Chapter 6 

Chapter 6 

Ella watched as the screen of Stephanie’s phone flickered, the constant barrage of calls taking its toll. 

In just a few minutes, the phone had been ringing nonstop. Ella couldn’t help but suggest, “Why don’t you just turn it off?” 

Stephanie glanced at the phone, frustrated. Blocking the numbers wasn’t doing much anymore–every call was from an 

unknown number. 

Stephanie didn’t even need to answer to know that Catlin was behind this, probably calling from one of their maids phones. She sighed, clearly irritated. 

Ella was right. Stephanie accepted her advice and turned off the phone. 

But Catlin’s punishment didn’t stop there. 

Stephanie stayed with Ella for a while, trying to calm down. After a few moments, they both got ready to leave. 

When it was time to pay, the waitress walked over with a strange expression, hesitating slightly before saying, “Sorry, Miss, your card was declined” 

Stephanie’s eyes flickered to the card she had grabbed randomly from her wallet. She remembered–it was the one Catlin had given her when she first returned to the Hart family, years ago. 

Back then, she hadn’t wanted it, but Catlin had insisted. 

Now, the card wouldn’t go through. 

Ella, noticing the exchange, quickly pieced things together. “Anything wrong?” 

Stephanie sighed deeply. “Catlin froze my card.” 

Ella’s lips twitched in disbelief. “Because of Olivia? What kind of mother does that to her own daughter?” 

Ella couldn’t hide her disgust. 

She was appalled by how some people would treat their children this way. 

Stephanie gave a nonchalant smile, clearly used to this. “It’s not the first time.” 

Ella gently pushed Stephanie’s hand away from the card. “Let me.” 

Without waiting for a response, she pulled her own card from her bag and handed it to the waitress. 

Stephanie immediately protested. “No, I got this.” 

But Ella insisted, her tone firm, and the waitress walked away with the card. 

Once they were back in the car, Ella was fuming. “I’ll transfer $50,000 to you. Don’t let them push you around.” 

Stephanie felt a warmth spread through her. For once, someone was standing up for her. 

She sighed, trying to brush it off. “It’s okay, I really do have the money for myself.” 

Ella shot her a skeptical look. “How? You don’t even have a job. The Hart family’s a bunch of animals. I’m going to give them a piece of my mind.” 

Ella’s anger was practically radiating off her. 

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Mon, 3 Mar 

Chapter 6 

Stephanie paused, thinking carefully, and then decided to come clean. “I really do have money. Well, it’s a long story?” 

She hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. The truth wasn’t exactly simple. 

Despite spending the last couple of years with Chris, she wasn’t entirely dependent on him or the Hart family. 

Ella waved her off, unimpressed. “Fine, I trust you, but take this 50,000 anyway.” 

Stephanie’s been with Chris these past few years. Any money she has is probably from the Hart family. She couldn’t have real cash. 

Ella couldn’t shake her doubts. 

Stephanie, practically begging her to stop insisting, said, “Really, I don’t need it.” 

Ella shot back, “I’m just saying…” 

No matter how much Stephanie argued, Ella was determined to believe she didn’t have anything of her own. 

Finally, to prove her wrong, Stephanie dragged Ella to a mall and bought a bunch of things worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. 

Ella’s disbelief began to fade. 

When she saw the black card Stephanie had used, her eyes widened in surprise. “Where’d you get this black card? Who gave it to you? Chris?” 

Now, the only person Ella could imagine giving her a card like that was Chris. 

Stephanie stared at the card she had pulled out earlier, her mind momentarily blank. 

A wave of emotion surged through her as memories flooded back. 

She swallowed before answering, “Chris? No way.” 

Chris had never been that generous with her. 

Ella’s eyes widened, and she quickly asked, “Then who gave it to you?” 

Since it wasn’t Chris, and it couldn’t possibly be from the Hart family. Ella’s mind started racing. She worried that her friend might be involved in something illegal or mixed up with shady people. 

“Who is this generous guy?” Ella asked, tapping her chin thoughtfully, a playful but concerned look on her face. 

A soft, distant expression crossed Stephanie’s eyes as she thought about the owner of the card, but she didn’t answer. 

Instead, she grabbed Ella’s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “Let’s go.” 

Without saying anything else, they walked out of the mall together, their bags in hand. 

After parting ways with Ella, Stephanie made her way back to Cloudridge Valley. 

She’d barely stepped through the door when she ran straight into Chris, who was standing in her way, blocking her entrance. 

Chris looked furious. He glanced at his watch, irritation radiating from him. He’d been waiting for two full hours. 

“Why did you turn off your phone?” His voice was tight with anger. 

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Mon, 3 Mar 

Chapter 6 

Stephanie shot back with a clipped, “It was annoying.” 

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A month ago, Chris hadn’t cared about her well–being at all. But today, all of a sudden, he was bombarding her with calls- because of Olivia, no less. 

Stephanie reached for her keys to open the door, but before she could even unlock it, Chris grabbed her wrist. 

“Stephanie!” His voice was low and forceful. 

She glared at him, her eyes cold as ice. 

With a sneer, she bit back. “Your true love’s in the hospital with no one by her side. How pathetic.” 

The mention of “true love” hit a nerve with Chris, only fueling his anger. His grip on her wrist tightened as his teeth clenched in frustration. 

“We need to talk,” he growled. 

Stephanie didn’t even flinch. “No need.” 

With one swift motion, she yanked her wrist free and tried to slam the door in his face. 

But Chris was faster than she expected, his arm shooting out to stop the door from closing. 

In the blink of an eye, he was about to push his way inside when Stephanie kicked out, aiming straight for his groin. 

Chris hadn’t anticipated the force of her kick. He stumbled back, shocked, and yelled, “You vicious woman!” 

He twisted his body just in time of 

to try and slam the door again 

to avoid the hit, but it pulled his arm out of the doorframe. That was enough for Stephanie 

Chris was quicker this time. He grabbed the door just before it slammed shut and shoved his way inside. 

Stephanie glared at him, her voice as frosty as her expression. “I suggest you leave now.” 

Chris was panting with anger, his words dripping with venom. “I swear you’ll regret this.” 

For the first time, Stephanie let her true violent side show. She was nothing like the delicate, obedient woman Chris had once known. 

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