Forsaken Daughter Pampered by Top Hier

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Standing in front of the mirror, Stephanie Giovanni studied her reflection, her lips curling into a soft smile.

“Stunning,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

The gown hugged her slender waist, flowing into a skirt that reminded her of something straight out of a fairytale.

Her face, still free of makeup, looked just as delicate and enchanting in the natural light.

The shop manager was adjusting the pleats on the gown.

She couldn’t resist commenting, “Why isn’t Mr. Ashford here with you? Men and women, they’ve got different tastes, you

know.”

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Stephanie’s lips. She glanced at the manager with a shrug. “You know men. Busy with work. Can’t get away.”

Just then, her phone vibrated on the nearby counter. Stephanie glanced at the caller ID before answering, “Ella”

On the other end, Ella Turner’s voice came through quickly, almost breathless. “Stefi, I saw Olivia and Christ

The moment she heard those names, Stephanie’s fingers tightened around the phone, her knuckles going white.

The smile that had lingered on her face slowly faded, replaced by a chill in her eyes.

Chris Ashford–her fiancé–was just a week away from marrying her.

And Olivia Hart, just hearing her name disgusted Stephanie.

Stephanie looked over at the shop manager, who immediately nodded in understanding.

With a silent gesture, the manager ushered the staff out of the room.

Once the room was empty, Stephanie lowered her gaze to her perfectly manicured nails. “Where did you see them?” she asked casually.

Ella’s voice cracked with urgency. “At the hospital. In the obstetrics and gynecology department

Stephanie raised an eyebrow, a quiet laugh escaping her lips. “Quite a special place,” she muttered, her expression turning to one of thinly veiled sarcasm.

the obstetrics and gynecology department? Stephanie didn’t need to

Olivia is a calculating bitch, and Chris

calm, Ella was seething with

unfazed. “Every time she calculates,

Olivia begged

came back and threw herself

pushover? Or just too kind?‘ Stephanie thought to herself.

time–just before you and Chris are about to get married. She’s

something.”

on the phone tightening. I’m

“What are you going to

into a thin smile. “Someone’s made a bad calculation.

she ended the call, the silence that followed settling

Stephanie reached up to touch the bust of

sharp rip, she tore the gown in half, throwing the pieces to the

of fabric ripping echoed through the silent room.

they saw the cold

changed back into her own clothes, her phone vibrated

glanced at the screen–Chris’s name.

immediately, firm and clipped. “Once you’re done

years, Chris had always been

is back, he suddenly

in tone made the already cold

in Stephanie’s eyes. She couldn’t be bothered to respond. Without hesitation,

hour later…

was standing by the floor–to–ceiling windows, speaking on

looked every bit the image of refinement and gentleness. His perfectly sculpted profile was hard to ignore, the kind of

was so rare and flawless, it seemed like something most people in Long Harbor City could only

into the phone, “Can’t join you for lunch

nearby leather couch, settling into it with a soft

to vanish in an instant, replaced by

eyes locked onto Stephanie, and his voice became clipped as he ordered,

an inch. The tension

sit across from him, maintaining a distance that mirrored the coldness between them.

eyes narrowed, and the coldness deepened.