Chapter 46

After leaving Cloudridge Valley, Sebastian felt frustrated. He had supported Stephanie financially for years, but he hadn't expected her to neglect herself so thoroughly. Elliot arrived after a phone call and drove Stephanie to Whispering Bay. Stephanie's shock was evident upon seeing the mansion. "Is this yours?" she asked Sebastian, her eyes wide. He replied casually, "It's yours."

The sprawling, luxurious mansion was in Stephanie's name. She froze, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Mine?" she asked. "Yes. You said you liked it a while back," Sebastian said calmly. Stephanie was astonished. She had no recollection of mentioning the place, yet she recognized it. Chris had once tried to discover the owner, but even Kevin's efforts had yielded nothing.

"So, we're living here now?" she asked, still processing the information. "That's right. I have business in Long Harbor, so we're staying here for a while," Sebastian answered smoothly. Stephanie didn't press for details; she understood his way of operating—he only volunteered information when necessary. With Sebastian and Elliot's help, she eventually settled in at Whispering Bay.

"This was actually a coming-of-age gift from Mr. Giovanni," Elliot remarked casually as he led her to her room. "Though it wasn't given on your eighteenth birthday, it's not too late now."

The mention of a "coming-of-age gift" brought tears to Stephanie's eyes. She remembered Sebastian's promise to give her a special gift for her coming-of-age, something she had truly desired. Before her father's accident, everything had been prepared, with Sebastian himself designing the gift. Such a pity, she thought, a quiet sigh escaping her. "Yeah," she replied softly, trying to control her bittersweet emotions. "It's never too late."

She knew the Casalini family had been completely suppressed by Sebastian, who now stood at the pinnacle of power in Fiorenza. No one could harm Sebastian or threaten her anymore.

"Take a good rest, Miss. The kitchen is preparing breakfast, and Mr. Giovanni will join you once his video conference is over," Elliot added. Stephanie nodded. "Alright."

Her room overlooked the sea. As she entered, she saw the breathtaking sunrise slowly emerging from the horizon, the sun breaking free from the ocean, casting a stunning beauty that filled her with awe. She remembered now—she had once said she liked this place. Fiorenza was landlocked, and her greatest wish had been to see the sun rise from the sea. She never imagined Sebastian had remembered.

Meanwhile, at the hospital, Olivia had suffered through a terrible night. Catlin, unable to restrain her tears, stood by her side, heartbroken by her suffering. Tyler also remained, his frustration palpable. He had made two desperate phone calls the previous night, hoping for a miracle. However, even the strongest painkillers proved ineffective; nothing could ease Olivia's torment.

It was then that Chris returned. Catlin rushed to him, her voice trembling with urgency. "Chris, what happened? Did Stephanie agree to call Dr. Pierce?" Chris didn't answer verbally, but shot a bitter glance at Olivia. That one look conveyed the bad news: Stephanie had refused.

Catlin's composure shattered. "How could she be so heartless? This is a matter of life and death!" she exclaimed. Olivia's face contorted in pain. She glanced at Chris briefly before turning away, quietly wiping away a tear. Chris's disdain for Stephanie intensified as he watched. His jaw clenched, his emotions tightly controlled.

Desperate, Catlin immediately dialed Stephanie's number, but received only a cold, robotic voice. The call had been blocked. "How dare she…" she muttered. Fuming, she grabbed a nurse's phone and dialed again. This time, the call connected. Without waiting for Stephanie to speak, she unleashed her anger.

"Stephanie! What is wrong with you?" she barked. "I've tolerated your behavior before, but this is too much! How can you act like this when Olivia's life is on the line?"

Stephanie's response was icy and dismissive. "Mrs. Hart, is this a lecture? Seems like you've lost the right to tell me what to do."

Catlin's hand trembled as she held the phone, her chest tight with fury. She couldn't tolerate such disrespect, especially from her own child. Through gritted teeth, she forced herself to speak. "No matter what you call me, I'm still your mother—your real mother. That's something no one can change."

But Stephanie responded with a mocking laugh. "Real mother, huh? Then your idea of motherhood is truly a sight to behold."