Chapter 8
Chris climbed into the car, his jaw clenched and his face dark with anger,
Kevin glanced at him through the rearview mirror. “So, how’s Miss Giovanni? Is she over it yet?”
It was pretty clear to everyone else that Stephanie was just throwing a tantrum, trying to pressure Chris into sending Olivia away again.
Chris rubbed his temples, frustration building. “You think she’s that easy to calm down?”
Kevin thought back to what had caused all this tension.
He had to admit, Olivia’s sudden return without any warning would’ve pissed anyone off.
“Do you think she’s serious about canceling the wedding?” Kevin asked cautiously.
Chris went quiet, unsure how to answer.
He replayed the past two years in his mind.
Then, Chris let out a bitter laugh. “What do you think?”
He couldn’t shake the feeling that someone who really felt that way wouldn’t shut down so fast.
Kevin thought for a moment, then shook his head It didn’t seem likely.
He knew the Hart family couldn’t stand Stephanie. Aside from marrying Chris, she had no backup plan.
Plus, after everything she’d invested in their relationship over the last two years, it seemed real. You couldn’t fake that kind of emotion.
So, Kevin figured Stephanie was just throwing a tantrum–though, admittedly, a pretty extreme one…
Back in Cloudridge Valley, Stephanie was still awake.
She stared at the pile of shopping bags scattered across the floor, her mind drifting back to the credit card she’d accidentally pulled out. Her headache was getting worse by the minute.
It felt like a storm was brewing inside her.
She tried to push the worry aside.
After all, she’d spent the whole morning trying on wedding dresses and shopping with Ella. Her calves were sore from all the walking
A bath sounded like just what she needed. It started off relaxing, but the moment she stepped out, the doorbell rang urgently.
“Who’s there?” she asked.
She didn’t bother opening the door, just called out.
“It’s me. Open up,” the person answered. Stephanie could tell it was Catlin.
Stephanie swung the door open to find Catlin standing there, dressed in an elegant skirt, a string of pearls around her neck.
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Chapter 8
Her makeup was flawless, but her expression was sharp and unforgiving.
Catlin stepped inside, sitting down with authority. Her eyes locked onto Stephanie, hard and unyielding.
Stephanie closed the door behind her, towel in hand, wiping her hair dry.
Catlin was already angry, but seeing Stephanie lounging around like that pushed her to the breaking point.
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“Tell me, what exactly are you trying to do?” Catlin snapped, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. “I told you, Olivia didn’t do it. She just got back, and you’re already attacking her.”
Catlin pulled out her phone, opened it, and shoved the news article in Stephanie’s face. “And this statement about canceling the wedding? Olivia’s my daughter, and your sister! Why do you have to humiliate her like this?
“The whole two now thought she’s the other woman. How could you do that?”
The more Catlin spoke, the angrier she became, her words spilling out in a rush of frustration.
Stephanie, her eyes like ice, tossed the towel aside and met Catlin’s furious gaze with equal intensity.
Seeing the coldness in her eyes, Catlin’s anger flared even higher.
She put on an exaggerated, helpless expression. “You won’t stop until you’ve ruined the reputation of our entire family, will you? Now I really wonder why I ever brought you back.”
Her words, tinged with regret, hit their mark. She was finally admitting what had been weighing on her: her regret for bringing Stephanie back into the family at all.
To Catlin, if they’d never let Stephanie back, none of this would’ve happened.
Everything Stephanie had done lately just proved she was nothing but trouble–a curse on their family.
After the outburst, Catlin stared at Stephanie, her face hard and completely devoid of guilt.
Stephanie let out a cold, dismissive laugh. “You’re right. You never should’ve brought me back. If you hadn’t, I wouldn’t have ended up in that car accident.”
It was clear in that moment that Stephanie felt more regret than Catlin ever could. Returning to this family had been a mistake from the start.
Catlin, seething with anger, couldn’t even find the words to respond. Her arms trembled, shaking with fury.
