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🔞🔥Click to Read more about📜Vengeance With My White Knight📜

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PERSON_PROFILE

Chapter 1 Teaching Her The Math
Standing in front of the mirror, Stephanie Giovanni studied her reflection, her lips curling into a soft smile.

"Stunning," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

The gown hugged her slender waist, flowing into a skirt that reminded her of something straight out of a fairytale.

Her face, still free of makeup, looked just as delicate and enchanting in the natural light.

The shop manager was adjusting the pleats on the gown.

She couldn't resist commenting, "Why isn't Mr. Ashford here with you? Men and women, they've got different tastes, you know."

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Stephanie's lips. She glanced at the manager with a shrug. "You know men. Busy with work. Can't get away."

Just then, her phone vibrated on the nearby counter. Stephanie glanced at the caller ID before answering, "Ella."

On the other end, Ella Turner's voice came through quickly, almost breathless. "Stefi, I saw Olivia and Chris!"

The moment she heard those names, Stephanie's fingers tightened around the phone, her knuckles going white.

The smile that had lingered on her face slowly faded, replaced by a chill in her eyes.

Chris Ashford—her fiancé—was just a week away from marrying her.

And Olivia Hart, just hearing her name disgusted Stephanie.

Stephanie looked over at the shop manager, who immediately nodded in understanding.

With a silent gesture, the manager ushered the staff out of the room.

Once the room was empty, Stephanie lowered her gaze to her perfectly manicured nails. "Where did you see them?" she asked casually.

Ella's voice cracked with urgency. "At the hospital. In the obstetrics and gynecology department."

Stephanie raised an eyebrow, a quiet laugh escaping her lips. "Quite a special place," she muttered, her expression turning to one of thinly veiled sarcasm.

A man and a woman in the obstetrics and gynecology department? Stephanie didn't need to think twice to know why.

Ella, still flustered, pressed on. "That Olivia is a calculating bitch, and Chris is an idiot. You shouldn't marry him!"

While Stephanie seemed calm, Ella was seething with anger.

Stephanie sipped from the water cup on the table, unfazed. "Every time she calculates, the trouble's on ME. Why are YOU so worked up?"

When she was leaving two years ago, Olivia begged for Stephanie's forgiveness in tears.

And now, she came back and threw herself on Chris, again.

'Am I a pushover? Or just too kind?' Stephanie thought to herself.

Ella didn't let up. "She's picking the perfect time—just before you and Chris are about to get married. She's clearly up to something."

Stephanie's eyes sharpened, her grip on the phone tightening. "I'm hanging up now," she said flatly.

Ella's voice was frantic. "What are you going to do?"

Stephanie's lips curled into a thin smile. "Someone's made a bad calculation. I'm going to teach her how to do the math."

Then, she ended the call, the silence that followed settling in like a weight.

Staring at her reflection in the mirror, Stephanie reached up to touch the bust of the dress.

With a sudden, sharp rip, she tore the gown in half, throwing the pieces to the floor.

The sound of fabric ripping echoed through the silent room.

The saleswomen gasped in shock, their eyes wide. But when they saw the cold fury in Stephanie's expression, none of them dared to move or speak.

After she'd changed back into her own clothes, her phone vibrated again.

She glanced at the screen—Chris's name.

Without a word, she answered, and his voice came through immediately, firm and clipped. "Once you're done with the fitting, come to the office."

For the past two years, Chris had always been gentle and considerate.

Now Olivia is back, he suddenly became cold.

This abrupt shift in tone made the already cold room feel even colder.

A flicker of sarcasm flashed in Stephanie's eyes. She couldn't be bothered to respond. Without hesitation, she hung up.

*****

Half an hour later...

Stephanie stepped into Chris's office. He was standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, speaking on the phone.

Bathed in sunlight, he looked every bit the image of refinement and gentleness. His perfectly sculpted profile was hard to ignore, the kind of face that made it impossible to look away.

His appearance was so rare and flawless, it seemed like something most people in Long Harbor City could only dream of.

Noticing her presence, Chris quickly muttered into the phone, "Can't join you for lunch today. Sorry. Goodbye."

He hung up and walked over to the nearby leather couch, settling into it with a soft creak of the cushions.

The warmth from the phone call seemed to vanish in an instant, replaced by an icy coldness that darkened his expression.

His eyes locked onto Stephanie, and his voice became clipped as he ordered, "Come here."

Stephanie held his gaze, not moving an inch. The tension between them was thick, hanging heavy in the air.

Unlike the usual routine, she didn't sit beside him. Instead, she chose to sit across from him, maintaining a distance that mirrored the coldness between them.

Chris's eyes narrowed, and the coldness deepened.

Click—the sound of a lighter echoed through the silence. The faint smell of gasoline hung in the air.

Irritated, Stephanie waved her hand to fan it away, her nose wrinkling slightly at the scent.

Chris, unfazed, took a drag from the cigarette, exhaling slowly. Then, with a hint of reluctance, he spoke. "Olivia's back."

For a split second, guilt flickered in his eyes, but it disappeared almost as quickly as it had come.

Then came the words that froze her. "Our wedding... it has to be postponed."

Stephanie had already seen this coming after the call with Ella.

Her voice was cold as she asked, "What do you mean?"

Their wedding should have nothing to do with Olivia.

