Chapter 8 Chris climbed into the car , his jaw clenched and his face dark with anger , Kevin glanced at him through the rearview mirror . So , hows Miss Giovanni ? Is she over it yet ? It was pretty clear to everyone else that Stephanie was just throwing a tantrum , trying to pressure Chris into sending Olivia away again . Chris rubbed his temples , frustration building . You think shes that easy to calm down ? Kevin thought back to what had caused all this tension . He had to admit , Olivias sudden return without any warning wouldve pissed anyone off . Do you think shes serious about canceling the wedding ? Kevin asked cautiously . Chris went quiet , unsure how to answer . He replayed the past two years in his mind . Then , Chris let out a bitter laugh . What do you think ? He couldnt shake the feeling that someone who really felt that way wouldnt shut down so fast . Kevin thought for a moment , then shook his head It didnt seem likely . He knew the Hart family couldnt stand Stephanie . Aside from marrying Chris , she had no backup plan . Plus , after everything shed invested in their relationship over the last two years , it seemed real . You couldnt fake that kind of emotion . So , Kevin figured Stephanie was just throwing a tantrum though , admittedly , a pretty extreme one … Back in Cloudridge Valley , Stephanie was still awake . She stared at the pile of shopping bags scattered across the floor , her mind drifting back to the credit card shed accidentally pulled out . Her headache was getting worse by the minute . It felt like a storm was brewing inside her . She tried to push the worry aside . After all , shed spent the whole morning trying on wedding dresses and shopping with Ella . Her calves were sore from all the walking A bath sounded like just what she needed . It started off relaxing , but the moment she stepped out , the doorbell rang urgently . Whos there ? she asked . She didnt bother opening the door , just called out . Open up , the person answered . Stephanie could tell it was Catlin . Stephanie swung the door open to find Catlin standing there , dressed in an elegant skirt , a string of pearls around her neck . 1/4 12:43 Sun , 2 Mar Chapter 8 Her makeup was flawless , but her expression was sharp and unforgiving . Catlin stepped inside , sitting down with authority . Her eyes locked onto Stephanie , hard and unyielding . Stephanie closed the door behind her , towel in hand , wiping her hair dry . Catlin was already angry , but seeing Stephanie lounging around like that pushed her to the breaking point . 89 % Tell me , what exactly are you trying to do ? Catlin snapped , crossing her arms tightly over her chest . I told you , Olivia didnt do it . She just got back , and youre already attacking her . Catlin pulled out her phone , opened it , and shoved the news article in Stephanies face . And this statement about canceling the wedding ? Olivias my daughter , and your sister ! Why do you have to humiliate her like this ? The whole two now thought shes the other woman . How could you do that ? The more Catlin spoke , the angrier she became , her words spilling out in a rush of frustration . Stephanie , her eyes like ice , tossed the towel aside and met Catlins furious gaze with equal intensity . Seeing the coldness in her eyes , Catlins anger flared even higher . She put on an exaggerated , helpless expression . You wont stop until youve ruined the reputation of our entire family , will you ? Now I really wonder why I ever brought you back . Her words , tinged with regret , hit their mark . She was finally admitting what had been weighing on her : her regret for bringing Stephanie back into the family at all . To Catlin , if theyd never let Stephanie back , none of this wouldve happened . Everything Stephanie had done lately just proved she was nothing but trouble a curse on their family . After the outburst , Catlin stared at Stephanie , her face hard and completely devoid of guilt . Stephanie let out a cold , dismissive laugh . Youre right . You never shouldve brought me back . If you hadnt , I wouldnt have ended up in that car accident . It was clear in that moment that Stephanie felt more regret than Catlin ever could . Returning to this family had been a mistake from the start . Catlin , seething with anger , couldnt even find the words to respond . Her arms trembled , shaking with fury . Stephanie continued , Like I said , you shouldve just pretended you never found me . From now on , we stay out of each others way . She paused , then smirked . And as for Olivia youre still protecting her , huh ? Still worried about people finding out about her ? After coming back to the Hart family a few years ago , Stephanie had left again . She hadnt spent enough time with them to feel any real attachment . Her cold, uncaring words only made Catlins rage burn hotter . You … you rude and ungrateful brat , Catlin spat . The conversation had hit a dead end . Suddenly , Catlin stood up . Think about it carefully . Once you stop going after Olivia , Ill reinstate your card . Catlin had no other way to punish Stephanie , so she tried to hit her where it hurt her wallet hoping that would make her back down 2/4 12:43 Sun , 2 Mar Chapter 8 Without another word , Catlin stormed out , slamming the door behind her . She was convinced that cutting off Stephanies access to money would force her to crawl back . She couldnt wait to see Stephanie begging for her forgiveness . , 99 % E Once Catlin was gone , the house fell into a heavy silence . Stephanie , completely unfazed , casually washed an apple and took a bite . Her phone rang , and she answered it without hesitation . Hello ? The voice on the other end was practically vibrating with excitement . Boss , weve got a big one . A really big one . Stephanie took another bite of her apple , her tone as calm as ever . How big ? The voice , struggling to keep her enthusiasm in check , replied , Three times higher than what weve had before . Stephanies pulse quickened at the number . The apple in her hand suddenly tasted sweeter . She took another bite and stood up . Ill be there soon . After finishing her apple , she quickly changed . Normally , it took her over forty minutes to get to the office , but today she made it in just thirty . When she arrived at the studio , her assistant , Jennifer Adams , was already waiting , grinning widely . Miss Giovanni , its a huge project ! Jennifer eagerly handed her the project proposal . Stephanie flipped through it . Another one from Skyriver Travel ? She couldnt hide her impressed look . Skyriver Travels business was booming , and this was the second major project theyd sent her this year . Their design fees were always high , but this one was even more outrageous than usual … Jennifer nodded excitedly . Yes ! The contact from Skyriver said our designs were fantastic and that theyll send all their future projects to us . The words fantastic designs finally made Stephanie crack a smile . She thought for a moment , then told Jennifer , Ill make arrangements tonight and gather all the designers for a meeting first thing tomorrow . Got it ! Jennifer chirped , her voice full of energy , like a little bird in the spring . Meanwhile , Catlin had gone straight to the hospital . Chris was there too , along with Catlins son , Tyler Hart . Before Catlin arrived , Tyler had been comforting Olivia . Olivia and Tyler had grown up together . Every time there was a conflict between Stephanie and Olivia , Tyler naturally sided 3/4 12:43 Sun , 2 Mar Chapter S with Olivia . Today , though , seeing Olivia hurt by Stephanie had his frustration bubbling over . 89 % When Catlin walked in . Olivia looked up at her , guilt written all over her face . Mom , Im sorry , I think I made Stefi upset again Catlin stepped forward , her heart heavy with concern . Silly girl , Im sure its not your fault . I know her too well . The mention of Stephanie seemed to add more weight to the already tense mood in the room . Catlin sighed deeply . What kind of family did she grow up in ? How did she grow into such a spoiled and rude person ? The Hart family only knew that Stephanies adoptive family was called the Giovannis . They had no clue where they were Catlin had tried asking Stephanie , but she never said a word about it . Tyler , shaking his head , patted Olivias arm . Its not that hard to guess . Look at her shes probably from some backwater town , just wild and undisciplined Tyler had always found Stephanies temper and brash behavior annoying . Catlin sighed again , frustration creeping into her voice . Shes impossible . Tyler turned to her with a sharp look . You cut off her card , right ? Dont give it back to her too easily this time . He was eager to see Stephanie struggle without money . Maybe that would finally take her down a peg . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!