Chapter 228

Catlin hurried to catch up with Chris. Seeing her approach, he was surprised. "Mrs. Ashford, why are you here?"

Catlin steadied her breath. "Chris, are you here because of Stephanie?"

Chris stared at his phone, his face paling. Kevin lowered his head. The question clearly concerned him, particularly the way she mentioned Stephanie. He recalled Catlin always calling Olivia "Ollie," yet referred to her own daughter, Stephanie, so formally. This distinction, now apparent to Chris, explained Stephanie's resentment toward the Hart family. Kevin, too, was surprised; Stephanie was Catlin's biological daughter, after all. Just two years prior, the Hart family had even attempted to arrange a match between her and Mr. Giovanni. Now, this attitude?

Chris narrowed his eyes. "Did Olivia send you?" He thought of Olivia's phone call, finding her behavior childish. He'd been working tirelessly while she underwent treatment, now facing significant company problems that kept him from the hospital. Catlin's questioning only added to his frustration.

Catlin hesitated. "No, it's not that. I just..." His stern gaze silenced her. "Well, it's just... Olivia is sick. She's very vulnerable." She continued, "She knows you and Stephanie are both in Mount Spring, and she won't even take her medicine."

Chris's expression darkened. "What?" Hearing this, his concern intensified. Noticing his worry, Catlin pressed on. "She relies on you a lot. If she were better, she might be more rational, but right now, she's fighting for her life." A pang of sorrow struck Catlin, thinking of Olivia's condition. Seeing her distress, Chris's irritation subsided.

He immediately called Olivia. She answered weakly, "Chris."

"Why didn't you take your medicine?" His tone was stern, yet undeniably concerned. Olivia's emotions overflowed; she wept, feeling wronged. Chris sighed. "The company's been incredibly busy lately. Can you please be good for me?"

"I thought you didn't care anymore," she whispered. "You went to Mount Spring... and so did Stephanie." Chris stared at his phone, his face paling. The mention of Stephanie only fueled his irritation. He patiently reassured her, "The company has been incredibly busy. Take care of yourself." The Lucano family had signed with Jackson, and even Fred's intervention hadn't changed the situation. Chris knew the Ashford Group faced significant challenges and lacked the time for hospital visits.

After comforting Olivia, he ended the call. Catlin, observing, noticed his softened attitude, yet diminished patience. He glanced at Catlin. She hesitated before asking, "You really didn't come here because of Stephanie?" Her anxious words darkened Chris's face. He gave her a cold, piercing look before leaving. Catlin instinctively stepped forward. "Chris, I..." But he was exasperated. "What you should be most concerned about is the Hart Group."