Chris exhaled another cloud of smoke, his tone steady as he explained, "She's sick. It's terrible."

As he spoke, he handed her a file, adding, "The admission letter from the University of Saint Peter. You should go study there."

His voice had an almost condescending edge, like he was giving her an order.

Stephanie glanced at the file in his hand but didn't reach for it. A small, almost playful smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.

"Sending me abroad? Getting out of your way?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Chris's face darkened, his jaw tightening. "Isn't this the school you've always wanted to go to? Now you've got the chance..."

"Chris Ashford!" she interrupted sharply, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife.

Without waiting for him to finish, Stephanie reached forward, snatched the envelope from his hand, and tore it apart.

The pieces of the envelope scattered across the floor, and the last shred stuck to her hand. Without a second thought, she tossed it straight into Chris's face.

His expression shifted, the warmth draining from his eyes.

Stephanie didn't spare him another glance. "Postpone he wedding? Don't bother. It's canceled."

She let the words hang in the air, the finality of them cutting through the room. Postponing? She couldn't bring herself to consider it. Canceling would be easier.

Chapter 2 Ditching The Fiancé
Chris's face shifted in disbelief, his brows knitting together as the weight of Stephanie's words hit him.

He stared at her, utterly stunned by her coldness.

'Cancel the wedding? Is she... crazy?' Chris's mind raced, countless thoughts swirling, but they all crumbled in the face of her icy indifference.

His voice faltered slightly as he tried to explain, "She's sick. Once she recovers, she'll leave, and we'll have a bigger wedding."

Stephanie's lips curled into a sneer, her voice frigid. "Is she sick, or is she pregnant?"

The moment her words hung in the air, the air stiffened, like the weight of her question was too much to bear.

Chris's eyes darkened, his voice low as he asked, "What do you know?"

Stephanie didn't answer immediately. She leaned back in her chair, her tone cool as she replied, "You and she were so open about being at the hospital, in the gynecology department." A mocking smile tugged at her lips.

Her voice was biting, filled with frost. "Now, you're talking to me about a bigger wedding. Don't you think that's ironic?"

They were supposed to marry in just a week. The thought of it, mixed with everything else, made something inside Stephanie crumble.

He made another woman pregnant, and now he was here talking about the wedding with Stephanie.

'Is he really playing both sides to her face? Thinking I won't cut him off?' Stephanie's eyes were steely, her resolve unshakable.

Chris's face grew even darker, his voice hushed, almost desperate. "She's not pregnant. She's sick."

Stephanie's gaze was unwavering, cold as ice. "Sick? And you're the one taking her to the hospital? Am I missing something?"

Her question hung in the air, sharp and unforgiving. Chris's expression darkened further, and his fingers absently traced the edge of the desk.

Stephanie couldn't bear to look at him any longer. She stood up and walked to the door.

As she moved, her voice was cold, the words dripping with mockery. "Now that she's here, she might as well stay. After all, she still has a debt to settle here in Long Harbor, and I'm sure it'll take long."

Two years of building a relationship, of calm affection, seemed to collapse in an instant.

Chris had severed his ties with Olivia, but now Stephanie was doing it too, tearing apart what little remained... Her heart was filled with cold resolve, and she wasn't looking back.

Relationships took work from both sides. There was no point in one person doing all the labor. Stephanie's heart was heavy with disappointment, but also fierce with anger.

Chris's voice became hard, carrying a hint of warning. "Don't make things difficult for her!"

Stephanie's hand rested on the doorknob, her expression unreadable.

Chris gritted his teeth, voice barely above a growl. "You sure you want to cancel the wedding? Do you really think the Hart family would bail you out?"

The Hart family. The mention of them made Stephanie's eyes grow even colder, like a chill had settled deep in her bones.

The Harts were a group of people who couldn't tell friend from foe.

Stephanie had known for a long time that they were not her safety net, but it didn't matter.

The Hart family was her bloodline, but it was also where Olivia had grown up.

Years ago, Olivia's biological mother had worked as a maid for the Hart family. Both she and Stephanie's mother, Mrs. Hart, had been pregnant at the same time.

Because her unreliable, gambling husband couldn't provide, Olivia's birth mother had hoped her child would have a better life.

So, she switched babies at the hospital after giving birth.

Olivia's birth mother was heartless. After taking Stephanie away, she never had plans of raising her.

She simply throw the baby girl away like trash.

She kept working as a maid at the Hart family, watching her biological daughter live a privileged life while she stayed by her side.

Three years ago, Mrs. Hart had a car accident, and the truth came out. The hospital revealed that Olivia wasn't her biological daughter.

The shocking secret stunned the entire family.

A search began for the real heiress.

They eventually found Stephanie, but through the entire process, they always favored Olivia, the one they had raised.

Chris wasn't entirely wrong.

If Stephanie called off the engagement, she would have nowhere to go because the Hart family would never accept her.

Chris stepped forward and grabbed her wrist. "Once she's better, I'll send her away, alright?"

His voice softened, almost as if he were trying to calm her.

Stephanie looked at him, her eyes cold. She slowly pulled her hand away.

"Stefi... " Chris inhaled sharply, his face growing even darker.

Stephanie didn't bother saying another word. She turned and walked out of the office.

The sound of her high heels echoed in the hallway as she walked away, head held high.

