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.

obstetrics and gynecology department? Stephanie

Olivia is a calculating bitch, and Chris is

calm, Ella was

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

leaving two years ago, Olivia begged for Stephanie’s forgiveness

and threw herself on Chris, again.

too kind?‘ Stephanie

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

“What are you going

lips curled into a thin smile. “Someone’s made a bad calculation. I’m going to teach her how to do

that followed settling in like a weight.

reached up

sudden, sharp rip, she tore the gown

echoed through the silent room.

when they saw the cold fury in Stephanie’s expression, none of them dared to move or speak.

own

at the screen–Chris’s

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

Chris had always been gentle and

Olivia is back, he suddenly became

abrupt shift in tone made the already cold room

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

hour later…

was standing by the floor–to–ceiling

image of refinement and gentleness. His perfectly sculpted profile was hard to ignore, the kind of face that made it impossible

it seemed like something most people in Long Harbor City

her presence, Chris quickly muttered into the phone, “Can’t join

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

call seemed to vanish in an instant, replaced by an icy coldness that darkened

onto Stephanie, and his voice became clipped as

The tension between them was thick, hanging heavy in the

she chose to sit across from him, maintaining a

and the coldness deepened.