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 think twice to know why.

a calculating bitch, and

Ella was seething with anger.

“Every time she calculates, the trouble’s

Olivia begged for Stephanie’s forgiveness in tears.

came back and threw herself

a pushover? Or just too kind?‘ Stephanie thought to

up. “She’s picking the perfect time–just before you and Chris

something.”

sharpened, her grip on the phone tightening.

“What are

calculation. I’m going to

silence that followed settling in like

reflection in the mirror, Stephanie reached up

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

ripping echoed through the silent

saw the cold fury in Stephanie’s expression, none of them dared to move

changed back into her own clothes, her phone

glanced at the screen–Chris’s name.

and his voice came through immediately, firm and clipped. “Once you’re done with the

had always

he

made the already cold

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

hour

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

of refinement and gentleness. His perfectly sculpted profile

like something most people in Long Harbor City could only dream of.

presence, Chris quickly muttered into the phone, “Can’t join you for lunch today. Sorry. Goodbye.”

up and walked over to the nearby leather couch, settling into it with a soft creak of

from the phone call seemed to vanish in an

onto Stephanie, and his voice became clipped as

not moving an inch. The tension between them was thick, hanging heavy in

the usual routine, she didn’t sit beside him. Instead, she chose to sit

and