Chris, who was always admired by everyone, was so furious his head felt like it was going to explode. He couldn't believe that Stephanie would actually cancel their wedding.

Everyone had seen how committed she'd been to him these past two years.

With that thought, Chris didn't chase after her. Instead, he slammed the door shut with a loud 'bang.'

*****

The secretarial department buzzed with whispers as the loud noise echoed down the hall. Each person had their own thoughts.

Two years ago, the gossip about Stephanie and Chris had caused quite the stir. Back then, everyone assumed Stephanie was trying to steal him away from Olivia.

Now that Olivia was back, people were eagerly waiting to see what drama would unfold.

One employee leaned toward another, whispering, "Miss Hart is back. About time. Stephanie totally deserves this!"

Another scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Exactly. Two years ago, Miss Hart was practically forced out by her. What's stolen always comes back."

Just as Stephanie walked past, she overheard them. She glanced toward the source of the gossip.

Stephanie clicked her heels sharply as she walked directly toward them.

Caught off guard, the two women quickly fell silent, eyes wide with fear.

Without a word, Stephanie reached out, gripping one of their chins and tilting her head back. The secretary was pretty—stunning, even.

But the moment their eyes locked, the young woman froze, visibly shaken by the intensity of Stephanie's gaze.

"Miss... Miss Giovanni," she stammered, her voice barely a whisper.

Stephanie's eyes narrowed. "Enjoying my gossip that much?"

The young woman's face drained of color. "No... no, I didn't—"

Stephanie released her with a look of contempt. Then, she swept her gaze over the entire department, her eyes like ice.

Everyone quickly lowered their heads, afraid to make a sound.

Chapter 3 A Humiliating Fall
As soon as Stephanie stepped out of the building, she saw Olivia getting out of a car.

Chris's assistant, Kevin Wright, opened the door for her. She handed him several shopping bags.

"Give these to the secretaries," she instructed with a graceful nod.

Her posture exuded authority, like she owned the place.

Kevin took the bags with a respectful nod. "Thank you, Miss Hart."

Olivia gave a soft smile before turning, her eyes locking with Stephanie's across the parking lot.

Stephanie narrowed her gaze.

Olivia paused, then walked toward her. "Stefi."

Her voice was sweet, almost like a kind big sister.

When Stephanie had first been brought into the Hart family, they'd mentioned that Olivia was only an hour older than her.

Stephanie knew that sweet tone was for Kevin's benefit.

And, the challenge in Olivia's eyes was unmistakable.

As Olivia got closer, her voice dropped, almost a whisper. "You're his fiancée, but he wants me here in his workplace. Tell me, what does that mean?"

Stephanie's expression didn't shift. She stayed silent.

After a beat, she scoffed. "I'm his fiancée. And as long as I want, I can visit here and even the Ashford family anytime. You where else can you go except here? Oh, right—meeting in the darkness like rats doesn't count."

Olivia's face flickered with a mix of surprise and irritation.

She quickly smoothed over the smugness, but her eyes narrowed with cold fury.

It was clear—Olivia couldn't go to the Ashford family. Too many old-fashioned relatives there would never accept her.

Stephanie couldn't help feeling a rush of satisfaction as she saw Olivia's discomfort.

Olivia shot her a glare, her voice sharp. "Don't get too comfortable. As long as I'm around, you'll never marry him."

Stephanie gave a slight smile, her tone unaffected.

She brushed imaginary dust off her shoulder. "The world doesn't revolve around him. I don't need to marry him."

In truth, Stephanie had known from the start that Chris's heart belonged to someone else. Walking away from him had always been the right choice.

Some things just couldn't wait. Stephanie knew it was time to move fast.

Olivia's face stiffened. "What do you mean?"

She stared at Stephanie, completely thrown off, unable to process what was happening. She had always believed Stephanie was hopelessly in love with Chris.

She could still remember how fiercely they had fought over him two years ago. But now, to see Stephanie acting so indifferent—it made Olivia think that maybe it was all just a front.

Stephanie raised an eyebrow. "I mean exactly what I said. If I lose Chris, I can move on and find someone else. But you? He's the only guy who will ever marry you, and you won't even get a grand wedding. Honestly, I almost feel sorry for you."

Olivia's face, already pale with anger, drained white with fury.

Stephanie secretly enjoyed seeing Olivia's confidence crumble.

She didn't understand why Olivia had the nerve to provoke her today—maybe she had forgotten the bitter lesson from two years ago.

Not wanting to waste any more time, Stephanie turned to leave.

But just as she was about to walk away, Olivia suddenly grabbed her wrist. "Stefi, I'm just back in town to see a doctor."

She put on her most pitiful expression and added, "I don't want to come between you and Chris. Please don't get me wrong, okay?"

"Let go of me," Stephanie said.

Her face twisted in disgust as Olivia touched her wrist.

She tried to pull away, but Olivia yanked her hand back forcefully.

Slap—the sound echoed, like a piece of fat falling from a great height.

Clearly, it wasn't a gentle drop.

Stephanie rolled her eyes, barely registering what had just happened.

But then, from a distance, she heard Chris's enraged voice. "Stephanie!"

Finally, it clicked for Stephanie—the drama queen was just putting on a show for her favorite audience.

Stephanie glanced down at Olivia, still acting her part, before looking over at the nearby fountain.

