Chapter 147

Stephanie raised an eyebrow. Now that was wild.

For all the fuss the Harts and Hodges made about this engagement, Tyler actually had the audacity to parade his mistress and love child in public?

“You knew, didn’t you?” Ella squinted.

“Yes, I do.”

Stephanie didn’t even blink. “Yeah.”

Ella gasped. “Holy shit—it’s really his kid? Then what’s he doing stringing Lilian along?”

The Hodges weren’t known for their open-mindedness. A secret baby? With some random woman? That could easily derail the entire engagement.

Stephanie leaned back. “Long story. The kid’s mother used to work VIP at Velvet.”

Ella nearly choked on her drink.

Velvet?! That sleazy club?

Stephanie calmly slid her a napkin. “Yup. And that’s exactly why the Harts never acknowledged her, or the child.”

“And Tyler? He just left them hanging?”

Stephanie snorted. “Please. You think a guy like Tyler cares?”

He was just looking for a good time and ended up with a permanent souvenir.

“The woman didn’t even show up until the kid turned one, arriving with a DNA test. Unfortunately for her, the Harts slammed the door in her face.”

Ella shook her head, horrified and impressed in equal measure. “And you’ve been keeping all this to yourself?”

Stephanie smirked. “Why waste good gossip on people who don’t deserve it?”

That was Stephanie’s way—not a gossip, and definitely not one to boast. If she were, Ella would have heard long ago that her studio grossed over two million last year. But Stephanie didn't volunteer information unless asked.

Ella stabbed at her salad. “You know Lilian’s going to be furious if she finds out, right? And Jackson?”

The thought of Jackson made Ella laugh. Tyler had to be insane. Of all the messes he could have gotten himself into, he chose this?

“That man’s going to bury Tyler alive.”

Stephanie’s grin turned devilish. “That girl’s no amateur.”

“No way she lets this slide,” Ella agreed. “And if she finds out Tyler’s about to marry into the Hodges? She’s going to set off fireworks visible from space.”

Stephanie didn’t respond immediately, but the spark in her eyes spoke volumes.

“You think she’s about to make a scene?”

“She sat quietly for a year before making her move. She knows how to play the game.”

Ella narrowed her eyes. “Okay, hold up. What are you plotting?”

Stephanie’s smile was pure mischief. “They’ve been harassing me. It’s time I returned the favor.”

Ella paused. Olivia was such a drama queen. “She has three types of cancer and still has the energy to act up?”

Oh, she got it alright. The Harts had been relentlessly tormenting Stephanie—hell no, she wasn't playing nice. They wanted a circus? Cool. Let's turn this into a full-blown shitshow. The more chaos, the better.

Stephanie pulled out her phone, already dialing Elliot. “Dig up everything you can on that woman. We’re going big.” Sebastian was already working behind the scenes; she certainly wasn't going to sit this one out.

Ella’s mouth twitched, barely containing a laugh.

Stephanie ended the call, shaking her head with a half-smile. “Can you believe I almost forgot about her? I’ve been so swamped lately.”

If Sebastian hadn’t intervened, this whole mess probably would have erupted already. She should have considered this sooner.