Chapter 51

“Miss Giovanni is at Whispering Bay,” Kevin replied.

Tyler’s expression darkened at the news. “What’s she doing there?” he sneered. Was she severing ties with the Hart family, seeking escape, or attempting to ingratiate herself with Whispering Bay's mysterious owner? He scoffed inwardly. Few men in Long Harbor would give Stephanie a second glance. The owner of such a prestigious Long Harbor property had to be immensely wealthy. If Stephanie believed she had a chance, she was delusional.

Kevin hesitated. “No clue,” he replied. Stephanie hadn't been talkative, and Whispering Bay was notoriously secretive.

Chris’s face hardened. He shot Kevin a sharp glance. “Find out who owns that place. Fast.” He clearly wasn't letting this go. Olivia’s fear mirrored his own; he feared she wouldn't survive this. He wanted to grant her every wish in what might be her final days.

Kevin sighed and nodded. “Got it.”

Catlin had barely left Olivia’s side for two days. Witnessing Olivia repeatedly succumb to agonizing pain was brutal. Just as Chris was about to approach, his phone rang—Grace.

“Chris, get home. Now. I have something to ask you.” Grace’s tone was serious.

Chris glanced at the finally sleeping Olivia and sighed. “Alright.”

He hung up to find Catlin watching him, sorrow etched on her face.

“Chris, Olivia just blacked out from the pain again,” she said, her voice choked with emotion. “It would be wonderful if Dr. Pierce were here. I hear she’s not only skilled at managing the illness but also excellent at pain control.”

Chris was even more determined to secure Dr. Pierce's return, but his efforts—pressuring the hospital director, personally calling Dr. Pierce—were fruitless. Even the memory of Dr. Pierce's sharp tone gave him a headache.

“Chris, you’ve got to figure something out. Olivia’s suffering,” Catlin pleaded, her voice breaking.

Chris exhaled sharply. “I know. I’m working on it.”

“And one more thing… with Olivia’s health… you and her…” Catlin trailed off, struggling to articulate her thoughts. She'd always wanted Chris and Olivia together, but witnessing Olivia's suffering and the endless medical reports, she knew the Ashford family would never accept her now. Pressuring them would only anger them, potentially jeopardizing the Hart family’s position. Weighing her options, she took a deep breath.

“You need to stop dragging things out with Stephanie. And as for Dr. Pierce, I don’t care what it takes—we need to get her back.” She had wanted Chris by Olivia’s side, but now, what was the point? Chris wasn't a doctor; the key was Dr. Pierce, and she was connected to Stephanie.

Chris's expression darkened at the mention of Stephanie. He already knew what his mother's call was about. He was surprised Stephanie had charmed the older generation at home.

An hour later, Chris arrived at the Ashford family manor, where Grace waited.

“What did you promise me yesterday, Chris?” Grace yelled, her voice laced with venom, her face thunderous. “You said you wouldn’t see Olivia again!” Olivia's condition was infuriating, particularly given her youth. How could she marry Chris?

Chris’s jaw tightened. “Forget about me and Stephanie,” he replied.

“What did you just say? Are you seriously still considering Olivia?” Grace was unconvinced.

“This has nothing to do with her,” Chris interrupted. Before last night, Olivia might have been an obstacle with Stephanie, but after Cloudridge Valley, his anger was directed at the mysterious man with Stephanie.

Chris’s tone was firm. “It just isn’t about Olivia.” He knew what Grace meant: his entire extended family—grandparents, parents—opposed his marriage to Olivia. With their united opposition, a future together was impossible.

“Chris, you—” Grace snapped, clearly annoyed. The tension was unbearable, neither side yielding.

“Fine. You don’t have to marry Stephanie,” Grace conceded. “But don’t forget why we were even considering the Hart family in the first place.”

The Hart family possessed an exceptionally rare mineral deposit, one of few globally. More importantly, its resources were precisely what the Hart family coveted. But the mine was nearly depleted. The Ashfords needed a new supplier.

Grace rubbed her forehead. “Your uncle just got word—someone big just arrived in Long Harbor.”

Chris’s pupils narrowed. He knew Grace referred to the Fiorenza heir, who controlled a similar—but ten times larger—mine.

“Right, the heir of the Lucano family.” Grace nodded. “You need to find a way to establish a connection. If we can secure that, we won’t need the Hart family at all.”