Wednesday, March 12

Chapter 190

Chris was unraveling. Watching that man's car arrive, recent events replayed in his mind. "Since when did this place have an owner?"

"Not long," Kevin replied after a moment's thought, "maybe a month ago." Everyone had assumed the estate was vacant.

Chris scoffed. "A month, huh?" A lot had happened in that time. Ever since postponing his wedding to Olivia, trouble had followed. But one thing stood out—his encounter with that man at Cloudridge Valley. After that, he never saw Stephanie there again; instead, she'd turned up here.

So, that man… he owned this estate? Chris closed his eyes, his body radiating cold fury. Olivia. Why did she keep appearing in his life like a persistent ghost? It was bad enough she was linked to Marco and Allison. Now, she was connected to this place, too? She had to be doing this deliberately. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.

Kevin hesitated. "Should we ask Miss Giovanni about it?" From the looks of things, she was staying here. If Chris wanted to buy this place for Olivia's recovery, he'd have to go through her.

Chris's expression darkened. "Ask her what? So she can humiliate Olivia?"

Kevin fell silent. Looking at the situation, both Chris and Olivia had been completely manipulated by Stephanie. They'd exhausted themselves trying to buy the estate, only to discover she'd been living there all along. The frustration burning inside Chris was unbearable.

His phone buzzed—his father, Fred. He ignored the call, but then Kevin's phone rang. Unlike Chris, Kevin couldn't ignore Fred. "Sir," Kevin answered respectfully.

Fred's voice was sharp and commanding. "Give the phone to Chris." The anger in his tone made it clear—if Chris were present, Fred would likely tear him apart. Kevin glanced at the backseat, where Chris sat with his eyes closed. Covering the receiver, he murmured, "Sir, it's your father."

Chris sighed, opened his eyes, and took the phone. "Father."

"You went to Whispering Bay again?" Fred's voice was ice-cold. For weeks, Chris had been focused on acquiring the place to give Olivia a quiet retreat.

Chris remained silent.

"You really think my words mean nothing to you?" Fred's voice grew even more dangerous.

Chris took a deep breath. "I'll be meeting the heir of the Lucano family today." His tone was serious, but exhaustion underlay it.

Fred didn't hesitate. "Forget it." He hung up.

The abrupt call surprised Chris. His father never let things go so easily. A strange unease washed over him.

Half-asleep, Stephanie ignored her buzzing phone, silencing it. When she finally woke past 7 PM, her screen showed numerous missed calls from unknown numbers. Just as she was about to check them, another call came in. She accidentally answered. "Stephanie speaking."

Chris's voice, simmering with restrained anger, filled the line. She exhaled sharply. "Are you haunting me? You just won't let up." So all those unknown numbers were him? Had he used every Ashford Group employee to call her?

"That man—he owns Whispering Bay, doesn't he?" Chris's voice was tight, each word laced with frustration. Now she was fully awake. "What are you getting at?"

"Tell him to sell it to me. Name a price, anything goes."

Olivia blinked. He'd clearly been frantic all afternoon trying to reach her. Now that he had, he cut straight to the point—no pretense, just pure forcefulness.

Stephanie scoffed. "You wanna buy it?"

"Yeah! Name your price!"

She laughed shortly. "Seriously? He owns an entire stretch of the Shallow Bay Area, and you think he needs your pocket change?"

Chris's expression darkened instantly. "What did you just say?" This woman—was she mocking the Ashford family?

Stephanie smirked. "Look, Chris, let's not play games. Sure, the Ashfords are the richest in Long Harbor, but tell me—how much can you really afford?" Her words cut to a truth no one dared speak aloud, and she had no qualms about revealing it. She smirked. "Everyone in Long Harbor says you're the most promising Hart heir. But let's be real—you were the only son. No competition. They hyped you up, and you actually believed it?"

Brutal. And painfully true.