Chapter 65

Catlin exploded. “Can’t thirty thousand dollars satisfy you? What on earth do you want?”

Catlin expected gratitude from Stephanie; thirty thousand dollars was an enormous sum for a country girl. Stephanie's refusal to reveal her adoptive parents' information led Catlin to believe they were unsophisticated. She despised Stephanie's secrecy. Two years ago, she would have paid them handsomely, but their apparent lack of refinement changed her mind.

“I want nothing,” Stephanie replied, reluctant to negotiate.

“Don’t be so sure,” Catlin retorted. “If you’re driven out and become a vagrant, I won’t feel sorry.” She made it clear she wouldn't help Stephanie under any circumstances.

Stephanie, perpetually disappointed, merely looked outside at the beautiful sunny day. “You’re not my mother,” she muttered, hanging up before Catlin could respond. Stephanie wished Catlin would stop claiming that maternal relationship; the association brought her only anger, disappointment, and shame.

At the hospital, Catlin was furious. She tried to redial Stephanie, only to find her number blocked. Tyler approached, and she complained, “She blocked me! How can she do that?” Stephanie's lack of respect was galling. Tyler, still pale from Stephanie's earlier kick, inquired about his injury.

“No, it’s much better,” he replied, admitting to his own anger toward Stephanie. He wondered about the coincidence of both Dr. Vitale and Dr. Pierce knowing her. “Didn’t she agree?” he asked.

“No,” Catlin shook her head. “I can’t understand why she’s so hostile toward Olivia.”

Tyler, equally dissatisfied, questioned Stephanie's connections. Catlin added, “How does she know someone important like Dr. Vitale and Dr. Pierce? She was too poor to have any such means.”

Tyler pondered. “The Pierce family donates to charities in poor areas. Could she have met Dr. Pierce that way?”

Catlin nodded. “That’s likely. She probably met Dr. Vitale through Dr. Pierce; they’re in the same field.” Both found this explanation plausible. “How is Olivia?” Tyler asked, looking toward the ward.

Catlin sighed. “She woke up twice last night. The pain was excruciating.” Olivia’s suffering weighed heavily on her.

Early that morning, Kevin received a call from Chris, urging him to proceed with the Shallow Bay Area acquisition. Later, Chris called again, announcing his intention to join Kevin in person. News of Chris's planned acquisition for Olivia's recovery had somehow spread overnight, turning the endeavor into a high-stakes venture; failure would be met with widespread ridicule.

“Didn’t you see the butler?” Chris asked.

“No,” Kevin replied, shaking his head. Chris looked annoyed, his silent assessment of Kevin's competence clear. Then Catlin called. “Chris, Stephanie refused to help. What should we do?”

Chris frowned. Stephanie seemed to be at the center of all their troubles. “I’ll work it out. You don’t have to call her,” he said. Calling again would only humiliate her.

“But Olivia…” Catlin began, her voice choked with emotion. She loathed Stephanie's cold-heartedness. She blamed Stephanie’s upbringing for her perceived immaturity.

Chris reassured her. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it. No need to call Stephanie again.”

“Alright, thank you.”

Chris hung up, even more irritated. He pinched his brow. “How does Stephanie know Dr. Vitale?”

“I have no idea,” Kevin replied, surprised that Stephanie knew such an influential figure.

“Maybe Miss Turner introduced her,” Kevin ventured.

Chris thought it plausible; he couldn't believe Stephanie could have made such a connection independently.

In Shallow Bay Area, Stephanie awoke and went downstairs, finding Sebastian working on his laptop in the dining room.

“It’s still early. You can sleep more,” Sebastian said gently as he looked up.

“It’s not early anymore,” Stephanie mumbled. She'd already spoken to Jennifer and Catlin.

Sebastian smiled. “Breakfast is ready.”

Stephanie, hungry, ate quickly. Noticing Sebastian receive a call and close his laptop, she asked, “Are you going anywhere? Give me a ride.”

“Do you have business?”

“I need to work,” Stephanie replied.

Elliot, after exchanging a look with Sebastian, offered, “Shall I close your studio for you, Miss Stephanie?”

If Sebastian left Long Harbor, Stephanie would return to Fiorenza with him. Both men felt closing the studio was unnecessary.

“No,” Stephanie disagreed. “I’ll find someone to run it. It’s profitable. Why should I close it?” Her designers were dedicated and skilled. Closing the studio would displace them. “Let’s go. I have a meeting this morning.”

Stephanie left with Sebastian. Meanwhile, Chris and Kevin stopped their car outside Whispering Bay.