A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips as she stalked toward Olivia, grabbing her hair in one quick motion.

Olivia screamed in pain, "Ah—!"

With a sharp jerk, Stephanie dunked Olivia's head into the icy cold water.

The shock of the freezing water hit Olivia like a ton of bricks, and she began to thrash around in panic.

But Stephanie was relentless, her grip firm as she held Olivia under.

If Olivia wanted to play the victim and make her look bad, Stephanie was more than willing to give her a performance she wouldn't forget.

"Help! Ah—!" Olivia screamed as Stephanie briefly pulled her up for air.

Before Olivia could even take a full breath, Stephanie shoved her head back into the water.

Chris, now running toward them, finally reached the scene and shouted, "Stephanie, stop!"

Olivia, gasping and choking, felt like her lungs were about to explode. Her hands flailed wildly.

Chris reached them, shoved Stephanie aside, and pulled Olivia out of the water.

Olivia, drenched and coughing violently, struggled to speak. Chris, full of concern, looked at her. "Are you okay?"

Olivia gasped for air, her chest burning. "I... I... wheeze."

Her eyes were cloudy with pain, and she was barely able to form words.

Chris's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing as he glared at Stephanie.

Stephanie, unfazed, took two swift steps forward and without hesitation, stomped down on Olivia's ankle.

Olivia screamed in agony. "Argh—!"

Chris roared, fury radiating off him. "Stephanie!"

He shoved her away again, his hands shaking with rage.

But Stephanie wasn't phased. She raised her small purse and threw it straight at Chris's head.

The impact made Chris stagger back, momentarily dazed, but his rage only grew stronger.

He couldn't believe how rude and brutal Stephanie had become.

Before Chris could react, Stephanie lunged at Olivia again, kicking her in the leg.

Olivia, already struggling from the water, felt a sharp pain shoot through her leg as it started to swell.

Chapter 4 Blocking Catlin
After the chaotic, mud-slinging fight, a crowd quickly gathered, eager to see how it would all play out.

Kevin struggled to drag Stephanie away from the scene.

Olivia's face contorted in pain, her eyes brimming with tears as she glanced at Chris. "Chris, I..."

Chris's face twisted into a mask of rage.

He barked at Kevin, still holding on to Stephanie. "Get her out of here—now!"

Stephanie yanked at Kevin's grip, but he wasn't about to let go.

It was the first time he'd realized just how strong she was—he could barely hold her back.

"Come on, Miss Giovanni, let's go," Kevin urged.

That's when Stephanie suddenly remembered something.

"My bag! My bag," she rushed to say.

The bag she'd used to hit Chris was lying next to him. In a fit of fury, Chris grabbed it and hurled it at her.

Kevin snatched it out of the air just in time, shoving it into Stephanie's arms. "Got it, let's go."

Finally, the chaos started to settle.

Kevin managed to drag Stephanie to the car, planning to take her home, but she wouldn't have it.

She didn't want to be anywhere near Chris—or anything related to him—so she drove off by herself.

Chris, still dazed from the blow to his head, stood frozen for a moment.

When his mind finally clicked back into place, his eyes landed on Olivia—her hair a mess and her leg swollen. His anger toward Stephanie flared up even more.

Without hesitation, he scooped Olivia up into his arms. "I'm taking you to the hospital."

Tears welled up in Olivia's eyes as she nodded weakly. She looked utterly broken.

Seeing her like that, Kevin rushed to bring the car around.

But when he reached the spot where they'd parked, the car was gone.

"Miss Giovanni took the car," Kevin said, his voice full of frustration as he stood behind Chris.

Kevin had planned to drive Stephanie, but she'd been quick—and now she was gone in the car.

Chris's face darkened even more.

Noticing Chris's growing frustration, Kevin quickly added, "I'll grab another car from the garage."

Without waiting for a response, Kevin dashed off—he had to get the keys from the office first.

*****

As Stephanie waited for the light to change, her phone buzzed.

She picked it up and saw it was a call from her mother, Catlin Hart.

Without wasting any time, Catlin snapped, "Come home tonight. We need to talk."

Stephanie took a sip of water, her voice flat. "Can't. I'm busy."

In reality, she wasn't busy at all, but she knew exactly what Catlin wanted to talk about—and she didn't want to hear it.

Catlin's voice, now tinged with annoyance, cut through. "Busy? With what? You haven't even been trying with Chris."

Stephanie felt a jolt of bitterness rise in her chest. She was Catlin's daughter, but there was no love in the relationship—Catlin didn't hate her, but affection was never there.

"So you sent Olivia to take care of him instead?" Stephanie shot back.

A brief silence hung on the line.

Stephanie knew exactly what Catlin was after.

Her fallout with Olivia two years ago was still fresh.

If Olivia hadn't left back then, she'd probably be sitting in a jail cell right now.

Now that Olivia was back, Chris and the Hart family were clearly worried Stephanie would stir things up again.

Catlin must've realized she couldn't pretend anymore. Her voice softened slightly. "That's all in the past, Stephanie. You need to let it go."

It was getting cold.

The half-open window let in a sharp gust of wind, and Stephanie felt the chill sweep across her neck, biting into her skin.

For a moment, she almost forgot the cold.

