apter 22
Chapter 22
Chris gunned the engine, rage building inside him.
Stephanie shot a quick glance at the luxury mall across the street. She pulled out her phone, and dialed Jennifer.
“The meeting’s pushed back two hours,” she said, her voice tight with purpose.
Jennifer picked up instantly. “Got it.”
After hanging up, Jennifer was off, spreading the words.
Stephanie wasted no time. She stormed into the mall, no hesitation, no second thoughts.
For the next two hours, she treated herself to everything she could find–jewelry, cosmetics, designer bags–anything that screamed expensive.
Meanwhile, Chris was speeding down the road, heading straight to the hospital where Olivia was.
His phone buzzed over and over, each vibration a new purchase notification.
He didn’t even bother looking at the screen, but every time, it was the same–thousands of dollars spent.
He let out a sharp laugh, bitter and scornful. “She said she didn’t need money? Yeah, right.”
It was obvious what was going on. Stephanie had barely gotten her card back and she was already on a full–on shopping
spree.
Chris shook his head, a bitter smile playing at the corners of his mouth. She always acted like she was above it all, but the second money was involved, all that pride went out the window.
Chris shook his head, a bitter smile playing at the corners of his mouth. She always acted like she was above it all, but the second money was involved, all that pride went out the window.
Kevin approached, standing at attention. “Sir.”
Chris silenced his phone, glancing up. “Did you drive her car back?”
“Yes, sir.” Kevin nodded.
Chris started toward Olivia’s office but paused, as if remembering something
He turned to Kevin, his voice low but firm. “She’s been hunting for a job, reaching out to everyone. Make sure no one hires her.”
Kevin blinked, thrown off guard.
+13)
He wasn’t sure he heard him right but didn’t dare ask directly. Instead, he hesitated for a beat before asking, “She still doesn’t want the wedding?”
The word still hit Chris like a punch to the gut.
He clenched his jaw. Yeah, it was true. Yesterday, Stephanie had messaged Ella, pulling the plug on the wedding. He was the one who got dumped.
Thinking about how she’d thrown him aside so easily had Chris grinding his teeth. He scoffed, shaking his head. “She will”
“A week” he added, “That’s all it will take for her to realize she can’t survive on her own.”
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09:24 Mon, 3 Mar
Chapter 22
“A week,” he added, “That’s all it will take for her to realize she can’t survive on her own.”
He stepped into Olivia’s room. Catlin stood up when she saw him, her eyes wide with concern.
“Chris, do you think Dr. Pierce will be coming back?” Catlin asked, her voice full of worry.
Chris let out a breath. “I’m handling it. Don’t worry.”
Catlin could tell from his tone that nothing was resolved.
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She hesitated before asking. “Wait, I just remembered–Dr. Pierce is Stefi’s best friend, right? Do you think Dr. Pierce’s trip abroad maybe has something to do with her?”
Chris blinked, a little caught off guard.
It wasn’t just a maybe–it was definitely true.
Olivia gave him a pleading look, and for a second, his frustration with Stephanie flared up again.
But looking at Olivia, fragile and vulnerable in that bed, he knew he couldn’t let Stephanie keep acting like this.
His phone buzzed again.
The notifications kept rolling in. It used to be rare for him to get this many messages in a whole month, but now they just kept coming.
He glanced down, hoping for something else, something different–but nope. More alerts about Stephanie’s spending.
The amounts were getting ridiculous. What had started as a couple thousand was now tens of thousands.
He couldn’t help but wonder what exactly she was buying.
He hadn’t realized just how materialistic she was, how money–hungry.
A soft voice interrupted his thoughts. “Chris, Chris?”
“Huh? What?” Chris snapped, turning toward Olivia.
Her eyes were filled with sadness, a hint of concern. “I’m asking… is Dr. Pierce really Stefi’s best friend?”
Chris nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. “Yeah, she is.”
Olivia and Catlin exchanged a quick, knowing look. Neither of them needed to say anything more; they both understood the weight of it all.
Catlin’s breath hitched. “So… Dr. Pierce’s trip abroad… Was it really her doing? No, how could she be so cruel?”
The second Catlin heard that Dr. Pierce was Stephanie’s best friend, everything clicked–Stephanie had to be behind all of
- it.
Olivia’s eyes filled with tears, the weight of it all settling heavily on her.
Her voice dropped, full of sorrow. “It seems like she still thinks I was behind her accident. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be doing this to me.”
Mentioning the accident darkened both Chris and Catlin’s faces instantly.
Before Chris could respond, his phone buzzed twice, back–to–back.
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Chapter V
He glanced at the screen–more spending alerts from Stephanie, just like he’d expected.
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Chris clenched his jaw, barely holding himself together. How can the be this shallow? Her purchases has to he over a million by now
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