Chapter 202

How many times had she explained this over the phone? Why couldn't they grasp it? Catlin's breathing was unsteady. "You… you…"

Fine. She'd given the same explanation over the phone, and she was sticking to it. That was it, right? Fuming, Catlin clenched her fists. Stephanie had no interest in wasting another second.

She was about to walk past them when Olivia stepped in her way. "Stefi, what did you tell the Ashfords? Why are they doing this to me?" Stephanie rolled her eyes. Elliot narrowed his.

At Olivia's words, Catlin turned to Stephanie with a sharp glare. "Yeah, what exactly did you say to them? Why would they send all these people here?" The men surrounding Olivia were clearly there to protect her. Stephanie glanced at them, then back at Olivia.

"Do you really think that highly of yourself?" What had she told the Ashfords? Stephanie scoffed. "Do you honestly believe that because you've always clung to Chris and the Ashfords, I'd care about them too?"

"You…" Olivia's breath hitched. Meeting Stephanie's eyes, she clenched her teeth. "If it wasn't you, then who else could it be?" Catlin fumed. Sure, the Ashfords had already taken issue with Olivia before, but now it was clear these people had been sent by Fred himself.

Fred rarely interfered in the younger generation's affairs. If he had intervened, it was because Stephanie had gone straight to him—enough to enrage him. And to make matters worse, she'd made their falling-out public throughout Long Harbor. The thought made Catlin's chest tighten.

She stared at Stephanie. "What did you tell the Ashfords? Are you still hung up on Chris?" Stephanie rolled her eyes. Elliot was speechless. Everyone else was too, especially Elliot—he looked at Catlin and Olivia as if they were insane.

Stephanie thinking about Chris Ashford? How did they even come up with that notion? Olivia stepped forward, tugging at Stephanie's sleeve. "Stefi, I know you're mad at me for coming back and ruining things between you and Chris, but—"

Before Olivia could finish, Stephanie yanked her arm away, disgust evident on her face. She stared at the spot Olivia had touched as if it were contaminated. Thrown off balance, Olivia stumbled and fell hard, crying out in pain.

Catlin gasped, her voice breaking. "A—" Panicked, she rushed to Olivia's side. The doctor had warned them; Olivia needed to be extra careful. Cain rushed to help his daughter; Olivia was deathly pale.

"Mom, don't blame Stef. This is all my fault. I wronged her," Olivia whispered weakly. Stephanie rolled her eyes. Elliot blinked in surprise. It was clear Donora Sebastian was letting Stephanie handle things her own way; his overprotectiveness hadn't changed.

What kind of performance was this? Stephanie couldn't understand Olivia's actions. Was she trying to garner Chris's or the Hart family's sympathy? But seriously, hadn't Olivia already burned every bridge—both with Chris and her own family? Selling this whole act was some sort of pathetic victim ploy.

Stephanie crossed her arms. "If you don't want me to slap you, you'd better drop the performance." Catlin's face twisted with anger as she looked at Olivia, pale and shaken on the ground. She turned to Stephanie, fury in her eyes. "Can't you see one of your long-time friends?"