Chapter 592

After three years of running away, getting a scolding was inevitable. Michael sternly eyed Stephanie as if he wanted to devour her with his gaze. Over the years, everyone worried Stephanie might get into trouble. Even though they later found out she rarely encountered losses with those folks in Long Harbor, three years of constant worry took a toll on their hearts.

Facing Michael’s stern and cold gaze, Stephanie quickly averted her eyes. “Michael. I was wrong.”

“Why not keep hiding? Are you so afraid of Richard? You’re timid,” Michael said.

Stephanie fell silent. But it wasn’t just Richard causing trouble back then; there were also those forces constantly eyeing the Giovanni family greedily. Even a slight distraction on Sebastian’s part could have led to dire consequences. Stephanie was really scared.

Michael asked, “What’s the name of that family from Long Harbor?”

“The Hart family,” Stephanie replied.

“Not that family.” Michael glared at her angrily. He thought, The family is not a threat at all. Judging by how that family treated Stephanie, if Stephanie still recognized them, it would be a failure in our upbringing.

Stephanie asked, “The Ashford family?”

When the Ashford family was mentioned, Michael snorted again. “If Olivia doesn’t come back, do you truly think you’ll marry him?” Remembering that only a week remained until the wedding, Michael felt a surge of anger in his chest.

Stephanie looked down and murmured, “She’ll come back.”

Michael asked, “How do you know?”

“Olivia can’t stand to see me doing well,” Stephanie replied.

Beth and Michael fell silent. They thought, Is this how Stephanie explained it? However, Stephanie was telling the truth. She was convinced Olivia would rush back to Long Harbor to stop it. Even if Olivia didn’t make it in time, Stephanie had backup plans to ensure she had to return.

In the end, Stephanie took advantage of favorable circumstances. All the negative press was directed at the Ashford and Hart families. During that time, all the gossip overwhelmed Olivia and Chris. Even from a moral standpoint, Stephanie shouldn’t take the blame. Stephanie had everything figured out back then.

“And you still went to try on the wedding dress?” Beth asked.

To Michael and Beth, it suggested Stephanie must like Chris because she tried on a wedding dress. They couldn’t accept it.

Beth asked, “Yeah, Stefi, why did you try on the wedding dress? You need to explain this to me.”

Everything was fine just a moment ago, but mentioning her trying on the wedding dress for Chris made Beth serious.

Stephanie pouted, “Sofia designed the wedding dress. I just wanted to try it on for a bit.” She thought, Stuck in Long Harbor, unable to go home, I wanted to catch a glimpse of Sofia’s design to feel a connection.

Michael was shocked.

Beth asked, “Sofia?”

“Yeah, Sofia designed the dress. I was trying it on to see how it looked,” Stephanie replied. “Why would everyone assume I was trying it on for Chris? But given the circumstances, everyone thought my wedding with Chris was a week away. Trying on the dress made it seem like it was for Chris.”

Beth and Michael exchanged a glance. “Not for Chris?”

Stephanie replied, “Of course not.” She thought, I don’t know why they have such thoughts.

When Stephanie heard Olivia’s name, she was furious, tore the wedding dress, and didn’t even ask them to pay for it. Since that car accident, Stephanie despised Olivia and wished she could give her a lesson.

Hearing Stephanie say that, they felt a bit relieved. “Hmph, it better be as you said, or else I’ll give you a lesson,” Beth said.

Michael said, “Don’t lie to me.”