Chapter 17
When Chris first saw the necklace, an image of Olivia wearing it popped into his head.
But now, with it hanging around Stephanie’s neck, he felt something stir inside him—a strange, unexplained feeling.
Why are you just getting back? I asked you to pick up Stefi, but she came back on her own,” Grace said, noticing Chris standing there in the doorway.
Chris’s gare lingered on the necklace as he spoke.
Grace paned Stephanie’s hand and smiled warmly. “Stefi, why don’t you stay here for a moment? Chris and I need to talk.”
Stephanie gave a slight nod, and Grace shot Chris a pointed look, signaling for him to follow her upstairs.
Stephanie understood immediately–it was probably about Olivia. Grace was probably about to give Chris another lecture.
The two of them stayed upstairs for about half an hour.
The two of them stayed upstairs for about half an hour.
Grace turned to Stephanie with a bright smile. “Stefi, I’m going to check on something in the kitchen. You and Chris should catch up.
Without waiting for a response, she left, taking the butler and maids with her, leaving just Chris and Stephanie alone.
Now alone, Stephanie was absorbed in a phone game.
Chris could hear the loud “bang, bang, bang” of cannon fire coming from her phone. He instantly recognized it as one of the most popular games right now.
He couldn’t get his head around it: Why did his grandparents like this lazy woman so much? It was clear to him that Stephanie didn’t do anything else with her time–just played games all day.
Chris opened his mouth to speak, but when he saw Stephanie completely absorbed in her phone, furiously tapping away at her game, he hesitated.
She didn’t seem to care at all about him–or anything going on around her.
Frustration simmered inside him. He’d tried to talk, tried to make some kind of connection, but she was so into her game
that she didn’t even notice.
Just then, his phone rang. It was Catlin.
Chris glanced at Stephanie, still glued to her game, and decided to step outside to take the call.
He’d completely forgotten about Grace’s warning to keep his distance from the Hart family.
Stepping outside, he answered, “Mrs. Hart
Catlin’s voice came through in a rush, full of panic. “Chris, what are we gonna do? The professor treating Olivia just left the country
Chris frowned. “Which professor?”
Catin was practically breathless. The gynecologist–the genius, Dr. Allison Pierce.”
Chris’s tone was calm, detached. Tll arrange for another one. Don’t worry about it.”
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Chapter 17
To him, it was just another doctor. There were plenty of specialists out there.
But Catlin wasn’t calming down. “That’s the problem! Most other doctors are recommending surgery.”
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She paused, and went on, “You know Olivia’s condition—she can’t handle more surgeries. Her heart, her liver… she’s not in any shape for that.”
Catlin then sighed, her voice cracking slightly. “Dr. Pierce is a genius. With her care, Olivia has the best shot at recovering.”
Olivia’s heart needed surgery, and so did her liver. She’s already weak now, there was no way she could handle so many major surgeries.
Catlin had been hopeful when she first heard about Dr. Allison Pierce.
She’d been desperate to find the best possible doctor to give Olivia less surgeries, and Dr. Pierce had seemed like the perfect fit.
But now, just the night before, she found out that Allison was leaving the country.
Chris thought for a moment, then asked, “You said her name is Allison Pierce?”
The name rang a bell. He couldn’t quite place it, but it sounded familiar.
“Yeah, that’s her,” Catlin confirmed. “She’s young, but everyone calls her a genius.”
And that’s when it hit him. Young genius.
Suddenly, it clicked–Allison Pierce was Stephanie’s best friend.
Chris’s voice grew firmer. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it.”
Catlin sighed with relief, her voice softening. “Chris, I really hope you can get Dr. Pierce to help us. Olivia can’t handle any more surgeries.”
“I’ll make it happen,” Chris said, before hanging up.
The call had lasted about ten minutes, and when he went back inside, he saw that Stephanie’s game had finished.
From the look on her face, she’d won.
She glanced toward the dining room, sensing the quiet. Nobody was ready for dinner yet.
Her attention quickly snapped back to her phone as she tapped a few buttons, gearing up for another round.
Without warning, Chris snatched the phone out of her hands.
Stephanie looked up, startled. “What the hell are you doing?”
His voice was cold, his words sharp. “Allison Pierce. She’s your best friend, right?”
Stephanie raised an eyebrow, nonchalant. “And?”
Chris’s face darkened. “Did she leave the country because you told her to?”
Chris’s mind raced. Olivia had been rushed into emergency treatment last night, and they did a thorough check on her.
The hospital director burned night oil and scrambled to finalize her treatment team.
Dr. Pierce had been a key player in that team–now she was suddenly overseas.
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Chapter 17
And, coincidentally, Dr. Pierce was Stephanie’s best friend.
- 4.
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It was all starting to come together. Chris was beginning to make the connection, and he was sure now–Stephanie had something to do with it.
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