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.

a woman in the obstetrics and gynecology department? Stephanie didn’t need

still flustered, pressed on. “That Olivia is a calculating bitch, and Chris is an idiot. You shouldn’t marry him!”

Ella was seething with

the water cup on the table, unfazed. “Every time she calculates, the trouble’s on ME. Why are

years ago, Olivia begged for Stephanie’s forgiveness in

now, she came back and threw herself on Chris,

pushover? Or just too

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

something.”

her grip on the phone tightening.

are

a bad calculation.

silence that followed

at her reflection in the mirror, Stephanie reached up to touch

the gown in half, throwing the pieces to the floor.

of fabric ripping echoed through

the cold fury

changed back into her own clothes, her phone

the screen–Chris’s

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

had always been

he suddenly

made the already cold room feel

of sarcasm flashed in Stephanie’s eyes. She couldn’t be bothered to respond. Without hesitation, she hung up.

hour later…

into Chris’s office. He was standing by the floor–to–ceiling windows,

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

like something most people in Long Harbor City could

her presence, Chris quickly muttered into the phone,

nearby leather couch, settling into it with a soft creak

warmth from the phone call seemed to vanish in an

his voice became clipped as he ordered, “Come here.”

his gaze, not moving an inch. The tension

she didn’t sit beside him. Instead, she chose to sit across from him, maintaining a distance that mirrored

narrowed, and the coldness