Chapter 227

But considering the purpose of her visit, Catlin dared not lose her temper. She suppressed her anger and looked at Elliot. "I am her mother. I have important matters to discuss with her. How can she refuse to see me?"

Her daughter's refusal further enraged Catlin.

Elliot frowned at her claim. "If I remember correctly, Mrs. Hart, you've already severed your relationship with her."

"And who are you to her?" Catlin retorted, barely controlling her anger. Even if they had severed ties, it was between her and Stephanie, none of an outsider's business.

"My relationship with her is separate from her decision not to see you," Elliot replied.

Catlin's breath hitched. Elliot's gaze turned cold. "If she doesn't want to see you, then you won't see her."

"I am her mother," Catlin insisted.

"Legally speaking, you're not." Sebastian had legally processed the signed documents from both Catlin and Stephanie. Catlin was no longer Stephanie Giovanni's mother.

A surge of anger and frustration swelled within Catlin. "I carried her for ten months and gave birth to her, and you're talking about the law?"

"You agreed to sever ties. You signed the documentation," Elliot paused, eyeing Catlin's signature. "Your writing was quite large."

Catlin was speechless, feeling choked. She had signed in anger, and her signature was indeed prominent. Remembering Stephanie's public announcement in Long Harbor, with its enlarged signature, she felt utterly humiliated.

Taking a deep breath, she began, "Yes, I signed. But I am still…"

"Mrs. Hart, the Hart Group's situation is urgent, isn't it? Are you sure you want to be her mother?" Elliot interrupted.

The mention of the Hart Group sent a jolt through Catlin. Remembering Chad and Tyler's phone call about the company's troubles, anxiety overwhelmed her.

"Please tell her again that I have urgent matters to discuss," Catlin pleaded.

"Harassing her is pointless," Elliot replied coldly.

"What…" Mayra's face paled. Catlin, furious and on the verge of exploding, caught sight of Chris.

Elliot, wanting no further conversation, turned to leave. Catlin was about to call after him, but seeing Chris walking away, she pursued him. She had to ask Chris if he had truly come with Stephanie.

Elliot entered the room. From afar, he saw Sebastian working on his laptop, Stephanie seated opposite, both calm and focused. Stephanie seemed particularly well-behaved. Elliot couldn't understand why the Hart family failed to appreciate such a young lady.

Stephanie hugged her laptop, scooting closer to Sebastian. "Sebastian, can you take a look at this for me?" She frowned, sensing something amiss with an image but unable to pinpoint the problem. She reached for a glass of bright red liquid and took a sip.

Sebastian glanced at the red bottle on the table and frowned. "How much have you drunk?"

Stephanie blinked, puzzled. "Huh?"

Sebastian saw her flushed face. His expression darkened. He picked up the empty bottle—she had finished it all.

"What's the matter?" she asked, still seemingly unaware.

"This is wine from Spring Mountain," Sebastian sighed.

Stephanie froze. "Huh? Is this wine?" Surprise registered on her face. She had thought it was juice—the taste was so sweet!

Sebastian nodded slowly. He'd had it brought in to warm for later, but Stephanie had already consumed it all.