Chapter 104

“Alright, Chris, stop worrying about Stefi. I’ll be fine,” Olivia placated. Chris remained apprehensive, especially after Stephanie’s outburst. Olivia repeatedly reassured him, promising to be careful. Finally, he left, but stayed close by, ready to intervene at the first sign of trouble.

Once alone with Olivia, Stephanie barely glanced at her. Olivia, angered by Stephanie’s arrogance, declared, “Chris is buying Whispering Bay for me. You know that, right?”

“Didn’t we discuss this on the phone? I told you, you can’t live there,” Stephanie replied.

“But Chris told me today he already bought it and is working on it. He’ll let me move in soon to recuperate,” Olivia said smugly.

Stephanie raised an eyebrow. “That’s what he told you?” She mused, He’s really trying to appease Olivia.

Olivia nodded. “Are you envious?”

Stephanie rolled her eyes. “Congratulations. When are you moving in? Party? Remember to invite me.”

“Of course. I’ll be moved in within half a month,” Olivia promised. For years, wealthy families had coveted Whispering Bay, those unable to purchase it relentlessly pursuing the owner, hoping to marry their daughters to him. Olivia firmly believed she would soon be its mistress, the envy of all Long Harbor women.

“Stephanie, I told you to leave Long Harbor. Nothing here belongs to you,” Olivia declared, her tone brimming with triumph.

Upon Stephanie’s return, Olivia, lying in her hospital bed, reiterated her warning: leave Long Harbor; the Hart family was not her place.

Stephanie chuckled. “You’re quite arrogant, aren’t you?” An adopted daughter, so arrogant…how ridiculous, she thought.

Olivia asked, “Have you decided to leave yet?”

“Leave? Do you think you can threaten me?” Stephanie sneered. Threatening me here? How ridiculous!

Olivia declared, “I know you have a lucrative studio, earning over two million dollars a year. But don’t worry, that won’t last much longer.” Her smugness intensified.

“How so?” Stephanie asked, her eyes hardening.

Olivia explained, “Your brother and ex-fiancé have joined forces to shut down your studio.”

This wasn’t unexpected. Stephanie knew Chris and Tyler would likely sabotage her. Hearing Olivia's gossipy tone, however, only further chilled her.

Olivia sneered, “Your family never accepted you, and Chris never loved you. You’ve been back in Long Harbor for so long with nothing to show for it. Why bother annoying people? It's best for everyone if you leave.”

“You want me to leave that much?” Stephanie asked, pausing her nail filing, her gaze unwavering. She hadn’t expected Olivia's urgency. “So anxious for me to leave? Olivia, let me guess…”

“Why would I be in a hurry?” Olivia interrupted, her heart pounding. She was desperate for Stephanie to leave before the truth came out.

Stephanie raised an eyebrow and chuckled. “Really? But why do I feel like you’re in such a hurry?”

Olivia was stunned.