Chapter 98

Catlin's voice trembled. "Let's not talk about this now, okay? Stefi... she's in so much pain. You didn't see her today; she came from the emergency room, vomiting uncontrollably. She couldn't even drink water."

Stephanie was momentarily stunned. "Let the doctors treat her first. No matter how much I owe you, I'll pay you back later. Please?" Catlin's cautious plea permeated every word. Even now, Olivia's treatment remained paramount in Catlin's mind.

Stephanie said, "Mrs. Hart, have you forgotten? You once told me my life was a gift from you. How could I possibly owe you anything?"

Catlin had indeed said that; her stance had been unwavering. For Olivia's sake, she'd employed both coercion and persuasion against Stephanie.

"And now, realizing that cutting off my finances, ensuring no company would hire me, wasn't enough to trap me, you've resorted to begging?" Stephanie's words hung in the air, followed by silence—only Catlin's increasingly rapid breathing audible. At the hospital's end, Catlin felt a chill upon hearing Stephanie's response.

Stephanie chuckled at Catlin's silence. "Compensate me? If Olivia recovers, won't that be when you all come after me again?" She knew these people well. This wouldn't be their first attempt in two years.

Olivia was remarkably adept; no matter the distance, even another country, these people would still target Stephanie. Olivia always said, "It's not Stefi's fault; it's mine." But no one considered the true meaning. They assumed Stephanie couldn't tolerate Olivia because of the Hart family's treatment.

Catlin grew frantic. "No, that won't happen! I truly want to apologize!"

"Oh? For Olivia's sake, everything you do is genuine, is it?" Stephanie replied coldly.

Catlin was stunned, her panic escalating. She even forgot Stephanie's earlier questions. All she knew was that Stephanie remained unyielding; she wouldn't call Allison, she wouldn't allow Macro to treat Olivia.

"Then tell me," Catlin's voice cracked, "what do you want?"

Stephanie's tone was indifferent. "She'll live her life, she'll die her death. What could I possibly do?"

With that, she hung up. Catlin again witnessed Stephanie's mercilessness.

Stephanie felt exhausted. A knock came at the door.

"Come in." The door opened, revealing Sebastian. He was already in his coat, clearly leaving.

"You didn't nap?" He frowned, entering.

Stephanie shook her head. "Nope. You're going out?"

Sebastian nodded. "I have to step out for a while, and I'll be back for dinner. Be good, and rest."

Hearing he'd return for dinner, Stephanie nodded obediently. The frustration from Catlin's call dissipated. Forget it, she thought. Those people don't matter. Why waste my energy? Feeling better, she waited for Sebastian's departure after his reminders.

At the hospital, it took Catlin five minutes to regain her composure. Returning to Olivia's room, she ran into Chris.