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

Stephanie pushed,

Jennifer said, sounding flat

her brow scrunching

huge just walking away–it could sink her studio.

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

her off like that, and now

couldn’t crash–not with all those designers depending on it. Stephanie’s grip on the

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

anymore?”

It didn’t even add up, she

then asked, “So… do we have to give back

keep it, Jennifer

mouth twitched. “Keep it?” She

like it’s nothing?” She muttered to herself, half in awe, half

swimming in cash over there or what?” She shook her head, fed

hissing quietly. “No way to patch this

budge.

staring at her

དེ

explanation, nothing? Her

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Chapter 169

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

on! Sofia’s crew rolled in with Luca, and now they re here, but Luca’s

losing it, arms flailing like crazy.

to him, so he went all

He

talking. “Losing

trailed off, tapping her fingers on

dining room, then dropped as

studio so she

the designers

going. She ran the math in her head, pulling herself together.

don’t you swing by Shallow Bay Area tomorrow?” Stephanie said, her

jumped on the other end. “Sh–Shallow Bay Area?”

forever, saying how fascinating it

hum. “Yeah. Grab some of the

the snow piling up outside, and Luca lurking somewhere.

one knew what

wasn’t risking it. She’d hole up in Shallow Bay Area and wait

Jennifer, she wandered back to the dining room just as Sebastian’s

it, Elliot said with a

in Long Harbor–nailing her down

snow off his

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

Elliot finding Luca and

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Chapter 169

could get that “porcelain glow” back–no chance he’d let her face take a

breath as

gaze landed on Stephanie, the sharp edge in his eyes

said, voice warm as he kicked back in his chair.

tapping softly on

her onto his lap in

“Hey–what’s this? They are watching

and Elliot were out, but their staff were still

easy. “Thought you agreed–no need

pink, and she dropped her eyes, dodging his look.

lightly. “Still sore

a flustered spark

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

stumbled over her words, glaring

slid his arms around her waist, resting his head on her shoulder. “How about doing it now?”

Stephanie stiffened.

This