Chapter 82
"What does she think we are, a bunch of fools?" Catlin fumed.
"Mom, don't be upset," Olivia said. "I think Stephanie felt the money wasn't enough. She could have just asked. We..." Olivia paused mid-sentence. Even without finishing, everyone agreed Stephanie was being unreasonable. They even suspected the money she earned was illicit, focusing solely on shutting down her studio.
They left Olivia's ward. Chad instructed his assistant to contact Stephanie, who, after several calls, was finally reached. Stephanie was playing a game.
"Miss Giovanni," the assistant said, "Mr. Hart is at the cafรฉ opposite Cloudridge Valley. Please come out."
Stephanie raised an eyebrow. "And if I don't?"
"Then your studio is as good as gone," the assistant said forcefully.
Another threat. Stephanie chuckled coldly. "Let him try. Then we'll talk." She was tired of their days-long campaign of threats and frozen cards. She hung up.
Chad's assistant stared blankly after the abrupt call. The waiter had just delivered Chad's coffee. Noticing his assistant's expression, Chad frowned. "What's wrong?"
"She says you can shut down her studio; she won't come."
Chad was livid. "You didn't tell her I'm here?"
"I did, but she refused."
"Then go get her."
Chad's fury escalated. He'd been out of touch with Tyler and unaware that Stephanie wasn't actually at Cloudridge Valley. He stormed over, banging on her door for ten minutes without response. The noise eventually drew complaints from neighbors and even the property management.
Chad stormed downstairs, noticing the darkened windows of Stephanie's apartment. "Is she not home? What time is it?"
His assistant checked his phone. "Past ten."
"A girl out this late? If she didn't want to stay with the Hart family, I shouldn't have let her move out. No one bothered to supervise her, and now she does as she pleases."
"Call her. Find out where she is."
"I tried from the cafรฉ. My number's blocked."
Chad's anger intensified at the word "blocked." She was blocking everyone, even her father. Furious, he returned to the hospital and berated Catlin, blaming her for failing to discipline Stephanie and keep tabs on her after she moved out.
Catlin, equally furious, retorted, "What do you mean I didn't discipline her? Who could discipline her? You?"
Stephanie had been fixated on Olivia for years, even after Olivia was expelled from the Hart family. Catlin had attempted discipline, but Stephanie refused to cooperate.
"Mom, Dad, stop," Olivia pleaded. Seeing her parents fight triggered a painful convulsion. Both Chad and Catlin were startled.
Catlin screamed, "Olivia! What's wrong? Doctor! Get the doctor!"