Chapter 208

As Stephanie packed, Jennifer noticed her limp. "Boss," she asked, "isn't there anything you can do about your leg? Have you seen a doctor?"

The pain worsened with weather changes. Stephanie replied, "It's an old injury, nothing to worry about." It bothered her only during weather shifts; otherwise, she ignored it. She had seen doctors, of course—whenever the pain became unbearable. But aside from physical therapy, medication offered little relief, likely due to her condition. Last night, she vaguely remembered the pain waking her, but it subsided with the warmth. Then, she slept soundly. Thinking back, it felt warm…and perhaps a little damp.

After briefing Jennifer on work matters, her phone buzzed. Assuming it was Sebastian, Stephanie answered without looking. Before she could speak, a furious voice erupted. "Stephanie Giovanni, is that you?"

Confused, Stephanie asked, "What is it?"

Catlin's voice retorted, "The mess at the Hart Group. This is your doing, isn't it?"

Stephanie rolled her eyes. She suspected this concerned the Hart Group's predicament. Given their troubles, suspicion would naturally fall on the Ashford Group first. Once their non-involvement became clear, the blame would likely shift to her.

Before she could respond, Catlin continued, shouting, "It has to be you! Stephanie, do you have any brains? If those men were really helping you take down our family, what do you think they're after?"

Catlin's anger was palpable. She likely wondered if the men supporting Stephanie's lucrative studio were bribing her to act against the Hart family. A sense of conspiracy hung heavy between them. Catlin was on the verge of a meltdown.

Stephanie smirked. "What do they want? They wouldn't be after your family's scraps, would they?"

Catlin seethed. "You…"

Stephanie taunted, "Mrs. Hart, you probably still don't understand why the Ashford Group uses those tactics. Do you think it's just about replacing an adopted daughter with a biological one?"

Catlin was stunned, speechless for a moment.

Before she could reply, Stephanie continued, "At the end of the day, it's because your family's mines have run dry. You have no more value."

"Shut up!" Catlin exploded, unable to bear the implication that the Hart family were mere pawns for the Ashfords. Their families had been close for years.

Stephanie understood Catlin's naive beliefs. "The Ashford family is the top family in Long Harbor. Your family controls a major mine, yet holds no real standing in the city. Why is that?"

Catlin gasped, speechless.

"What nonsense are you spouting?" she finally managed.

Stephanie raised an eyebrow. "Are you telling me that was just basic socializing? If the Hart family truly held the same power as the Ashford family, shouldn't those wives be courting you? Look at you. For years, you've been trying to fit into their circles, but they hardly include you."

Catlin fumed. "You… You…"

Stephanie's sarcastic smile widened. "And you're still going to claim it's not just scraps?"