Stephanie continued, “Like I said, you should’ve just pretended you never found me. From now on, we stay out of each other’s way.”
She paused, then smirked. “And as for Olivia–you’re still protecting her, huh? Still worried about people finding out about
her?”
After coming back to the Hart family a few years ago, Stephanie had left again. She hadn’t spent enough time with them to feel any real attachment.
Her cold, uncaring words only made Catlin’s rage burn hotter. “You… you rude and ungrateful brat,” Catlin spat.
The conversation had hit a dead end.
Suddenly, Catlin stood up. “Think about it carefully. Once you stop going after Olivia, I’ll reinstate your card.”
Catlin had no other way to punish Stephanie, so she tried to hit her where it hurt–her wallet–hoping that would make her
back down
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Chapter 8
Without another word, Catlin stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
She was convinced that cutting off Stephanie’s access to money would force her to crawl back.
She couldn’t wait to see Stephanie begging for her forgiveness.
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Once Catlin was gone, the house fell into a heavy silence.
Stephanie, completely unfazed, casually washed an apple and took a bite.
Her phone rang, and she answered it without hesitation. “Hello?”
The voice on the other end was practically vibrating with excitement. “Boss, we’ve got a big one. A really big one.”
Stephanie took another bite of her apple, her tone as calm as ever. “How big?”
The voice, struggling to keep her enthusiasm in check, replied, “Three times higher than what we’ve had before.”
Stephanie’s pulse quickened at the number. The apple in her hand suddenly tasted sweeter.
She took another bite and stood up. “I’ll be there soon.”
After finishing her apple, she quickly changed.
Normally, it took her over forty minutes to get to the office, but today she made it in just thirty.
When she arrived at the studio, her assistant, Jennifer Adams, was already waiting, grinning widely. “Miss Giovanni, it’s a huge project!”
Jennifer eagerly handed her the project proposal.
Stephanie flipped through it. “Another one from Skyriver Travel?”
She couldn’t hide her impressed look. Skyriver Travel’s business was booming, and this was the second major project they’d sent her this year.
Their design fees were always high, but this one was even more outrageous than usual…
Jennifer nodded excitedly. “Yes! The contact from Skyriver said our designs were fantastic and that they’ll send all their future projects to us.”
The words “fantastic designs” finally made Stephanie crack a smile.
She thought for a moment, then told Jennifer, “I’ll make arrangements tonight and gather all the designers for a meeting first thing tomorrow.”
“Got it!” Jennifer chirped, her voice full of energy, like a little bird in the spring.
Meanwhile, Catlin had gone straight to the hospital.
Chris was there too, along with Catlin’s son, Tyler Hart.
Before Catlin arrived, Tyler had been comforting Olivia.
Olivia and Tyler had grown up together. Every time there was a conflict between Stephanie and Olivia, Tyler naturally sided
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Chapter S
with Olivia.
Today, though, seeing Olivia hurt by Stephanie had his frustration bubbling over.
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When Catlin walked in. Olivia looked up at her, guilt written all over her face. “Mom, I’m sorry, I think I made Stefi upset again
Catlin stepped forward, her heart heavy with concern. “Silly girl, I’m sure it’s not your fault. I know her too well.”
The mention of Stephanie seemed to add more weight to the already tense mood in the room.
Catlin sighed deeply. “What kind of family did she grow up in? How did she grow into such a spoiled and rude person?”
The Hart family only knew that Stephanie’s adoptive family was called the Giovannis.
They had no clue where they were–Catlin had tried asking Stephanie, but she never said a word about it.
Tyler, shaking his head, patted Olivia’s arm. “It’s not that hard to guess. Look at her–she’s probably from some backwater town, just wild and undisciplined”
Tyler had always found Stephanie’s temper and brash behavior annoying.
Catlin sighed again, frustration creeping into her voice. “She’s impossible.”
Tyler turned to her with a sharp look. You cut off her card, right? Don’t give it back to her too easily this time.”
He was eager to see Stephanie struggle without money. Maybe that would finally take her down a peg.
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