Chapter 73

The sudden news left Catlin questioning her hearing. More than two million dollars, earned by Stephanie? Impossible!

"Lilian saw her studio at Eastview Tower," Tyler pressed. The air in the ward fell silent. Catlin's pupils constricted, shock spreading across her face. "You sure?"

"Yes, she made more than two million dollars last year." Her breath hitched. More than two million dollars—how? How did she do it?

"No wonder our financial threats failed. It turned out she…" More than two million dollars. How on earth did she make it?

"You can't let her keep that studio." Catlin was furious. The thought of Stephanie earning so much money without her knowing ignited her rage. "Earning so much and still comparing herself to Olivia? She doesn't deserve it."

Tyler nodded. "Don't worry, it's already been taken care of." His assistant had blacklisted Stephanie across Long Harbor's firms. He didn't believe she would be able to cooperate with foreign companies. With her limited capabilities, she'd stumbled into success by accident. Soon, she'd crawl back to the Harts.

"How'd she pull this off?" Catlin seethed. Suddenly, they felt like fools—these days of frenzied account freezes and career blockades, only to learn she'd earned more than two million dollars last year.

On the hospital bed, Olivia had feigned sleep through Lilian and Tyler's conversation. Now, Tyler's phone call and Catlin's words made her blood boil. Damn Stephanie. How could she do it?

Chapter 73: Lunch

Sebastian took Stephanie to a famed Long Harbor restaurant. Between bites, she mumbled, "I was supposed to have Mexican food with Ella at noon."

"No more junk food. It's unhealthy." Raised in the Giovanni household, her diet had always been bland; Sebastian prioritized her health.

Stephanie retorted, "Unhealthy? Food is the essence of the people, the joy of life. Understand?" During her years with Sebastian, she'd never tasted spice. These past two years, she'd sampled every flavor—Mexican food remained her favorite.

Sebastian asked, "Stomachaches bring joy?" Stephanie shut her mouth. Truth be told, icy cola with spicy food was soul food—though the aftermath truly tested one's stomach and soul.

The restaurant boasted five stars. The second floor was for snacks; the third, for seafood. After the meal, Sebastian led Stephanie out by the hand. In the elevator, they encountered Chris.

Chris's gaze dropped, locking onto their intertwined hands. Rage blazed across his features. These shameless dogs—flaunting their affair in broad daylight!

"Stephanie!" His voice ground out between clenched teeth.

Spotting Chris, Stephanie sighed. Fated enemies indeed—of all places to collide. Even in a restaurant. Sebastian radiated glacial coldness, his eyes twin pools of Arctic darkness. Losing his mind and oblivious to the danger, Chris charged ahead.

"You broke our engagement for him? Now you parade him publicly? You'll humiliate not just yourself, but the Ashford and Hart families!"

Stephanie replied, "What do the Ashford and Hart families matter to me?"

Chapter 73

Chris fell silent; his already ragged breathing hitched. This is too much. This is really too much. The elevator dinged. Sebastian moved to exit, but Chris seized his arm. "Stay. Explain this."

Fury contorted Chris's face—the dumped fiancé demanded answers. When did this affair start? The scene froze. Stephanie stared at Chris's grip on Sebastian. Before she could react—crack—snap—

Chris Ashford cried out, "Ah—" Even witnessing his face, Stephanie could feel phantom pain. Did he forget Sebastian's gun at Cloudridge Valley? Still daring to provoke him?

Sebastian never released her hand, neutralizing Chris single-handedly. With a disgusted flick, he towed Stephanie out. "Let's go."

Stephanie glanced back. The once-ferocious Chris now gasped in pain, his defenses shattered. At the entrance, Kevin gaped at Stephanie hand-in-hand with the man. His eyes widened in disbelief.

Stephanie tossed over her shoulder, "Call an ambulance." Upon hearing this, Kevin's brow twitched. Ambulance? Another brawl? So this guy is the one Mr. Ashford met in Cloudridge Valley—regal aura, formidable status.

Stephanie and Sebastian got into the car. Inside, Sebastian's hands seized her waist, hauling her onto his lap. Stephanie stiffened. "Brother—" In this small space, she herself didn't realize how ambiguous this "brother" sounded.

His breath scorched her neck. "Ordering his assistant to call help. You concerned about him?"

Chapter 73

"No!" Concerned? For Chris? Never.

Sebastian's grip tightened. "Truth?" She shook her head frantically. "Really. Trust me." When she said this, she tried hard to distance herself from Sebastian—that was too close. His breath still branded her skin. It gave her an inexplicable strange feeling. But trapped in his steel embrace, she had nowhere to escape.

"Brother, I…"

"What?"

"I've… grown up." She stressed again.

"So no more embraces?" Sebastian's voice iced over.

Chapter 74