Chapter 116

Stephanie chuckled softly. “Mrs. Hart, you truly know when to bow and when to strike, don't you?” A moment ago, she was discussing kidnapping her own daughter; now, she was practically begging. Stephanie had encountered many shameless individuals, but Catlin was in a league of her own.

Catlin met Stephanie's mocking gaze, her chest tightening. However, she had no other choice; Olivia's condition was worsening by the second. "I'm sorry," Catlin whispered, "It's all my fault." It wasn't merely an apology; it was a complete surrender, each word spoken for Olivia.

Stephanie scoffed. "You're mistaken. My lawyer will contact you soon. Just sign the papers when he does." She was finished with them; every moment entangled with the Harts brought her misery. Without another word, she left with Elliot.

Catlin watched her go, her chest aching. Tyler struggled to rise, the abdominal pain slowly receding. The man with Stephanie was clearly trained; that single kick felt like it had nearly ruptured his organs.

"What papers does she want you to sign?" Tyler asked.

Catlin paused, then realized Stephanie meant what she'd said: she was severing ties. Her anger flared, her head pounding. "What else could it be? She wants to cut us off completely."

Tyler and Chris exchanged stunned glances. Catlin sneered bitterly. "Before, I didn't understand her confidence. Now I do." Her voice dripped with resentment. She'd thought Stephanie's threats were empty, but now understood she had powerful backing.

"She thinks she can rely on those men and walk away? She'll regret it!" Tyler spat, convinced Stephanie would one day realize her mistake, and they wouldn't let her retract it.

Catlin agreed silently. "For now, what do we do?" she asked.

"You sign the papers. Let Allison and Marco return first," Tyler said immediately. He wasn't worried; once he gathered information on Stephanie's associates, he would deal with her accordingly.

Catlin exhaled sharply, nodding. "Right now, we have no other choice." Olivia's safety was paramount.

Chapter 116 (continued)

On the way to visit Mrs. Blackwood, Elliot kept glancing at Stephanie. She noticed and sighed. "If you have a question, just ask."

Elliot didn't hesitate. "Miss Giovanni, you're not one to endure mistreatment. How did you let those people torment you for two years?" Having worked closely with Sebastian, Elliot perceived Stephanie as untouchable, someone raised as a princess. She wouldn't let herself be used, let alone be burdened by the Harts.

Stephanie smirked. "Torment? What torment? I don't believe I suffered at all."

Elliot frowned. "But wouldn't you have severed ties long ago?" He particularly couldn't understand her engagement to Chris.

Stephanie chuckled. "You're right. Normally, I would have left without hesitation. But I never forgot why I left the Giovanni family...or why I distanced myself from Sebastian."

A flicker of pain crossed her eyes as she mentioned leaving the Giovanni family. Even after all this time, the memory stung; the hurt had been unbearable. Sebastian had been in the darkest period of his life, and she'd wanted to stay, to weather the storm with him, but couldn't.

Elliot's voice softened. "Because the Casalini family was watching you?"

Stephanie looked down at a faint scar on her palm, then nodded quietly.