Chapter 537

“Yeah, home is always better,” Lottie agreed, her voice turning sharp. “I still can’t believe how the Hart family treated her in Long Harbor. I can’t even stand making Stefi uncomfortable for a second, and they almost killed her.”

Heather quickly responded, “But Mrs. Lucano, you and Mr. Giovanni took care of them, didn’t you? You really gave them a piece of your mind.”

“I’m still mad about it,” Lottie muttered.

“Yeah, poor Ms. Giovanni really went through a lot this time,” Heather said with sympathy.

Lottie sighed. “At least she’s smart. She didn’t fall for those idiots outside. Her taste is still pretty good.”

“That’s true,” Heather agreed. “Mr. Giovanni’s always treated Ms. Giovanni like a princess. She’d never go for those guys.”

Lottie seemed to relax a little when she heard that. “Well, I guess Sebastian’s been good to Stefi all these years for a reason.”

They continued talking in Fiorenza’s language.

On her way back, Stephanie had been wondering how to face Lottie, especially about her and Sebastian. But after overhearing their conversation, she suddenly felt completely at ease.

Sebastian glanced at her. “Not nervous anymore?”

Stephanie nodded. “Nope. Not nervous anymore.”

‘Mom has said that, so what’s there to worry about? Just apologize and soften up a bit,’ she thought.

That was how Stephanie had always seen the Giovanni family, like home. Ever since she was little, she believed that if she just admitted her mistakes and apologized, everything would be okay. It was nothing like the Hart family in Long Harbor. At first, their twists and turns confused her, but eventually, she realized how awful they were.

Lottie kept asking Heather, “Do you think Stefi will like this? And this one?”

After not seeing Stephanie for years, Lottie asked Heather about everything, worried Stephanie wouldn’t like the things she prepared.

Before Heather could answer, Stephanie’s voice rang out. “I like it. I like everything.”

Lottie, who had her back to the door, froze when she heard Stephanie’s voice.

Just as Stephanie thought Lottie would turn around and she could rush over to hug her, it didn’t happen as she expected. Lottie stayed frozen with her back still to Stephanie, and Stephanie’s heart skipped a beat. Then, she noticed Lottie’s shoulders trembling slightly.

Stephanie’s heart tightened. She took a few slow steps forward. “Mom?”

Lottie still didn’t turn around. As Stephanie got closer, she saw Lottie’s shoulders shaking more clearly.

This time, without hesitation, Stephanie rushed up behind Lottie and wrapped her arms around her. “Mom, I’m back,” she said softly, her voice breaking.

Finally, Lottie turned around and pulled Stephanie into a tight hug. “You little brat! You needed someone to pick you up to come back? Can’t you find your own way home?” Her voice was reproachful but full of love.

Lottie was tall, and Sebastian had inherited her genes, making him tall, too. Compared to Sebastian, Stephanie was pretty short, and she was still tiny in front of Lottie. But this time, she was at least at Lottie’s neck level.

As Lottie scolded her, Stephanie rubbed her cheek against Lottie’s neck. “Mom, please don’t be mad. I know I was wrong.”

“If you don’t explain yourself clearly today, I’m never forgiving you,” Lottie said, still sounding a bit annoyed.

Stephanie felt too embarrassed to respond and stayed silent.

“Well, did you call someone else Mom?” Lottie asked, her tone turning serious.

Stephanie blushed, thinking, ‘Someone else? Catlin?’

“I swear I didn’t,” she said quickly.