She let out a bitter laugh, then spoke again, her voice laced with irony. "Catlin, I almost died in that car crash. It's only been three years. Remember what I looked like when they brought me back?"

She'd spent two whole months in a hospital bed after they pulled her out.

Olivia had been the mastermind behind the crash. She feared that if Stephanie returned to the Hart family, she'd take everything that was rightfully hers.

The crash had been meant to end Stephanie's life, to make sure she never came back.

Now, Catlin, Stephanie's own mother, was blaming her—the victim.

Catlin's voice came through, cool and dismissive. "That wasn't her fault, Stephanie. Stop holding so much malice toward her."

Stephanie tossed her empty water bottle into a nearby trash can, landing it perfectly.

She took a deep breath, her voice snapping out, fast and sharp. "She says I'm malicious toward her, and you believe her? If you trust her so much, why do you still need me, your own daughter?

"Just pretend I'm not your daughter, okay? Or better yet, I'll block your number right now."

Catlin was fuming now, "Stephanie! Can't you just calm down? You always lose it when we talk about this!"

Every time Olivia came up, this was how it went, and Catlin was beyond fed up.

After more scolding, Catlin finally got to the real point, her tone changing as if she had a trump card ready.

She said, pitifully, "You've always had issues with Olivia, but that's in the past now. You need to change your attitude. She's sick, Stephanie. Really sick."

Stephanie snorted. "She's sick, so I'm supposed to delay my wedding to Chris, and Chris has to keep taking care of her, right?"

Stephanie didn't care about Chris, but the humiliation she felt was undeniable.

Now Catlin's argument sounded even more absurd, and Stephanie couldn't help but throw in a cutting remark.

Catlin's anger flared. "She and Chris grew up together. She's can't hang on much longer without him."

Then, as if she could read Stephanie's mind, she softened. "Don't worry, Stephanie. In the end, Chris will marry you. For now, let's focus on Olivia's illness, okay?"

Stephanie nearly rolled her eyes. They were treating Olivia like a queen, and now they wanted her to step aside too.

She was so close to losing it.

Catlin noticed her silence. "Did you hear me?"

Stephanie just felt nauseous. The more Catlin spoke, the worse she felt. Too tired to argue, she hung up.

And, just like that, she blocked Catlin's number.

Truth be told, she'd blocked Catlin countless times before. But somehow, every time, Catlin's number mysteriously unblocked itself without explanation.

Chapter 5 Dealing With The Fornicators
Stephanie made her way back to Cloudridge Valley, the place that still felt like home.

As soon as she stepped into the elevator lobby, she spotted Ella sitting on the couch, looking up from her phone.

When Ella saw her, she shot up and rushed over, pulling her into a hug. "Girl, all men are pigs. Tomorrow, I'll introduce you to someone way better."

Stephanie gave a tired nod. "Sure."

Ella expected Stephanie to lash out, but instead, she seemed strangely calm—like the whole thing with Chris hadn't even fazed her.

Ella pulled back, giving her a quick once-over. When she noticed bloodstains on Stephanie's clothes, her eyes widened.

"Wait, what? That's blood? Did you get hurt?" She rushed over to check.

Stephanie glanced down and saw a few spots of blood on her beige coat.

With a nonchalant smile, she shrugged. "Easy. They're not mine."

Ella blinked, confused. "Whose is it, then?" Her voice was laced with concern.

Stephanie replied coolly, "Don't know. Maybe Olivia's or Chris's."

Ella's eyes went wide. "What?"

Stephanie, noticing the worry in her friend's face, casually explained, "Yeah. I taught Olivia and Chris a lesson."

Ella's eyebrows twitched when she heard Stephanie's calm response. She was in awe of how efficiently Stephanie had handled everything.

Ella had just run into Chris and Olivia at the hospital that morning and told Stephanie about it. Now, not even half a day had passed, and Stephanie had already dealt with them.

She couldn't help giving her a thumbs-up.

A mischievous grin spread across her face as she teased, "I know a short fuse can get you in trouble, but when it comes to jerks like them, you need a temper like yours."

What those two had done was outrageous—so much so that even Ella couldn't hold back her anger. And she wasn't the one who'd been betrayed.

Ella had thought Stephanie would cry and whine about Olivia, but instead, she didn't shed a tear. She'd taken action and handled things herself.

Ella didn't fully get how Stephanie had pulled it off, but she was glad to see her handling it so well.

She knew Stephanie wasn't usually this fiery—it was just that Olivia had a way of pushing her buttons, making her lose control.

Ella glanced at her phone, a playful gleam in her eyes. "Don't head upstairs just yet. Let's grab something to eat. It's already past noon."

Stephanie nodded. "You took the afternoon off?"

Ella flashed a grin. "Nuh, I left early. Still gotta to get back to work after lunch."

With Stephanie's wedding coming up in just a week, and everything going on, Ella worried she might start overthinking things.

They wandered around the street for a while before heading into a nearby restaurant.

Stephanie struggled with her steak, poking at it as she muttered, "Let's not get this next time. It doesn't taste that great."

She wasn't a fan of bland food—Ella knew that well.

Ella, on the other hand, was devouring her meal, not even slowing down to chew properly. She mumbled between bites, "I don't have time for that today, but I'll take you to a Mexican place next time."

Lunch during the workday was usually quick and no-nonsense for most people.

