Chapter 205

She huffed. “Next time, if you’re going to record something behind his back, at least make it look like I’m the one being bullied.”

Elliot suppressed a laugh. “Being bullied?” She was a little tiger—who could even manage that? Besides, if Sebastian ever saw a video of her actually being bullied, Long Harbor would be awash in blood.

Meanwhile, Catlin anxiously watched as doctors surrounded Olivia, trying to stabilize her. Panicked, she called Tyler. The moment he learned Stephanie had scared Olivia unconscious, he snapped, “I’m on my way to the hospital.” She then hurriedly called Chris, but before she could speak, her phone was snatched away. Startled, she spun around, freezing at the sight of Grace Ashford.

“Mrs. Ashford?” she stammered.

Grace glanced at the screen, her expression darkening. She ended the call and tossed the phone back, causing Catlin to drop it.

Grace’s voice was icy. “Didn’t I tell you? Stop calling Chris.”

“But Olivia—”

“And who is she that everything has to go through Chris?” Grace interrupted sharply.

The remark stunned Catlin. Olivia was critical, fighting for her life, yet Grace, who had practically watched her grow up, dismissed her so casually. A chill settled in Catlin’s heart.

Bitterness crept into Catlin’s voice. “Mrs. Ashford, before Stephanie returned, Olivia was close to Chris. She was practically family. How can you be so heartless?”

Grace narrowed her eyes. “Heartless? Catlin, do you even know what kind of person you raised? Or do you have any idea how she lived these past two years abroad?” Her tone dripped with sarcasm. The Harts might be blind to Olivia’s true nature, but Grace had done her research. Olivia’s multiple ailments were one thing, but her son's infatuation warranted further investigation. Back in Long Harbor, Grace had always considered Olivia a skilled actress. And what she discovered confirmed Olivia’s far-from-innocent past.

Catlin bristled. “What are you trying to say? Are you trying to smear Olivia’s name?”

Grace scoffed. “Smear? Please. She’s already filthy enough. Tell me, Mrs. Hart, have you ever asked your precious Olivia if she had a boyfriend abroad? Or, better yet, how many?”

“That’s outrageous!” The implication sent a tremor through Catlin. Furious, she and Grace engaged in a heated argument in the hospital hallway. Stephanie, having just finished a chess game, returned to find them in a full-blown shouting match.

Grace, barely containing her rage, sneered, “For all we know, she was just another plaything for the Lucano family. And now she has the audacity to act innocent around Chris? You really did a fine job raising her, teaching her to steal your daughter’s fiancé.”

Catlin paled, nearly collapsing from anger. “How dare you? Olivia was decent abroad! She…”

“Decent?” Grace cut her off. “Need I remind you why she left? Because she almost killed Stephanie, and you had no choice but to send her away.”

Catlin gasped.

Grace’s voice sharpened. “A foster daughter nearly murders your real daughter, and you still defend her? Catlin Hart, Stephanie hit the jackpot with a mother like you. No wonder she wants nothing to do with you. Frankly, she’d have to be insane to.”

Catlin trembled, speechless.