Chapter 175

Stephanie texted Sebastian to gauge his mood. Since meeting any man, she'd felt a nagging unease, even if she wasn't interested. Sebastian's lack of immediate response relieved her. Then her phone buzzed; it was Grace. Stephanie hung up and blocked the number. She was finished with the Hart family. She loathed pointless chatter, especially from those who considered themselves her superiors. Soon, a landline number called—likely the Ashfords. Again, she hung up and blocked it.

Allison's call she answered. "Allison," she said.

"The Harts are unraveling," Allison reported.

"Good. Are they bothering you?" Stephanie asked.

"Yes, incessantly. Olivia's doctors keep changing, and they're constantly harassing me."

"It's the complexity of her cancer, isn't it? Several types?" Stephanie surmised.

"The hospital says it's deteriorating rapidly, spiraling out of control."

Raising an eyebrow, Stephanie said, "So, Olivia's on her deathbed?" Would she live long enough for Stephanie to keep her $300,000 bet? What if Olivia died from stress?

"We don't know if she'll die, but the Hart family and Chris are freaking out."

"Did they threaten you?"

Threats were the Harts' and Chris's standard operating procedure. Their past actions showed they'd gladly crush her.

Allison chuckled. "They wouldn't dare."

"You're right," Stephanie agreed. How could she forget Allison's connection to Calvin Harlow? No one dared provoke him. No wonder Chris and the Harts hadn't crossed Allison. If they had, they wouldn't be bothering her now.

"When are you coming back?" Allison asked.

"Calvin wants me to stay awhile. I'm not returning anytime soon."

"Man, you're really going to drive Chris and the Harts crazy." They were probably waiting for her return like children anticipating a holiday; her delay would infuriate them.

"If I don't come back, will the Hart family cause problems for you?" Allison hadn't spoken to Ella, so she didn't know Stephanie was with Sebastian. She worried that antagonizing the Harts might harm Stephanie.

"Don't worry. They're too weak to mess with me."

"Okay. Let me know if you need anything."

As long as Stephanie avoided the Harts' wrath, everything would be fine. Stephanie despised the Harts, remembering Mrs. Hart's smugness during the Pierce family's downfall. Now, karma had caught up with the Harts. They chatted further before hanging up.

Later, Stephanie called Ella. "Having lunch with you again? Sebastian's going to have my hide," she joked. A protective brother like him wouldn't tolerate anyone trying to steal his sister.

"Don't worry. He's busy all day."

"Great." Knowing Sebastian would be occupied, Ella agreed to lunch. Otherwise, she'd be too afraid of his reprisal.

Meanwhile, Jackson and Landyn waited a half-hour for Elliot. Never in Long Harbor had anyone dared make them wait; yet, neither Jackson nor Landyn complained. Elliot led them to a small, unassuming café. As they entered, they noticed numerous bodyguards lurking in the shadows.

"Did you see what those men had at their waists?" Landyn whispered to Jackson.

Jackson replied, "What do you think?"

Landyn fell silent. Guns, perhaps? No wonder Chris was losing to Sebastian. Sebastian was decisive and ruthless; he could easily eliminate Chris if he chose.