Chapter 17
Chapter 17
The conservative elders of the Ashford family were no joke.
Even though Chris seemed to be in charge of the Ashford Group now, those ders soll had more than enough power to t
the shots
That was probably why Chris had rushed back home and changed his mind so racky–deciding the wedding was back on after all.
Chris tried to smooth things over. “Our marriage doesn’t concern Olivia‘
A cold smile tugged at Stephanie’s lips. “Doesn’t it?”
She didn’t believe for a second that Chris would keep this from her.
Just as she finished speaking, Chris’s phone buzzed. He pulled it out and saw Olivia’s name on the screen.
Stephanie glanced at it, and sure enough, Olivia’s name was flashing back at her.
Chris shot her a stern look and said, “The wedding is going ahead as planned. No changes
Stephanie waved him off dismissively. “Go ahead and take the call”
There was a hint of sympathy in her voice–a little sympathy for Chris, of all people.
He was the heir to Long Harbor’s top family, but when it came to his own marriage, it was clear he couldn’t even make his own decisions.
The first failed to go through, and Olivia immediately again. Chris then stood up. “You’re right. I should get this.”
He walked out to the balcony, phone in hand.
A few hours ago, when he’d left this same spot, he’d been full of arrogant defiance.
Now, though, he was deliberately avoiding Stephanie, showing her at least a bit of respect. Clearly, the Ashford elders had given him a harsh lesson.
Whatever Olivia was saying on the other end of the line, it only made Chris more tense.
He stayed on the phone for a while, and when he finally hung up and came back inside, his face was grim.
He threw a quick glance at Stephanie, looking like he was about to bolt out the door.
Without missing a beat, Stephanie said, “I guess… she’s feeling bad again?”
Her words dripped with sarcasm, like she already knew Olivia’s whole game plan.
Chris’s expression darkened even further, clearly annoyed by Stephanie’s jab at Olivia.
But by that point, he was too drained and defeated to say anything.
Finally, he muttered, “There’s a banquet tomorrow. You’re coming with me. I’ll have someone bring a dress for you in the morning.”
It wasn’t just a suggestion–it was an order, a way to undo her earlier statement about canceling the wedding.
Stephanie raised an eyebrow, her gaze steady on him.
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Chapter 17
Chris couldn’t take it anymore and stepped forward, grabbing her by both shoulders. “What I said this morning was thoughtless. Our wedding is still going ahead, in one werk”
His tone softened, almost like he was trying to coax her into agreeing
Originally, if it hadn’t been for his family’s interference, Chris had planned to give her the cold shoulder for a few more
days.
He thought maybe, if he was just a bit gemiler with her, she’d be satisfied.
But Stephanic shoved his hands away with disgust. “What do you think I am? Your puppet? You think you can just arrange things however you like?”
She still remembered how certain he’d been earlier that morning, insisting the wedding be delayed because of Olivia.
Now, thanks to his family’s pressure, he was shamelessly backpedaling.
Stephanie scoffed. “Your family’s reputation is so important, but what about mine? If I backtrack now, won’t that affect me too?”
By publicly announcing the cancellation like that, both the Hart and Ashford families would lose face.
Stephanie figured the elders of the Ashford family were probably blaming Olivia for the mess.
And Chris was here, in the middle of the night, because of Olivia.
Chris was struggling to keep his cool, but with Stephanie still not backing down, his patience was running thin.
Finally, he asked, “So, what do you want to do about it?”
Stephanie’s voice was cold as ice. “If you love Olivia so much, then marry her. I don’t care.”
“Y–You…” Chris snapped, boiling with rage.
Taking in Stephanie’s defiant attitude, he didn’t have the energy to try and coax her anymore.
He snorted, his patience worn thin. “I’ll see how long you can keep up this stubborn act.”
Chris knew his family had probably already informed Chad about everything.
He was sure Stephanie could act tough in front of him, but he didn’t believe she’d keep it up in front of her own family.
With one last dry, futile remark, he stormed off in a huff.
Stephanie, utterly disgusted, grabbed an air freshener and began spraying it around the house, as if trying to disinfect the
air.
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