Chapter 39
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Tyler scoffed, “Even if you wanted to see Chris, this wasn’t the way to do it. The Hodge family didn’t invite you.”
In fact, he had personally made sure Stephanie wasn’t on the guest list.
She’d been making waves ever since the engagement fallout, stirring up trouble over Olivia. The last thing he wanted was for her to show up at a high–profile event like this.
But hearing his reply, Stephanie let out a laugh. “See Chris? What would I need to see him for?”
Tyler’s expression darkened. “Then why are you here? You think Chris will just let you keep making a scene? You panicked now that reality’s sinking in?”
Tyler knew Chris had already made it clear—he wasn’t going to marry Stephanie.
To Tyler, that was her own fault.
She’d been too reckless, too aggressive. The public breakup, forcing Dr. Pierce to leave the country…
After all that, did she really expect Chris to tolerate her antics? Tyler didn’t think so.
“You need to get it through your head,” Tyler continued. “Whatever you and Chris had is over. You brought this on yourself. Even if we wanted to, we couldn’t help you fix this mess.”
Stephanie arched a brow. “Wow, you almost make it sound like you’d actually speak up for me.”
She couldn’t help but wonder. Were these people blind, deaf, or just delusional?
She had single–handedly turned Long Harbor’s high society upside down, and yet they still thought she was here for Chris?
Tyler’s temper flared. “I don’t care what you think–you need to leave. And while you’re at it, try not to embarrass yourself any further dressed like that.”
Chris also stepped forward, his expression unreadable.
And then, the moment he saw what she was wearing, a flicker of undisguised contempt flashed across his eyes.
“Leave. We’re done. Isn’t that what you wanted?” said Chris, he voice was cold.
Stephanie didn’t say a word.
Chris took a step closer, his tone dropping. “Listen, Stephanie, if I ever even think about marrying you again, I swear, I’d rather go to hell.”
Lilian smirked, striding up in her high heels.
“Well, you heard him,” she sneered at Stephanie. “Mr. Ashford’s never taking you back. Your little dream of being Long Harbor’s most elite wife? Game over.”
Stephanie turned to look at Lilian, her expression calm. “Well, if it’s a dream, it’s a nightmare–one I’m more than happy to wake up from.”
Lilian’s smirk deepened. “Keep telling yourself that. You’re just putting on a brave face. Without Mr. Ashford, and after everything you did to the Hart family, let’s see how long you last before you’re begging on the streets.”
Ella’s patience snapped. She finally spoke up. “Excuse me, who are you calling a beggar? Even without the Ashfords and Harts, do you think she needs them to survive?”
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Lilian let out a mocking laugh. “Oh! And how long are you planning to babysit her, huh?
She gave Stephanie a pointed look. But even if you really want to spend your life carrying the lady’s shoes, at least pick
Ella inciled. “You –*
Slap! A crisp, ringing slap cut through the air.
Lilian’s head snapped to the side. For a moment, there was total silence.
Everyone stared, stunned. They all saw Stephanie had just slapped Lilian
Stephanie was not planning to comment, but hearing Lilian humiliate Ella like that, she couldn’t take it anymore.
Lilian clutched her cheek, eyes wide with shock. “You hit me?”
Stephanie’s voice was lazy, almost amused. “Yeah, and? You think I’d hesitate?”
She crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly. “With a mouth like yours, I should’ve slapped you ten more times.”
Tyler finally snapped back to his senses, his expression thunderous. He couldn’t believe Stephanie had actually hit someone at an event like this.
He stepped forward and shoved her back. “Are you out of your mind? You think this is the place for your tantrums?”
“I’ve thrown bigger tantrums than this,” Stephanie said flatly.
She glanced at her chipped nail. That manicure had barely lasted a few days. Her mood soured even further.
Tyler’s jaw clenched, “You-”
He couldn’t endure anymore. His hand shot up, his palm aimed straight for Stephanie’s face.
The anger boiling inside him had reached its peak. This woman–she was completely out of control. If she wanted a lesson, he’d be happy to give her one.
But just as his hand was about to strike, his wrist was caught in a firm grip.
At the same time, Stephanie’s knee shot up right onto his stomach.
Tyler let out a strangled sound, his face twisting in sheer agony.
The one who had grabbed his wrist, Macro, blinked at the scene before him.
He had been about to stop Tyler himself, but before he even got the chance, Stephanie had already handled it.
He let go of Tyler’s wrist. Tyler curled in on himself, his breathing ragged.
“Tyler!” Lilian shrieked, rushing to him. “What did you do to him? Someone call a damn ambulance!”
Tyler, still doubled over, felt an overwhelming sense of injustice. He couldn’t believe he was taken down by Stephanie in front of everyone at the banquet.
Seeing Tyler take a hit from Stephanie, Chris stormed toward her, fury written all over his face.
“What are you trying to pull here?” he barked. “You really think causing a scene here is going to change anything? Let me make it clear: I’m not marrying you, no matter what you do.”
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Chapter 39
Stephanie said nothing, her eyes as cold as ever. Even Macro conddn’t help but glance at her, eyebrow raised.
The tension in the room was suffocating. Some people, unable to hold their tongues, started griping right there on the
spot
One voice piped up, “Wasn’t that Stephanie the one who called off the engagement? Now she’s regretting, wr
Another added, “Even if she is, it doesn’t matter, Mr. Ashford’s made it pretty clear there’s no way he’s marrying her
A third one snickered, “Some women just don’t get it. Look at her throwing a fit. No wonder both the Hodge family and Mr. Ashford want nothing to do with her. Who’d want to deal with that?
Just as Chris opened his mouth to say something, his phone buzzed in his pocket.
He pulled it out and froze. It was a message from Catlin, a picture of Olivia curled up in a hospital bed, drenched in cold sweat, her face contorted in pain.
His stomach dropped. Seeing Olivia like that wiped out all his anger. The heat in his chest went cold, replaced by a wave of guilt and concern.
He turned to Stephanie, grabbing her wrist with a force that was firm but not aggresive. “Enough already. Can we just stop
this? Please?”
Stephanie shot him a look, her expression tight. “Let go
There was something in her eyes, a flash of disgust so quick it almost didn’t register. But Chris saw it–and it stung more than he expected,
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