Chapter 84
Now, rumors were swirling that Chris was willingly buying it for a sick woman. Grace had looked into it. The source of the rumor was from Olivia.
‘What is this supposed to be? She wants the whole world to know about their relationship? So if Chris doesn’t buy it for her, others will make fun of him?‘ Grace wondered.
“She’s sick. What exactly do you think she’s wandering around doing?” Chris‘ tone carried a clear edge of irritation.
He hated anyone targeting Olivia especially when it came from his own family.
Grace caught the hint of protectiveness in his voice, and her expression darkened. “Right. She’s so sick, yet somehow she still finds the energy to show off.”
“Mom, enough,” Chris said, his tone sharpening as he turned to face her.
Grace’s eyes were stormy as she spoke. “Olivia isn’t as simple as you think. Don’t be naive.”
“Did Stephanie put this idea in your head?” Chris asked coldly.
“Do I need Stephanie to tell me what kind of person she is?” Grace shot back. “Are you saying I can’t see things clearly for myself?”
Chris was momentarily taken aback.
Grace pressed on. “You’ve spent too much time with Olivia. Now, whenever something goes wrong, your first instinct is to blame someone else.”
“Enough. She…” Chris was so furious he couldn’t even find the words to argue.
In the end, he just stormed out. Grace narrowed her eyes as she watched his retreating figure. “Stephanie really has a lover?”
“Yes,” the butler confirmed. “I looked into it. Mr. Ashford got that bruise at Cloudridge Valley, and his wrist was injured during a business gathering. He was attacked in an elevator.”
Grace’s expression grew even darker. “He doesn’t even like Stephanie, so why the hell is he fighting with her man?”
‘Has Chris lost his damn mind? And Stephanie? She actually has a lover?‘ wondered Grace.
Fuming, Grace picked up her phone and called Catlin.
As soon as Catlin answered, Grace didn’t hold back. “You are absolutely useless. Stephanie is your biological daughter, and yet you failed to raise her properly. You kept your adopted daughter by your side, and you failed with her too.”
“Mrs. Ashford, you have gone too far,” said Catlin. The outright accusation set off Catlin’s temper immediately.
‘What the hell does she mean by that? That I failed as a mother to both my daughters? So if the two families fall apart, it will be all my fault?‘ she wondered.
“Too far? Am I wrong?” Grace snapped. “Chris and Olivia cut ties two years ago. So why are you still dragging him into Olivia’s mess?” Her tone grew sharper with every word.
Catlin felt a flicker of guilt. The truth was, she had only reached out to Chris because Olivia had asked her to. “Mrs. Ashford, you watched Olivia grow up. She is seriously ill. Her condition is severe.”
“I know. Uterine cancer, right?” Grace’s voice dripped with disdain. “But have you ever stopped to ask yourself how exactly she ended up with it? Did you ever question what kind of life she was living abroad?”
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05:58 Thu, 6 Mar
Chapter 84
“What are you implying?” Catlin’s anger flared.
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Grace scoffed. “I’m just pointing out that it’s a rather suspicious illness. And yet, you expect me to feel sorry for her? Are you out of your mind?”
Grace didn’t bother hiding her disdain. She had never liked Olivia, and she knew exactly what Catlin was getting at.
Facing Catlin, she no longer felt the need to be polite. “I looked into it. Olivia isn’t just clinging to Chris; she has you calling him all the time on her behalf.
“Mrs. Hart, you are Stephanie’s mother. And yet you’re bending over backward to defend an adopted daughter? That is truly eye–opening.”
Most mothers only had deep maternal instincts for their biological children.
Indeed, Catlin had raised Olivia, and her protectiveness was understandable. But choosing to fight against her own daughter for an adopted child was beyond absurd.
“The Hart family is already a complete mess,” Grace said coldly. “Do not drag the Ashford family into your disaster. Otherwise, I’ll make your situation even more difficult.”
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