Chapter 20 Chris , pissed off by the icy look she gave him , took a deep drag from his cigarette and exhaled with a sharp hiss . I know you can drive , he muttered , but I need to talk to you about something . Stephanie didnt move , her eyes still cold . I dont want to . Without another word , she turned to head for her car . But Chris quickly stepped into her path , grabbing her arm just as she tried to close the door . She shot him a glare . Ignoring her , Chris jerked her out of the car , his grip tight . * ༥ 389 % E It was obvious he had the strength on her , and Stephanie had no choice but to go along with it . Her eyes seethed with anger as she glared up at him . Let go of me , she hissed , teeth clenched . Chris didnt say anything . He dragged her toward his car and snatched the keys from her hand . Without hesitation , he tossed them to Kevin , who caught them effortlessly and sped off in her car . Stephanies fury only grew . You jerk … Chris finally let go , but the damage was done . Get him back ! she demanded , her voice rising . But by now , Chris was already in his car , the engine roaring to life . He glanced over at her . So , you coming or not ? Fuming , Stephanie kicked the tire of his car , frustrated . But after a long pause , she finally climbed into the back seat , clearly unwilling to back down . Chris , ever the one to push buttons , shot back , Come to the front . Stephanie crossed her arms , locking her gaze on the road ahead . Are you leaving or not ? Stephanie ! Chris snapped , his tone sharp , cutting through the silence . She wasnt scared . Her voice was just as hard . Go ahead , yell . Let everyone hear it . The idea of sitting in the passenger seat next to Chris made her skin crawl . She couldnt do it . Chris gritted his teeth , his frustration building by the second . Finally , he revved the engine , pulling away , leaving the Ashford house behind as they headed toward Cloudridge Valley . Stephanie kept her arms folded tight , eyes staring out the window . Take me to Eastview Tower . Chris shot a look at her in the rearview mirror . Eastview ? Why ? He couldnt wrap his head around why someone like her would want to go to a place full of corporate suits . To Chris , Eastview Tower was simply not a place for someone like Stephanie . 1/3 12:45 Sun , 2 Ma Chapter 20 Stephanie , clearly annoyed , snapped back , None of your business . Chris felt his temper flare . Ever since Olivia showed up , it seemed like Stephanie could barely stand to be civil with him . They passed a few more blocks before Chris abruptly pulled over to the side of the road . Stephanie raised an eyebrow . What are you doing ? Chris gripped the steering wheel with one hand , taking another long drag from his cigarette , the smoke swirling around him . If you bring Allison back , Ill stop seeing Olivia . Stephanie blinked , caught off guard . She studied him , trying to figure out if he was serious or if this was just another one of his games . Before she could speak , Chris pulled a black card from his wallet and shoved it toward her . Still confused , she eyed the card , unsure of what to make of it . Whats this for ? It seemed like , in exchange for Allisons medical care , Chris was trying to buy her off with money . Chris nudged the card closer , his tone low . Your familys too busy with Olivias health . They probably havent had time to handle your credit card issues . After all , she was still technically his fiancée , and if anyone found out she was dealing with money problems , it wouldnt be good for either of them . Hed offered her a card before , but she turned him down . Now , though , he figured she might be desperate enough to take it . Stephanies hand twitched toward the card who could turn down cash when it was handed to them like that ? But before she could take it , Chris yanked it back , a smug look on his face . She rolled her eyes , realizing she shouldve known it wouldnt be that simple . Chris leaned back , smirking . The wedding . On schedule ? Stephanie let out a cold laugh . Just as she expected . Nothing with Chris was ever easy . As soon as she heard on schedule , Stephanie pulled her hand back , the card still hanging just out of reach . If the money came with no strings attached , shed take it in a heartbeat . But for Chris to use their wedding as a bargaining chip ? That was a hard pass . She curled her lip , her voice dripping with sarcasm . I thought you werent in the mood to plan a wedding right now . Shed watched him stress over Olivia for days who wouldve thought he was still hung up on marriage ? It was obvious the Ashford family was really cranking up the pressure on him . After all , with Chris grandfather in the hospital and no chance of him being with Olivia anytime soon , it made no sense for him to still be pushing the wedding issue . Chris sighed , trying to soften his approach . Let Allison come back and join Olivias treatment team , and Ill stop seeing her . 2/3 L 89 % Chapter 20 He repeated himself , like it would change anything . Stephanie just found it laughable . A credit card ? Fine . But now he was adding conditions first the wedding , then Allison ? Chris wasnt just greedy ; he was shameless . All this talk , and its all about doing favors for Olivia , she said , her voice dripping with sarcasm . Chris , seeing she wasnt budging , felt his temper flare . What favors ? Havent I given you everything youve asked for ? Stephanie shot him a cold look . He added , almost defensively , Once shes better , shell go abroad . Isnt that what Stephanie raised an eyebrow . She wasnt buying his act . Do you really think shes gonna get better anytime soon ? Her words hit home . Chris stiffened , the reality sinking in . He kept saying he was doing this for her , its what you want , but the truth was , Stephanie would be just fine never seeing Olivia again Could Olivia really be whisked away that quickly ? Seeing Chris face darken , Stephanie pressed on . And what ? Just because you say you wont see her , its all over ? It was clear Chris thought he was making some grand sacrifice , but the only one benefiting here was him . Stephanie started to wonder if he was just tossing out empty promises . By midnight , theyd probably be back in each others arms at the hospital . She knew better than to hope for a man like him . No reason to give him another chance . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!