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

Olivia is a calculating bitch, and Chris is an

Stephanie seemed calm, Ella was seething with anger.

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

two years ago, Olivia begged for Stephanie’s forgiveness

back and

Or just too kind?‘ Stephanie thought to herself.

didn’t let up. “She’s picking the perfect time–just before you and Chris are about to get married. She’s clearly

something.”

on the phone tightening. I’m hanging up now, she

was frantic. “What are you going to do?

“Someone’s made a bad calculation. I’m going

she ended the call, the silence that followed settling

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

a sudden, sharp rip, she tore the gown in half, throwing the pieces

fabric ripping echoed through

eyes wide. But when they saw the cold fury

into her own clothes, her

at the

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

had always been gentle

Olivia is back, he

the already

She couldn’t be bothered to respond. Without hesitation,

hour

He was standing by

perfectly sculpted profile was hard to

was so rare and flawless, it seemed like something most people

her presence, Chris quickly muttered into the phone,

the nearby leather couch, settling into it with a soft creak of

to vanish in an instant, replaced by an icy coldness

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

The tension between them was thick, hanging heavy in

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

and the coldness deepened.