Chapter 35

Stephanie had no time for such underhandedness. If she wanted something done, she'd do it directly. No games.

Catlin was stunned by Stephanie's bluntness, breathless and speechless. Anger choked her, leaving only a frustrated, "You... how could you..."

Stephanie cut her off sharply. "What, Catlin? You want me to bring Allison back so she can treat Olivia?"

The way Stephanie said "Catlin" made Catlin freeze. Since Stephanie's return, she'd never once called her "Mom," never addressed her formally at all. Hearing "Catlin" now stung; it lacked affection, familiarity—it was deliberate disrespect.

Unable to contain herself, Catlin snapped, "I'm your mother!"

Stephanie's voice was icy. "Do you really want to argue about something so pointless over the phone?" "Mom" wasn't in Stephanie's vocabulary; her options were "Catlin" or "Mrs. Hart."

Catlin's eyes widened at Stephanie's casual indifference. A heavy, painful weight, long settling in her chest, finally sank in.

After several deep breaths, Catlin said, "Get Dr. Pierce back. I'll unlock your credit card." It was a reluctant offer, the best she could manage. She didn't know how else to handle Stephanie.

Stephanie immediately understood: Allison's return to treat Olivia was the condition for unlocking the card. It all came down to Olivia again.

Stephanie chuckled softly. "Six thousand dollars a month, and you think you can buy Olivia's life?" It was almost ludicrous. The Hart family spent more than that on a single piece of Olivia's jewelry; her monthly allowance was never less than one hundred thousand. When Stephanie first returned, she received thirty thousand a month. But then Olivia commented on Stephanie's "luxury lifestyle," predicting she'd be spoiled, prompting Catlin to decide Stephanie needed to "learn to manage money." Her allowance was slashed to fifteen thousand.

Olivia's comment had reshaped the family's financial dynamics. Even with fifteen thousand, Olivia wasn't satisfied, later claiming Stephanie didn't need much money because she lacked a social life. Catlin agreed, arguing that Stephanie didn't need to socialize like other women and thus didn't need to spend as much, given the family provided everything.

Eventually, the allowance was cut to six thousand. Now, because of Olivia's situation, Catlin had even frozen Stephanie's credit card. But Stephanie cared little for the money.

Stephanie's words enraged Catlin. "You're going too far," she hissed. It was clear: Stephanie wasn't a daughter; she was the family's punishment for past mistakes. Catlin regretted bringing her back.

Desperate to resolve Olivia's crisis, she threw caution to the wind. "Fine! What do you want? Name your price!" She considered it a generous offer.

But the only response was a disconnected call. When she tried again, the number was blocked. Catlin felt herself about to explode, her chest tightening, her breath shallow.