Vengeance With My White Knight by Maya Kensington

Chapter 8

Chris climbed into the car, his jaw clenched and his face dark with anger,

Kevin glanced at him through the rearview mirror. “So, how’s Miss Giovanni? Is she over it yet?”

It was pretty clear to everyone else that Stephanie was just throwing a tantrum, trying to pressure Chris into sending Olivia away again.

Chris rubbed his temples, frustration building. “You think she’s that easy to calm down?”

Kevin thought back to what had caused all this tension.

He had to admit, Olivia’s sudden return without any warning would’ve pissed anyone off.

“Do you think she’s serious about canceling the wedding?” Kevin asked cautiously.

Chris went quiet, unsure how to answer.

He replayed the past two years in his mind.

Then, Chris let out a bitter laugh. “What do you think?”

He couldn’t shake the feeling that someone who really felt that way wouldn’t shut down so fast.

Kevin thought for a moment, then shook his head It didn’t seem likely.

He knew the Hart family couldn’t stand Stephanie. Aside from marrying Chris, she had no backup plan.

Plus, after everything she’d invested in their relationship over the last two years, it seemed real. You couldn’t fake that kind of emotion.

So, Kevin figured Stephanie was just throwing a tantrum–though, admittedly, a pretty extreme one…

Back in Cloudridge Valley, Stephanie was still awake.

She stared at the pile of shopping bags scattered across the floor, her mind drifting back to the credit card she’d accidentally pulled out. Her headache was getting worse by the minute.

It felt like a storm was brewing inside her.

She tried to push the worry aside.

After all, she’d spent the whole morning trying on wedding dresses and shopping with Ella. Her calves were sore from all the walking

A bath sounded like just what she needed. It started off relaxing, but the moment she stepped out, the doorbell rang urgently.

“Who’s there?” she asked.

She didn’t bother opening the door, just called out.

“It’s me. Open up,” the person answered. Stephanie could tell it was Catlin.

Stephanie swung the door open to find Catlin standing there, dressed in an elegant skirt, a string of pearls around her neck.

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Chapter 8

her expression was sharp

Her eyes locked onto Stephanie,

door behind her, towel in hand,

seeing Stephanie lounging around like that pushed

89%

to do?” Catlin snapped, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. “I told you, Olivia didn’t do it. She just got

her phone, opened it, and shoved the news article in Stephanie’s face. “And this statement about canceling the wedding? Olivia’s my daughter, and your

now thought she’s the other woman. How could you do

she became, her words spilling out in

tossed the towel aside and

in her eyes, Catlin’s anger flared

until you’ve ruined the reputation of our entire family, will you? Now

what had been weighing on her: her regret for bringing Stephanie back into the family at

Catlin, if they’d never let Stephanie back, none of this would’ve

proved she was nothing but trouble–a curse on their family.

Catlin stared at Stephanie, her

me back. If you hadn’t, I wouldn’t have ended up in

was clear in that moment that Stephanie felt more regret than Catlin ever could. Returning to this family had been a mistake

couldn’t even find the words to respond. Her arms trembled,

I said, you should’ve just pretended you never found me. From now on,

paused, then smirked. “And as for Olivia–you’re still protecting her,

her?”

coming back to the Hart family a few years ago, Stephanie had left again. She hadn’t spent enough time with them to feel any

only made Catlin’s rage burn hotter. “You… you rude and ungrateful brat,”

had hit

you stop going

punish Stephanie, so she tried to hit her where it hurt–her wallet–hoping that would

back down

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Chapter 8

out, slamming the

was convinced that cutting off Stephanie’s access to money would force her

wait to see Stephanie begging for

5.,99%E

the house fell into a heavy silence.

unfazed, casually washed an apple and took a bite.

phone rang, and she answered

excitement.

bite of her apple, her tone as calm as ever. “How

keep her enthusiasm in check, replied, “Three times higher than what

the number. The apple in her hand suddenly tasted sweeter.

another bite and stood up.

her apple, she

over forty minutes to get to the office, but today she