Chapter 62

This was Stephanie's way. After leaving the Giovanni family, she'd endured bullying and fought back relentlessly. If anyone struck her, she struck back. If anyone insulted her, she returned the insult. She would not be abused passively.

Lilian yelled, "Damn you, bitch! I'm glad Chris dumped you. You easy woman! Shame on you!"

Stephanie retorted, "What the fuck are you saying? I dumped him!" She didn't want to waste time with Lilian. As Olivia's friend, Lilian's animosity wasn't surprising.

Lilian sneered, "You dumped him? You must have hooked up with a richer man! You'll regret it, Stephanie." Before Stephanie could reply, Lilian continued, "Have you heard? Chris will spend billions acquiring Whispering Bay for Olivia. Have you heard of Whispering Bay?" Her tone dripped with complacency.

Whispering Bay? Stephanie glanced around her room.

Lilian boasted, "You haven't heard, you bumpkin! Whispering Bay is the finest seaside manor in Long Harbor. It's far larger than any park you've ever seen. Huge, isn't it? Think about it—what did you get as his fiancée? Nothing. What a shame." Lilian continued her tirade.

Stephanie sneered, "Whispering Bay? Are you sure Chris will acquire it for Olivia?"

"He is buying it!" Lilian insisted. "Wait and see. You'll never have a man buy such an expensive manor for you!"

Stephanie rolled her eyes. "Don't boast so prematurely until he actually buys it." Lilian was just a foolish girl clinging to Olivia for Tyler's sake. It was a shame she didn't know what a jerk Tyler was—unmarried yet already the father of a two-year-old illegitimate son.

Stephanie hung up decisively. Talking to Lilian was pointless. As soon as she disconnected, Ella called.

Chapter 62 (continued)

Stephanie answered, "Ella?"

"Stephanie, I heard some important news," Ella said, her voice agitated. "Chris is acquiring Whispering Bay for Olivia. He's trying desperately to contact the owner. He must be mad, isn't he?"

Stephanie remained silent.

"Don't you think something's wrong with him? Why doesn't his family stop him?" Ella continued. She disliked Olivia—too greedy, too hypocritical, mean, and hostile to Stephanie, the Harts' real daughter. Everyone in Long Harbor knew Olivia was the favored child. It was a shame.

Stephanie understood Ella's concerns. "Don't worry," she reassured her. "Whether the Ashford family interferes or not, he won't get what he wants."

"Why? How can you be so sure?"

"He's always wanted Whispering Bay. If he could have afforded it, he would have already. This news must be Olivia's doing."

"What? That's underhanded."

Chapter 63