Forsaken Daughter Pampered by Top Hier

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Stephanie made her way back to Cloudridge Valley, the place that still felt like home.

As soon as she stepped into the elevator lobby, she spotted Ella sitting on the couch, looking up from her phone,

When Ella saw her, she shot up and rushed over, pulling her into a hug. “Girl, all men are pigs. Tomorrow, I’ll introduce you to someone way better.”

Stephanie gave a tired nod. “Sure.”

Ella expected Stephanie to lash out, but instead, she seemed strangely calm–like the whole thing with Chris hadn’t even

fazed her.

Ella pulled back, giving her a quick once–over. When she noticed bloodstains on Stephanie’s clothes, her eyes widened.

“Wait, what? That’s blood? Did you get hurt?” She rushed over to check.

Stephanie glanced down and saw a few spots of blood on her beige coat.

With a nonchalant smile, she shrugged. “Easy. They’re not mine.”

Ella blinked, confused. “Whose is it, then?” Her voice was laced with concern.

Stephanie replied coolly, “Don’t know. Maybe Olivia’s or Chris’s.”

Ella’s eyes went wide. “What?”

Stephanie, noticing the worry in her friend’s face, casually explained, “Yeah. I taught Olivia and Chris a lesson.”

Ella’s eyebrows twitched when she heard Stephanie’s calm response. She was in awe of how efficiently Stephanie had handled everything.

Ella had just run into Chris and Olivia at the hospital that morning and told Stephanie about it. Now, not even half a day had passed, and Stephanie had already dealt with them.

She couldn’t help giving her a thumbs–up.

A mischievous grin spread across her face as she teased, “I know a short fuse can get you in trouble, but when it comes to

jerks like them, you need a temper like yours.”

What those two had done was outrageous–so much so that even Ella couldn’t hold back her anger. And she wasn’t the one who’d been betrayed.

Ella had thought Stephanie would cry and whine abo handled things herself.

but instead, she didn’t shed a tear. She’d taken

it off, but she was glad

that Olivia had a way of pushing her buttons, making her lose

a playful gleam in her eyes. “Don’t head upstairs

took

“Nuh, I left early. Still gotta to get

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just a week, and everything going on, Ella worried

around the street for a while

poking at it as she muttered, Let’s not get this next time. It doesn’t taste that

a fan of bland food–Ella knew that well.

not even slowing down to chew properly. She mumbled between bites, “I don’t have

workday was usually quick and no–nonsense

for a second, swallowed, then asked, “So what’s

mention of his name, Stephanie’s steak suddenly tasted even

and fork with a sigh, wiping her mouth before turning to Ella. “Can you help me issue a statement? I want to announce that we’re

fork hovered in mid–air as she

a beat, she asked, “Your families are okay with this?”

with

odds with the weight of what

surprised by the response.

realized it made sense. That was the truth. They

engagement with Chris had

choice in

was born to a maid, a secret they’d kept hidden for years. The Ashfords had wanted to call off

Hart family had

Ashfords for several major business deals, and losing that connection could be disastrous. So, Catlin and

fallen out, Chris had unexpectedly stood by Stephanie’s side—a major shift from his usual behavior.

sent away, Chris had pampered Stephanie, treating her like she was the most

finally

shift back toward Olivia

ago, he had been kind to her only to keep her

all, Stephanie had sworn to put Olivia behind bars, and she had the evidence

grasped the complexity of the situation and muttered under

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Chapter 5

forehead. “Wait, you knew exactly what kind of guy Chris was two years ago, right? So why the

tried on wedding dresses? Were you really planning