Chapter 85
Chapter 85
That statement was crystal clear; if Catlin dared to trouble Chris on Olivia’s behalf again, Grace wouldn’t hold back.
With that, Grace ended the call abruptly.
Catlin, still gripping the phone, was fuming.
Tyler was standing right beside her, both of them just outside Olivia’s hospital room.
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“Did you hear that? The Ashford family is getting way too arrogant! Do they really think our family is done for?” Tyler was livid. A frown settled on his face as he recalled their father’s discussion about the development of their mining project a month ago.
Catlin took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. “Don’t let Olivia know about this.”
Tyler nodded. “Got it.”
Right now, they couldn’t afford to let Olivia find out. Her health was already hanging by a thread, and Chris was the only thing keeping her going.”
Catlin shut her eyes for a brief moment before speaking again. “We need to figure out a way to bring Dr. Pierce and Dr. Vitale here for Olivia’s surgery.”
Earlier today, the doctors finalized Olivia’s treatment plan. The situation was so dire that Catlin had felt her heart racing just listening to it.
Having only one surgeon in charge was simply not an option.
“I’ll try asking Stephanie for help again,” Tyler said.
“Your father just went to find her, but she wasn’t at Cloudridge Valley. I have a feeling she’s not staying there anymore,” Catlin replied.
“She’s not? Then where is she?” Tyler asked.
Catlin rubbed her temples, feeling her headache worsen. She knew Stephanie’s social circles well; she wasn’t the type to party late into the night.
That was why Catlin strongly suspected Stephanie wasn’t living at Cloudridge Valley anymore.
“I don’t know. Look into it discreetly,” Catlin instructed.
Just then, Olivia’s weak voice came from inside the hospital room. “Mom?” Catlin immediately gestured for Tyler to stay silent.
Tyler gave a slight nod, understanding her meaning.
Stephanie had managed to open her own business; there had to be someone backing her.
Whoever it was, they needed to figure it out as soon as possible.
Catlin stepped into the hospital room.
Olivia was drenched in sweat, her face pale as a sheet. Upon seeing her in such a state, Catlin’s heart clenched with sorrow. “Sweetheart, are you in pain again?” she asked gently.
Olivia’s voice was weak but filled with concern. “You need to look after Stefi more… Don’t let her ruin herself.” The concern
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Chapter 85
in her tone was unmistakable.
Catlin felt an even deeper pang in her heart. “My silly girl, you’re still worried about her?”
“I overheard Chris and Kevin talking,” Olivia said, her voice barely above a whisper. “She met up with the guy at Cloudridge Valley.”
“What?” Catlin’s expression darkened instantly.
“Mom, she’s your biological daughter. You can’t let her get mixed up with those guys. Even if she and Chris broke doesn’t mean she should just settle for some old guy.”
That was the last straw. Catlin’s fury erupted, her chest rising and falling rapidly with anger.
that
Seeing Catlin so worked up she could barely speak, Olivia lowered her gaze, a glint of vicious satisfaction flashing in her
eyes.
At Whispering Bay, Stephanie’s phone screen lit up and dimmed, over and over again. The calls had been relentless these past few nights.
Stephanie had wised up. She simply switched it to silent mode.
She was deep in sleep, lost in a fog of dreams, when suddenly, a noise at the door startled her. Groggily, she opened her eyes and saw Sebastian standing there, his posture unsteady, his face laced with drunkenness.
“Hi, Sebastian,” Stephanie mumbled, still half–asleep. She rubbed her eyes and slowly got out of bed.
As soon as the door clicked shut behind him, Sebastian shrugged off his mid–length coat, followed by the ash–gray scarf around his neck.
Sebastian was effortlessly handsome; whatever he wore, whatever he did, he carried an undeniable charm.
Stephanie snapped awake instantly. She turned over and slid off the bed, her feet hitting the floor. “You’ve been drinking?”
Sebastian was always like this; whenever he drank, a faint blush would creep up his face.
