Chapter 203

Regret washed over Olivia like a tidal wave. She had never felt such profound remorse. Bringing Stephanie back had been a terrible mistake.

With trembling hands, she dialed Tyler. His exhausted voice answered, "Mom?"

"Get rid of Stephanie," she commanded. "I want her out of Long Harbor. Now."

Stephanie rolled her eyes. "So, this was the plan all along?" She wondered if everything Olivia had done—cutting ties with Chris and the Hart family—was a calculated effort to drive her out of town. Her mind raced back to Elliot's investigation and the missing thirty thousand dollars. This was connected somehow. Someone wanted her gone, and there was more to this than met the eye.

Tyler sighed, "What now?" Work had been chaotic lately, and after an all-nighter, the last thing he wanted was another Stephanie-related crisis. Catlin's voice, sharp with rage, cut through the phone. "If she stays in Long Harbor, Olivia's as good as dead! She's going to ruin her!" Tyler's headache intensified. "Why is she even messing with Olivia? Didn't she already cut ties with us?" If Stephanie had severed ties, she had no reason to remain involved.

"I don't care," Catlin snapped. "Just get rid of her." All she wanted was for Stephanie to disappear.

Tyler was growing irritated. After the fiasco of shutting down Stephanie's studio, he knew better than to act rashly. That hadn't worked—how could they possibly force her out of Long Harbor? He had no doubt now—whoever was backing Stephanie was a formidable opponent.

"You hear me?" Catlin demanded when he didn't immediately respond. Her frustration exploded. "Are you really going to stand by and watch Olivia die?"

Tyler's breath hitched. After a brief silence, he muttered, "I'll handle it," and hung up.

Chapter 203 (continued)

Catlin glared at Stephanie. "Just wait."

Stephanie smirked. "With the Hart family's power, I expected to be out of Long Harbor by now." Her words were sharp and cutting.

Elliot glanced at her, intrigued. Stephanie tilted her head, her gaze sweeping over Olivia, who clung to Catlin. Then she smiled. "Elliot," she said, "about that thirty thousand dollars I asked you to track—any progress?"

Olivia gasped, panic flooding her eyes. Her body trembled violently.

Stephanie arched a brow, amusement in her gaze. If Olivia wanted a performance, she'd give her one worth watching.

Olivia's face drained of color. Thirty thousand dollars—was Stephanie talking about the money she had given someone? How did Stephanie know?

Catlin frowned. "What thirty thousand dollars?" Her confusion deepened. More importantly, why was Olivia shaking uncontrollably? She glanced at Olivia, who looked deathly pale. Olivia fought to regain composure, but her body wouldn't stop trembling.

Stephanie's smirk widened. "What thirty thousand dollars? Shouldn't that question be directed at Miss Hart?"

Olivia froze. Her face became even paler. Stephanie knew. About the ten thousand dollars she had given someone. But how? How did she know?