hapter 7 Chapter 7 89 % Chris walked over to the couch and sat down , pulling out a cigarette from the pack as though it was second nature . But before he could light it , Stephanie stepped forward without hesitation , snatched it from his hand , and tossed it into the trash . Chriss face darkened immediately . What the hell are you doing ? This was the first time anyone had dared treat him this rudely especially a woman . When he was with Olivia , no matter what he wanted , Olivia never questioned him . She just went along with whatever he said or did . Stephanie clapped her hands together and shut the trash can lid with a soft thud . Sorry , I just dont like the smell . Chris stood frozen , his mouth hanging slightly open as if he hadnt fully processed what had just happened . Countless memories of Stephanies gentle side flashed through his mind , but they all shattered when he saw the cold , indifferent expression on her face . In the end , Chris decided to let it go for now . His thoughts drifted to the two major news stories that had broken that morning . The Ashford familys phone lines were probably about to get flooded . His tone softened , almost as if he were trying a new approach . The news today … was it Ella who sent it out ? When Stephanie had first mentioned calling off the wedding , Chris hadnt believed her at all . Hed just thought it was another tantrum . But this time ? It seemed like she had actually gone too far . Stephanie didnt answer . She walked over to the fridge , pulled out a small piece of cake , and started eating it as if the conversation didnt matter anymore . Stephanie hadnt eaten enough during her steak meal at lunch , and after two hours of shopping with Ella , her stomach was practically growling . Chris watched her , his frustration bubbling up . She acted like he wasnt even there , and it was pushing him to the edge . He reached for the fridge door and shut it with a slight thud . The weddings supposed to be between the two of us , he said , his voice tight with annoyance . Why do you have to make it a public spectacle ? He could deal with her venting in private , but this drama she was stirring up in front of everyone ? That was another story . Chris paused for a moment , his mind spinning as he tried to find a reason to forgive her , something , anything , to make sense of it all . Suddenly , Stephanie let out a small laugh , her eyes gleaming with amusement . Are you serious ? Do you really think the wedding is just between the two of us ? If only it were that simple . She almost wished it were . Things would be so much easier . Stephanie shot him a cold , dismissive look and added, Either way , even if I keep it quiet , someone else will spill the beans . Its better if I take control of the narrative . Chris froze . He immediately understood who someone was . He couldnt help himself . You shouldnt always think so badly of Olivia , he said , his tone defensive . 89 % E +5 Chapter 7 Stephanie smirked and took a spoonful of cake , popping it into her mouth like she didnt have a care in the world . If she -wasnt so bad , whyid you have to kick her out of the country for protection two years ago ? Chris immediately clamped his mouth shut . His face flushed red , like someone who had just swallowed a fly . The events of two years ago were a sore spot for him a part of his past he rarely mentioned . He had almost buried it ད ད ད ་ ་ ་ ་ ་ ་ ་ ་ ་ ་ ་ ་ གྲོང ན་ པའི་ གནད་ ཀྱི་ ད་ ད །། But now , with Stephanie bringing it up again , his expression darkened . That was different , he muttered through clenched teeth . You were relentless back then . If Olivia hadnt left , Im afraid you wouldve really sent her to prison . Stephanie took another leisurely bite of cake , barely looking at him . Yeah , I wouldve . Chriss face turned darker with anger , but he was careful not to let it show too much . He couldnt lose his temper now not Thinking back to everything that had happened . he couldnt help feeling disgusted by Stephanie . I was because of her constant outbursts that she was stuck in this mess with the Hart family . But then be reminded himself now wasnt the time to press her . He still needed the wedding to happen . Chriss expression softened slightly , trying to regain some control over the situation . Olivias just sick . Once she gets better , well send her away Stephanie gave him a cold piercing glance but didnt say a word . Chris continued pushing his point . Your parents wont let you keep causing a scene . If this keeps up , itll only make your life Be knew exactly how much leverage the Han family had over her . He could already predict it if things had gone as expected , her card was probably frozen by now . Looking around the house , Chris shifted the conversation . How longs the rent on this place been paid ? Whens the next pancar da He remembered that this house was one Stephanie had rented after leaving the Hart family . Cloudndge Walley wasnt cheap . The unit she was living in probably cost at least ten thousand a month . His point was clear : She didnt have the luxury of acting on a whim . Unexpectedly , Stephanie , still holding her spoon , leaned back in her chair and replied , You should leave now . Chriss eyes narrowed , his face darkening even further . Before he could say anything else , his phone vibrated in his pocket . He glanced at the screen . It was Olivia calling . Vnfecun rousing away from Stephanie , be answered . Stephanie had more or less figured out Chriss mindset . He probably believed that in a marriage , the person who needed help had no right to demand respect . But the sheo thought Chris was incredibly dim witted . He claimed not to want to break up with her , but here he was , skruby wering call from a third party right in front of her . 23 12:43 Sun , 2 Mar Chapter 7 This time , as she started to cause a scene , Chriss true nature was exposed . For two years , hed been wearing a facade , but now , in front of her , he had just ripped it off . 89 % She didnt catch what was said on the other end of the line , but Chris stood up , his face stiff . Dont worry, Ill be there soon . After hanging up , he finally turned to face her . His eyes flicked over her face , which was neither a smile nor a sneer . He sighed , his tone sharper . What I said earlier think it over . No matter how much of a scene you make , you cant steal the spotlight . Everyone will be focused on Olivias illness right now . His attitude was clear : he was warning her that causing a spectacle was pointless . Stephanie didnt respond . Instead , she walked over to the entrance , casually picking up the shopping bags shed gotten with Ella earlier . The bags were all from high end brands , the kind that screamed luxury . Chris stared at them for a moment , his brow furrowing in confusion . He double checked , hesitated , then asked , You still have money to go shopping ? His tone was a mix of disbelief and curiosity . Hed assumed the Hart family would punish her for causing trouble , but these bags seemed to tell a very different story . He knew all too well how the Hart family operated . Every time Stephanie stepped out of line , theyd freeze her credit card for ten days or even half a month just to remind her that she depended on them . If they cut her off , shed have nothing . Stephanie shot him a look , her expression unfazed . Yeah , Ive got money to shop . Whats the problem ? Call the police , arrest me if you want . Chris blinked , completely taken aback . His mouth opened and closed , but no words came out . Hed never realized before just how good Stephanie was at infuriating him . 3/3 AD Comment Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!