Chapter 150

Back at the auction, Catlin had been there with Olivia. She still remembered Olivia's eyes lighting up at the sight of the yellow diamond. But a thirty-million-dollar gem was beyond the Harts' reach. And now, it adorned Stephanie's neck? What was Stephanie's connection to the buyer?

Stephanie's voice broke through her thoughts. "Sicily Sunrise."

Catlin's breath caught. It really was that diamond. Her heart skipped before she regained her composure. "Who gave it to you?"

Stephanie's smile sharpened. "What's it to you?"

Catlin's expression stiffened. She wanted to retort but remembered her purpose. Lately, Stephanie's attitude toward the family had been icy. But Catlin still considered herself her mother, and this treatment was hard to bear.

Stephanie cut her short. "Get to the point."

Catlin's breath hitched. Why waste time on jewelry when the real reason for her visit was clear? She pushed forward. "Dr. Pierce and Dr. Vitale need to return. We can't delay any longer." The medical team had been pressing for days. Without them, Olivia's chances were dwindling.

Stephanie let out a dry laugh. "You've been avoiding my lawyer all week. I was starting to think you didn't care about Olivia."

Catlin's face paled, then turned ashen. "I'm not signing anything," Catlin's voice sharpened. "Like it or not, you're my daughter. I gave birth to you." She said it as if those words alone should suffice.

But Stephanie wasn't naive. Her smile widened. "Daughter, huh? Let's be real, you don't care about me. You care about what's behind me." They froze her bank cards, kicked her out of the house, and tried to kill her business—nothing worked. Even an idiot would see she had backing. And now Catlin played Mother of the Year? Where was this maternal love when they were cutting her off?

Catlin's jaw clenched. Stephanie continued, "You see this studio bringing in over two million a year, and all you can think is who's funding me, right?"

Catlin's face burned with anger and embarrassment.

Stephanie leaned back, unfazed. "At the end of the day, you're still a businesswoman. Even family is just part of the deal." Still, she hadn't expected the Harts to care this much about Olivia. Olivia had a few tricks up her sleeve, it seemed.

Catlin snapped, "So you won't bring them back unless I sign?" Her frustration boiled over. Fine. If signing was the only way to save Olivia, so be it. She was done trying to reason. Let the city see her walk away from the Harts. She believed that once Stephanie lost her connection to the family and the Ashfords, her so-called powerful allies wouldn't last. But right now, Olivia needed saving.

Stephanie stared at Catlin, calm and steady. That unwavering gaze made Catlin grit her teeth. "Fine. If this is what you want, I'll sign. Happy now?"