Ella paused for a second, swallowed, then asked, "So what's the plan with Chris?"

At the mention of his name, Stephanie's steak suddenly tasted even worse.

She put down her knife and fork with a sigh, wiping her mouth before turning to Ella. "Can you help me issue a statement? I want to announce that we're canceling the wedding."

Ella froze. Her fork hovered in mid-air as she processed the request.

After a beat, she asked, "Your families are okay with this?"

She could hardly believe it. Just hours ago, Stephanie was dealing with Olivia, and now she was already making moves with the families?

Stephanie shrugged, the casualness in her voice at odds with the weight of what she was saying. "I don't need their approval."

Ella raised an eyebrow, surprised by the response.

But after a moment of thought, she realized it made sense. That was the truth. They didn't need anyone's approval.

The engagement with Chris had never really been Stephanie's choice in the first place.

The Ashford family knew Olivia wasn't really the Hart family's biological daughter—she was born to a maid, a secret they'd kept hidden for years. The Ashfords had wanted to call off the engagement from the start.

But the Hart family had been desperate.

They relied on the Ashfords for several major business deals, and losing that connection could be disastrous. So, Catlin and Chad Hart had quietly arranged everything with Stephanie.

Two years ago, when Stephanie and Olivia had fallen out, Chris had unexpectedly stood by Stephanie's side—a major shift from his usual behavior.

After Olivia was sent away, Chris had pampered Stephanie, treating her like she was the most important person in the world.

Back then, Stephanie thought he'd finally seen through Olivia's true colors.

But now, Chris's shift back toward Olivia made it crystal clear.

Two years ago, he had been kind to her only to keep her close, in line.

After all, Stephanie had sworn to put Olivia behind bars, and she had the evidence to make that happen.

Ella immediately grasped the complexity of the situation and muttered under her breath, "He's a total jerk."

She paused for a moment, a confused frown creasing her forehead. "Wait, you knew exactly what kind of guy Chris was two years ago, right? So why the hell did you agree to get engaged to him?

"And today... you went and tried on wedding dresses? Were you really planning to marry him in a week?"

Ella's voice was a mix of disbelief and frustration.

Stephanie didn't answer right away. When Ella asked why, her gaze dropped, and for a brief moment, her eyes seemed to darken.

Why? Stephanie didn't really know. Maybe it was because they both had something to gain, or maybe they both had their own hidden agendas.

In the end, Stephanie just waved her hand dismissively and muttered, "Enough with this. Just make sure to include the pictures of him and Olivia at the hospital when you post the statement."

Ella noticed that Stephanie wasn't in the mood to elaborate, so she let it go. What mattered more to her was how Stephanie felt about all of this.

Once she realized that Stephanie wasn't as in love with Chris as everyone had assumed, her worries started to ease.

Ella thought for a moment, then gave a determined nod. "Alright, I'll post it right now."

She grabbed her phone with purpose.

Ella had once been a professional reporter for a major newspaper, and she still ran several accounts with millions of followers.

The Ashford family was one of the top elite families in Long Harbor, so Chris's wedding had been under constant public scrutiny.

Ella wasn't about to let this slip through her fingers. She carefully crafted the announcement, making sure to get every detail right.

She knew that if she didn't handle this carefully, Stephanie could end up taking all the heat.

Half an hour later, the internet exploded.

The first story quickly took over the local headlines: "The Hart family's adopted daughter returning, spotted with the Ashford heir at a hospital."

Another one followed shortly after: "Miss Hart announces cancellation of wedding to Mr. Ashford!"

These two stories took over the local news, throwing the spotlight back on the scandal from two years ago—the adopted daughter and the real heiress.

People hadn't forgotten the drama, and now, it was being thrust back into the public eye.

Almost immediately, Stephanie's phone started ringing off the hook.

Chapter 6 Black Card
Ella watched as the screen of Stephanie's phone flickered, the constant barrage of calls taking its toll.

In just a few minutes, the phone had been ringing nonstop. Ella couldn't help but suggest, "Why don't you just turn it off?"

Stephanie glanced at the phone, frustrated. Blocking the numbers wasn't doing much anymore—every call was from an unknown number.

Stephanie didn't even need to answer to know that Catlin was behind this, probably calling from one of their maids' phones. She sighed, clearly irritated.

Ella was right. Stephanie accepted her advice and turned off the phone.

But Catlin's punishment didn't stop there.

Stephanie stayed with Ella for a while, trying to calm down. After a few moments, they both got ready to leave.

When it was time to pay, the waitress walked over with a strange expression, hesitating slightly before saying, "Sorry, Miss, your card was declined."

Stephanie's eyes flickered to the card she had grabbed randomly from her wallet. She remembered—it was the one Catlin had given her when she first returned to the Hart family, years ago.

Back then, she hadn't wanted it, but Catlin had insisted.

Now, the card wouldn't go through.

Ella, noticing the exchange, quickly pieced things together. "Anything wrong?"

Stephanie sighed deeply. "Catlin froze my card."

Ella's lips twitched in disbelief. "Because of Olivia? What kind of mother does that to her own daughter?"

Ella couldn't hide her disgust.

She was appalled by how some people would treat their children this way.

Stephanie gave a nonchalant smile, clearly used to this. "It's not the first time."

Ella gently pushed Stephanie's hand away from the card. "Let me."

