Vengeance With My White Knight by Maya Kensington

Chapter 169

Stations og fingers tapped the table, sine and steady, shadows dancing under the dim light.

long

just

That calm, rhythmse woud ja made the room feel heavier, creepier. Macro threw Stephanie a wild look, basically pleading for her top in

tephanie kapa her eyes locked on her bowl, acting like she didn’t see a thing,

Why’s be staring at me? She wasn’t about to stick up for Luca.

Sebastian had hammered it into her since they were kids–you don’t go easy on people who’d screw you over.

Luca was here to grab her, and if Stephanie played the softie, she’d get one of Sebastian’s quiet, endless lectures later. Hard

Macro was freaking out “Luck’s not dever enough to pull off something nuts like this, he said, dragging a hand through his hair

“Oh yeah Sebastian shot back, his voice cold as ice. “So what’s ditching Sofa’s crew then?”

Macro opened his mouth, then clamped it shut. Nada. He was stumped

He wanted to yell, maybe even praying in tears for Lucas return

“Why Luca ditch Soles people What was the up to? His head was a jumbled disaster.

bastian was over Macro’s breakdown. He turned to Stephanie instead, his tone solid. “You’re staying with me for the next Lowdop

be

Luca was too unpredictable–too stick–and he wasn’t risking it

If she watched Stephanie now, after shaking Soda’s team, she might take Stephanie to the end of the world.

For all he knew, she’d haul Stephanie across the globe just to screw with Sofia, hopping borders like it was nothing.

Stephane nodded, all sweet and agreeable.

Then the sogged, rethinking it “Wait–I’ve got studio tomorrow, she said, looking up at him.

* sudio for you. Min killer chimed in from the side, straight to the point.

“Hair” semptune’s brain shorted out for a set, totally lost.

No

studio? What the heck does that mean? It felt like her whole world just blew up.

Her stomach dropped, and the spoon in her hand almost hit the table.

Valore Villa conded way more, her phone buzzed Jennifer’s name popped up.

bepped up fast Jennifer Her voice was tight, on edge. terphanie parked

“Were tnt–skynver Travel bailed Jennifer rushed out, panie buzzing through the phone.

Stephanie’s und wena bank

Kailer: This was just had it was a train wreck

Chapter 169

Her heart sank. A multi–million–dollar client, gone? Her eyes popped wide.

Stephanie jumped up, adrenaline kicking in. She shot out of her chair so fast it toppled over, hitting the floor with a loud crash that bounced around the room.

She didn’t even care that Sebastian, Macro, and the others were right there–she darted to the side, phone glued to her ear.

Stephanie gripped the phone, her voice jumping with frustration. “What the heck happened? Weren’t we solid with them this whole time?”

“And didn’t they already drop the design deposit?” She frowned, her fingers squeezing the phone without her even noticing. ‘Why would they bail now? Her head was spinning.

They’d loved every draft she sent–couldn’t stop gushing about them. She leaned against the wall, trying to keep it together.

Jennifer let out a tired sigh on the other end. “I don’t know. Their business team just called out of nowhere–said the deal’s

off

they say why?” Stephanie pushed, her

sounding

stopped cold, her brow scrunching

sink her studio. A shiver ran through

drafts? Tell them we’ll have it ready in three days- three days, Jennifer.

that, and now her big client

couldn’t crash–not with all those designers depending on

just said they’re done. Reason? We don’t need it

anymore?” She stood there, blank–faced,

was that? It didn’t

paused, then asked, “So… do we have

it, Jennifer replied, cool

She stared

Throwing away a six–figure deposit like it’s nothing?” She muttered to herself, half in awe, half

over there or what?” She shook

nail, hissing quietly. “No way to

didn’t budge. “Nope.”

went silent, staring at

དེ

real explanation, nothing? Her chest felt empty.

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Chapter 169

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room, voices were rumbling–Macro and Sebastian, both looking grim, the vibe as heavy

I’ve got no one to unload this on! Sofia’s crew rolled

arms flailing

to him, so he went all out, yelling

He had every reason to freak.

on the phone, Jennifer kept talking. “Losing Skyriver Travel’s

her fingers on

room, then dropped as

the studio so she could pass it to Ella. “Without them, is it even

grinding–and the designers busting their butts daily. She

without Skyriver, the smaller jobs could still keep everyone going.

swing by Shallow Bay Area tomorrow?” Stephanie said, her

on the other end. “Sh–Shallow

in Long Bay had been talking about that place forever, saying how fascinating it was. Jennifer never got a chance to see it

quick hum. “Yeah. Grab some of the company’s business files

way she was stepping out tomorrow–not with the snow piling up outside,

had just ditched Sofia’s crew, and no one knew what wild move she’d try next.

hole up in

room just as Sebastian’s low, calm

said with a nod, heading for the

Harbor–nailing her down wouldn’t

him, shaking snow off his jacket.

Elliot in the morning, and it’d left him twitchy

was Elliot finding Luca and actually laying

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Chapter 169

that “porcelain glow” back–no chance he’d let her

under his breath

sharp edge in his

as he kicked back in

toes tapping softly

her onto his lap in one smooth move, wrapping

“Hey–what’s this? They

Elliot were out, but their

and easy. “Thought you agreed–no need to

dropped

lightly.

Her eyes popped wide, a

bright red at that. Her brain fizzed out, heart picking up

she stumbled over her words, glaring at

around her waist, resting his head on her shoulder. “How about

Stephanie stiffened.

This