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Chapter 3
Chapter 3
As soon as Stephanie stepped out of the building, she saw Olivia getting out of a car.
Chris’s assistant, Kevin Wright, opened the door for her. She handed him several shopping bags.
“Give these to the secretaries,” she instructed with a graceful nod.
Her posture exuded authority, like she owned the place.
Kevin took the bags with a respectful nod. “Thank you, Miss Hart”
Olivia gave a soft smile before turning, her eyes locking with Stephanie’s across the parking lot.
Stephanie narrowed her gaze.
Olivia paused, then walked toward her. “Stefi.”
Her voice was sweet, almost like a kind big sister.
When Stephanie had first been brought into the Hart family, they’d mentioned that Olivia was only an hour older than her.
Stephanie knew that sweet tone was for Kevin’s benefit.
And, the challenge in Olivia’s eyes was unmistakable.
As Olivia got closer, her voice dropped, almost a whisper. “You’re his fiancée, but he wants me here in his workplace. Tell me, what does that mean?”
Stephanie’s expression didn’t shift. She stayed silent.
After a beat, she scoffed. “I’m his fiancée. And as long as I want, can visit here and even the Ashford family anytime. You where else can you go except here? Oh, right–meeting in the darkness like rats doesn’t count.”
Olivia’s face flickered with a mix of surprise and irritation.
She quickly smoothed over the smugness, but her eyes narrowed with cold fury.
It was clear–Olivia couldn’t go to the Ashford family. Too many old–fashioned relatives there would never accept her.
Stephanie couldn’t help feeling a rush of satisfaction as she saw Olivia’s discomfort.
Olivia shot her a glare, her voice sharp. “Don’t get too comfortable. As long as I’m around, you’ll never marry him.”
Stephanie gave a slight smile, her tone unaffected.
She brushed imaginary dust off her shoulder. “The world doesn’t revolve around him. I don’t need to marry him.”
In truth, Stephanie had known from the start that Chris’s heart belonged to someone else. Walking away from him had always been the right choice.
Some things just couldn’t wait. Stephanie knew it was time to move fast.
Olivia’s face stiffened. “What do you mean?”
She stared at Stephanie, completely thrown off, unable to process what was happening. She had always believed Stephanie was hopelessly in love with Chris.
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12:06 Mon, 3 Mar
Chapter 3
She could still remember how fiercely they had fought over him two years ago. But now, to see Stephanie acting so indifferent–it made Olivia think that maybe it was all just a front.
Stephanie raised an eyebrow. “I mean exactly what I said. If I lose Chris, I can move on and find someone else. But you? He’s the only guy who will ever marry you, and you won’t even get a grand wedding. Honestly, I almost feel sorry for you.”
Olivia’s face, already pale with anger, drained white with fury.
Stephanie secretly enjoyed seeing Olivia’s confidence crumble.
She didn’t understand why Olivia had the nerve to provoke her today–maybe she had forgotten the bitter lesson from two years ago.
Not wanting to waste any more time, Stephanie turned to leave.
But just as she was about to walk away, Olivia suddenly grabbed her wrist. “Stefi, I’m just back in town to see a doctor.”
She put on her most pitiful expression and added, “I don’t want to come between you and Chris. Please don’t get me wrong, okay?”
“Let go of me,” Stephanie said.
Her face twisted in disgust as Olivia touched her wrist.
She tried to pull away, but Olivia yanked her hand back forcefully.
Slap–the sound echoed, like a piece of fat falling from a great height.
Clearly, it wasn’t a gentle drop.
Stephanie rolled her eyes, barely registering what had just happened.
But then, from a distance, she heard Chris’s enraged voice. “Stephanie!”
Finally, it clicked for Stephanie–the drama queen was just putting on a show for her favorite audience.
Stephanie glanced down at Olivia, still acting her part, before looking over at the nearby fountain.
A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips as she stalked toward Olivia, grabbing her hair in one quick motion.
Olivia screamed in pain, “Ah-!”
With a sharp jerk, Stephanie dunked Olivia’s head into the icy cold water.
The shock of the freezing water hit Olivia like a ton of bricks, and she began to thrash around in panic.
But Stephanie was relentless, her grip firm as she held Olivia under.
If Olivia wanted to play the victim and make her look bad, Stephanie was more than willing to give her a performance she wouldn’t forget.
“Help! Ah-!” Olivia screamed as Stephanie briefly pulled her up for air.
Before Olivia could even take a full breath, Stephanie shoved her head back into the water.
Chris, now running toward them, finally reached the scene and shouted, “Stephanie, stop!”
Olivia, gasping and choking, felt like her lungs were about to explode. Her hands flailed wildly.
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12:06 Mon, 3 Mar
Chapter &
Chris reached them, shoved Stephanie aside, and pulled Olivia on of the water
Olivia, drenched and coughing violently, struggled to speak. Chris, foil of concern, tooed at her be you shayt
Olivia gasped for air, her chest burning. “TL wheeze?
Her eyes were cloudy with pain, and she was barely able to form words.
Chris’s expression hardened, his eyes narrowing as he glared at Stephende,
Stephanie, unfazed, took two swift steps forward and without hesitation, stomped down on Old’s welke
Olivia screamed in agony. “Argh
Chris roared, fury radiating off him. “Stephanier
He shoved her away again, his hands shaking with rage.
But Stephanie wasn’t phased. She raised her small purse and threw it straight at Chris’s head,
The impact made Chris stagger back, momentarily dazed, but his rage only grew stronger.
He couldn’t believe how rude and brutal Stephanie had become.
Before Chris could react, Stephanie lunged at Olivia again, kicking her in the leg
Olivia, already struggling from the water, felt a sharp pain shoot through her leg as it started to swell.
