Chapter 24 

Grace cut him off, her voice frosty. “Did you forget what I told you in the study earlier?” 

Her words were laced with disdain. 

Seeing the fury in his mother’s eyes, Chris hesitated for a split second. 

Grace tightened her grip on Stephanie’s arm, her gaze never leaving Chris. It was a look that could cut steel. 

Chris didn’t care anymore. He ignored her completely, turned on his heel, and headed for the door without another word. 

Grace wasn’t having it. “Stop right there!” 

Chris paused for a heartbeat but didn’t turn around. After a second, he decided it wasn’t worth it, striding out without a word. 

Grace’s fury only grew as she watched him go. 

When the door slammed behind him, the room fell into an awkward silence. 

Now, it was just Stephanie and Grace. Stephanie pulled her hand from Grace’s grip, then took off her diamond necklace. Without a word, she handed it to her. 

Grace’s eyes were full of regret. “You don’t have to do this…” 

Stephanie cut her off, shaking her head. “You saw how Chris handled things between us.” 

Earlier, she had been trying to figure out how to tell Grace there was absolutely no chance for her and Chris. 

After all, the Ashford elders had treated her well over the last two years, and she didn’t need to pretend anymore. 

Chris had already done all the dirty work for her, making things a lot easier. 

Grace nodded quickly, her expression hardening. “Yeah, Chris is the problem. I’ll deal with him. That little brat.” 

Grace couldn’t exactly blame Stephanie’s attitude. It was Chris who had messed things up, not her. 

She continued, “Stefi, he’s just confused. Please, give him one more chance. I’ll make sure to set him straight.” 

Stephanie’s gaze dropped, her voice quiet but firm. “For the past two years, I’ve been giving him chances. It’s one thing for him to visit Olivia abroad, but this–this is different.” 

She was done. She swore she’d never give Chris another shot. To even consider it would just be wasting her time. 

But Stephanie wasn’t about to come off as petty. She needed to be clear. If they were calling off the wedding, Chris was going to have to carry all the blame. 

Grace’s eyes widened when she processed what Stephanie had said about Chris visiting Olivia. “He goes to see Olivia often?” 

Stephanie let out a long sigh. “Last month–on my birthday–he was overseas…” 

She didn’t need to elaborate. She didn’t want to. 

It was cruel irony–they shared the same birthday. On her birthday, Chris was overseas, celebrating Olivia’s birthday. 

His family knew he was out of the country, but they hadn’t thought twice about it, assuming it was for business. 

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12:21 Mon, 3 Mar 

Chapter 24 

Now, hearing the truth from Stephanie, Grace’s face fell, and her lips trembled with anger. 

“That little brat!” she hissed, her hands clenching into fists. 

She wanted to call Chris immediately, drag him home, and give him a piece of her mind. 

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But then, Grace remembered her conversation with Olivia from two years ago. She’d been so clear–Olivia was supposed to stay away from Chris. Now, it seemed like Olivia had no shame, no self–respect. 

Grace’s blood boiled.