Chapter 146

Over the years, Stephanie never truly stopped thinking about the Giovannis. She’d watch them from afar, discreetly keeping tabs on their lives.

Ella leaned back. “Honestly? It seems like you had a pretty good life with them.”

Compared to the chaos at the Hart house, Stephanie's life with the Giovannis seemed idyllic. Ever since the Harts brought her back, Olivia had relentlessly targeted her. Yet, with the Giovannis—technically, Stephanie was adopted by them too—they never treated her like an outsider.

Stephanie shrugged. “I guess it helps when they get you as a baby.”

Ella nodded. “Yeah, babies are cute. Hard to hate a baby.” She added, “Still, I bet you were good to them, too. Love's a two-way street, right?”

Whatever happened between her and Olivia wasn't a random spat. Olivia wanted her gone from the start. The whole ordeal with the Harts wasn't a surprise; they attacked her before knowing the facts. After numerous conflicts, it became clear they'd already decided she was the problem. The truth was, from the moment they brought her back, they never treated her like family. Stephanie, however, grew up with the Giovannis, loved, spoiled, and never wanting for affection. So why would she start now?

“Come on,” Stephanie said, rising and grabbing her bag. “Let’s eat.”

Ella followed, but couldn't resist saying, “Oh, by the way, Chris is still frantically searching the city for the owner of Whispering Bay. I swear, I need to see his face when he finds out it's you.”

Those who didn't know the truth remained oblivious. But those in the know? Watching Chris and the Harts stumble around like this was pure comedic gold.

Stephanie smirked. “Don’t spoil the fun yet. Let him sweat.”

Ella chuckled. “He looks particularly foolish when he's frustrated.”

They left for lunch, completely unaware that Catlin arrived immediately after they departed. Jennifer tried calling Stephanie to warn her, but her phone was on silent.

At the restaurant, Ella casually sliced into her steak, as if about to casually drop another bombshell. “Oh, and guess what? Lilian's under house arrest.”

Stephanie raised an eyebrow. “Seriously? I thought Jackson was exaggerating.”

She recalled Jackson mentioning it, but confining his own sister seemed extreme.

If they truly confined her, Lilian must be distraught. Honestly, what does she even see in Tyler?

Ella said, “The girl used to shop twenty-four seven. Now? Radio silence.”

In short, Ella Turner disliked Lilian Hodge far more than Stephanie Giovanni disliked the Hart family.

Stephanie shook her head. “Honestly, that's probably for the best. Otherwise, the Hodge family will need serious damage control.”

Ella blinked. “Why?”

Stephanie leaned back. “Let's just say Tyler isn't exactly the wholesome type.”

This sparked a memory in Ella. She glanced around, then leaned in. “Speaking of Tyler, I think he has a mistress.”

Stephanie's fork paused mid-air.

“I was at the hospital yesterday; my niece had a fever, and guess who I saw?”

“What?”

“Tyler. With some woman. And a child.”

Stephanie froze.

A child of two or three—wasn't Tyler's child around that age?

“And the child? Looked just like him.”

“You seriously got close enough to see?”

“No need to get close,” Ella said, incredulous. “That kid is literally a mini-Tyler. One look and you just know.”