

Chris frowned. “Did they give you any medicine?” 

Olivia coughed a couple of times, sounding fragile. “No, they said I’ve had enough medication.” 

Chris paused for a moment, considering. He could understand why the doctor had decided not to prescribe more–she had been on so many meds already, probably needing them every half hour. 

If they added more, she’d be rattling like a maraca with every step. 

Chris‘ worry grew even deeper. “I’m coming over right now.” 

“No, it’s okay,” Olivia immediately responded. “If you’re busy, don’t worry about it.” 

Chris glanced over at Stephanie, almost absently. “Not too busy.” 

Stephanie curled her lip. She knew that was the answer he’d give. 

When Chris hung up, a mocking smile slid onto Stephanie’s face. 

Chris, catching the look on her face, felt his irritation flare up again. His patience was wearing thin, both with Olivia’s condition and Stephanie’s attitude. 

“Take a cab,” he muttered to Stephanie. 

Stephanie couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh? Am I imagining things? Didn’t you just say you wouldn’t see her anymore?” 

But here he was, eager to run to Olivia’s side, even kicking her out of the car. 

It was clear–Olivia had him wrapped around her finger. One phone call, and he was ready to drop everything and run. 

Chris‘ face darkened, his temper rising. He shoved the black card back toward her. “Take it. Go get a cab.” 

It was clear he expected her to just accept it without another word.. 

Stephanie grabbed the card, shoving it into her bag. But she didn’t budge. She wasn’t going anywhere unless he drove her. 

She remained icy, staring straight ahead. “You’re driving me there.” 

The cold air outside matched the frostiness in the car, and besides, it had been Chris‘ idea to give her a ride in the first place. 

Chris sat there for a moment, his fingers drumming impatiently on the steering wheel. She’d taken the card but wasn’t leaving. 

What was he supposed to do next? Chris wondered. 

Frustration boiled inside him, his head pounding with stress. 

After a long, tense pause, Chris finally gave in. He started the car, pulling away and heading toward Eastview Tower. 

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09:24 Mon, 3 Mar 

Chapter 21 

As Stephanie stepped out of the car, Chris couldn’t help but throw one last parting shot. 

“You better think about the wedding carefully,” he said, his voice low and threatening. “If you really cause your family any losses, you’ll have no support left. If you offend them, don’t even think about finding a job in this city.” 

Stephanie raised an eyebrow, her expression completely unimpressed. 

She couldn’t believe he was still this stupid–still trying to pull that same old power play. 

Her eyes were cold, but she didn’t flinch as she locked her gaze with his. 

Slowly, she spoke, each word deliberate, “If I cancel the wedding, you’ll be with Olivia. And when that happens, any losses the Hart family suffers will be your problem, not mine.” 

Chris shot back, his tone firm, “I’ll deal with it, but you’ll have to face the consequences of your actions.” 

Stephanie could tell it was all just bluster–he was bluffing. She knew exactly how the Hart family worked. They’d find a way to make her pay, no matter how much they pretended to care about anything else. 

Stephanie snorted, a smile playing at the corners of her lips as she laid it on thick. “Hurry up and get to the hospital. This could be the last time you see her.” 

Olivia’s condition could turn for the worse at any moment, and Stephanie knew that was the one thing Chris couldn’t ignore. 

Chris felt a stab of helplessness at her words, but he quickly buried it. 

Inside, he cursed himself, but on the outside, he kept his composure. He couldn’t lose his cool–not when he still needed to get through to her about the wedding. 

His frustration bubbled up, raw and unrelenting. It was so intense, it felt like his teeth might crack from the pressure. 

He didn’t want to keep arguing–he was afraid that if he did, it would be his stress that would kill him first. 

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