Without waiting for a response, she pulled her own card from her bag and handed it to the waitress.

Stephanie immediately protested. "No, I got this."

But Ella insisted, her tone firm, and the waitress walked away with the card.

Once they were back in the car, Ella was fuming. "I'll transfer $50,000 to you. Don't let them push you around."

Stephanie felt a warmth spread through her. For once, someone was standing up for her.

She sighed, trying to brush it off. "It's okay, I really do have the money for myself."

Ella shot her a skeptical look. "How? You don't even have a job. The Hart family's a bunch of animals. I'm going to give them a piece of my mind."

Ella's anger was practically radiating off her.

Stephanie paused, thinking carefully, and then decided to come clean. "I really do have money. Well, it's a long story."

She hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. The truth wasn't exactly simple.

Despite spending the last couple of years with Chris, she wasn't entirely dependent on him or the Hart family.

Ella waved her off, unimpressed. "Fine, I trust you, but take this 50,000 anyway."

Stephanie's been with Chris these past few years. Any money she has is probably from the Hart family. She couldn't have real cash.

Ella couldn't shake her doubts.

Stephanie, practically begging her to stop insisting, said, "Really, I don't need it."

Ella shot back, "I'm just saying..."

No matter how much Stephanie argued, Ella was determined to believe she didn't have anything of her own.

Finally, to prove her wrong, Stephanie dragged Ella to a mall and bought a bunch of things worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Ella's disbelief began to fade.

When she saw the black card Stephanie had used, her eyes widened in surprise. "Where'd you get this black card? Who gave it to you? Chris?"

Now, the only person Ella could imagine giving her a card like that was Chris.

Stephanie stared at the card she had pulled out earlier, her mind momentarily blank.

A wave of emotion surged through her as memories flooded back.

She swallowed before answering, "Chris? No way."

Chris had never been that generous with her.

Ella's eyes widened, and she quickly asked, "Then who gave it to you?"

Since it wasn't Chris, and it couldn't possibly be from the Hart family. Ella's mind started racing. She worried that her friend might be involved in something illegal or mixed up with shady people.

"Who is this generous guy?" Ella asked, tapping her chin thoughtfully, a playful but concerned look on her face.

A soft, distant expression crossed Stephanie's eyes as she thought about the owner of the card, but she didn't answer.

Instead, she grabbed Ella's hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "Let's go."

Without saying anything else, they walked out of the mall together, their bags in hand.

*****

After parting ways with Ella, Stephanie made her way back to Cloudridge Valley.

She'd barely stepped through the door when she ran straight into Chris, who was standing in her way, blocking her entrance.

Chris looked furious. He glanced at his watch, irritation radiating from him. He'd been waiting for two full hours.

"Why did you turn off your phone?" His voice was tight with anger.

Stephanie shot back with a clipped, "It was annoying."

A month ago, Chris hadn't cared about her well-being at all. But today, all of a sudden, he was bombarding her with calls—because of Olivia, no less.

Stephanie reached for her keys to open the door, but before she could even unlock it, Chris grabbed her wrist.

"Stephanie!" His voice was low and forceful.

She glared at him, her eyes cold as ice.

With a sneer, she bit back, "Your true love's in the hospital with no one by her side. How pathetic."

The mention of "true love" hit a nerve with Chris, only fueling his anger. His grip on her wrist tightened as his teeth clenched in frustration.

"We need to talk," he growled.

Stephanie didn't even flinch. "No need."

With one swift motion, she yanked her wrist free and tried to slam the door in his face.

But Chris was faster than she expected, his arm shooting out to stop the door from closing.

In the blink of an eye, he was about to push his way inside when Stephanie kicked out, aiming straight for his groin.

Chris hadn't anticipated the force of her kick. He stumbled back, shocked, and yelled, "You vicious woman!"

He twisted his body just in time to avoid the hit, but it pulled his arm out of the doorframe. That was enough for Stephanie to try and slam the door again.

Chris was quicker this time. He grabbed the door just before it slammed shut and shoved his way inside.

Stephanie glared at him, her voice as frosty as her expression. "I suggest you leave now."

Chris was panting with anger, his words dripping with venom. "I swear you'll regret this."

For the first time, Stephanie let her true violent side show. She was nothing like the delicate, obedient woman Chris had once known.

Chapter 7 Where Did She Get The Money?
Chris walked over to the couch and sat down, pulling out a cigarette from the pack as though it was second nature.

But before he could light it, Stephanie stepped forward without hesitation, snatched it from his hand, and tossed it into the trash.

Chris's face darkened immediately. "What the hell are you doing?"

This was the first time anyone had dared treat him this rudely—especially a woman.

When he was with Olivia, no matter what he wanted, Olivia never questioned him. She just went along with whatever he said or did.

Stephanie clapped her hands together and shut the trash can lid with a soft thud. "Sorry, I just don't like the smell."

Chris stood frozen, his mouth hanging slightly open as if he hadn't fully processed what had just happened.

Countless memories of Stephanie's gentle side flashed through his mind, but they all shattered when he saw the cold, indifferent expression on her face.

In the end, Chris decided to let it go—for now.

His thoughts drifted to the two major news stories that had broken that morning. The Ashford family's phone lines were probably about to get flooded.

His tone softened, almost as if he were trying a new approach. "The news today... was it Ella who sent it out?"

When Stephanie had first mentioned calling off the wedding, Chris hadn't believed her at all. He'd just thought it was another tantrum. But this time? It seemed like she had actually gone too far.

Stephanie didn't answer. She walked over to the fridge, pulled out a small piece of cake, and started eating it as if the conversation didn't matter anymore.

Stephanie hadn't eaten enough during her steak meal at lunch, and after two hours of shopping with Ella, her stomach was practically growling.

Chris watched her, his frustration bubbling up. She acted like he wasn't even there, and it was pushing him to the edge.

He reached for the fridge door and shut it with a slight thud. "The wedding's supposed to be between the two of us," he said, his voice tight with annoyance. "Why do you have to make it a public spectacle?"

He could deal with her venting in private, but this drama she was stirring up in front of everyone? That was another story.

Chris paused for a moment, his mind spinning as he tried to find a reason to forgive her, something, anything, to make sense of it all.

Suddenly, Stephanie let out a small laugh, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Are you serious? Do you really think the wedding is just between the two of us?"

If only it were that simple. She almost wished it were. Things would be so much easier.

Stephanie shot him a cold, dismissive look and added, "Either way, even if I keep it quiet, someone else will spill the beans. It's better if I take control of the narrative."

Chris froze. He immediately understood who "someone" was.

He couldn't help himself. "You shouldn't always think so badly of Olivia," he said, his tone defensive.

Stephanie smirked and took a spoonful of cake, popping it into her mouth like she didn't have a care in the world. "If she wasn't so bad, why'd you have to kick her out of the country for protection two years ago?"

Chris immediately clamped his mouth shut. His face flushed red, like someone who had just swallowed a fly.

The events of two years ago were a sore spot for him—a part of his past he rarely mentioned. He had almost buried it completely.

But now, with Stephanie bringing it up again, his expression darkened.

"That was different," he muttered through clenched teeth. "You were relentless back then. If Olivia hadn't left, I'm afraid you would've really sent her to prison."

Stephanie took another leisurely bite of cake, barely looking at him. "Yeah, I would've."

Chris's face turned darker with anger, but he was careful not to let it show too much. He couldn't lose his temper now—not yet.

Thinking back to everything that had happened, he couldn't help feeling disgusted by Stephanie.

It was because of her constant outbursts that she was stuck in this mess with the Hart family.

But then he reminded himself—now wasn't the time to press her. He still needed the wedding to happen.

Chris's expression softened slightly, trying to regain some control over the situation. "Olivia's just sick. Once she gets better, we'll send her away."

Stephanie gave him a cold, piercing glance but didn't say a word.

Chris continued, pushing his point. "Your parents won't let you keep causing a scene. If this keeps up, it'll only make your life harder."

He knew exactly how much leverage the Hart family had over her.

He could already predict it—if things had gone as expected, her card was probably frozen by now.

Looking around the house, Chris shifted the conversation. "How long's the rent on this place been paid? When's the next payment due?"

He remembered that this house was one Stephanie had rented after leaving the Hart family.

Cloudridge Valley wasn't cheap. The unit she was living in probably cost at least ten thousand a month.

His point was clear: She didn't have the luxury of acting on a whim.

Unexpectedly, Stephanie, still holding her spoon, leaned back in her chair and replied, "You should leave now."

Chris's eyes narrowed, his face darkening even further.

Before he could say anything else, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He glanced at the screen. It was Olivia calling.

Without moving away from Stephanie, he answered. "Olivia."

Stephanie had more or less figured out Chris's mindset. He probably believed that in a marriage, the person who needed help had no right to demand respect.

But she also thought Chris was incredibly dim-witted. He claimed not to want to break up with her, but here he was, shamelessly answering calls from a third party right in front of her.

This time, as she started to cause a scene, Chris's true nature was exposed.

For two years, he'd been wearing a facade, but now, in front of her, he had just ripped it off.

She didn't catch what was said on the other end of the line, but Chris stood up, his face stiff. "Don't worry, I'll be there soon."

After hanging up, he finally turned to face her.

His eyes flicked over her face, which was neither a smile nor a sneer.

He sighed, his tone sharper. "What I said earlier—think it over. No matter how much of a scene you make, you can't steal the spotlight. Everyone will be focused on Olivia's illness right now."

His attitude was clear: he was warning her that causing a spectacle was pointless.

Stephanie didn't respond. Instead, she walked over to the entrance, casually picking up the shopping bags she'd gotten with Ella earlier.

The bags were all from high-end brands, the kind that screamed luxury.

Chris stared at them for a moment, his brow furrowing in confusion.

He double-checked, hesitated, then asked, "You still have money to go shopping?"

His tone was a mix of disbelief and curiosity. He'd assumed the Hart family would punish her for causing trouble, but these bags seemed to tell a very different story.

He knew all too well how the Hart family operated.

Every time Stephanie stepped out of line, they'd freeze her credit card for ten days—or even half a month—just to remind her that she depended on them. If they cut her off, she'd have nothing.

Stephanie shot him a look, her expression unfazed. "Yeah, I've got money to shop. What's the problem? Call the police, arrest me if you want."

Chris blinked, completely taken aback. His mouth opened and closed, but no words came out.

He'd never realized before just how good Stephanie was at infuriating him.

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