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, her

sounding flat

Stephanie stopped cold, her

sink her studio. A shiver ran through her..

on the drafts? Tell them we’ll have it ready in three

that, and now her big client

depending on it. Stephanie’s grip on the phone got tighter.

“They just said they’re done. Reason? We

need it anymore?” She stood there,

excuse was that? It didn’t even add up, she muttered

asked, “So… do we

Jennifer replied, cool

mouth twitched. “Keep it?” She stared at the

Throwing away a six–figure deposit like it’s

cash over there or what?”

nail, hissing quietly. “No way to patch this up,

didn’t budge.

staring at her phone.

དེ

real explanation,

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Chapter 169

least have the guts to break it off right,

44%

looking grim, the vibe as

“Damn it, I’ve got no one to unload this on! Sofia’s crew

was losing it, arms flailing like crazy.

to him, so he went all out, yelling

missing–Luca was. He had every reason to

Jennifer kept talking. “Losing Skyriver Travel’s

her fingers on

the dining room, then dropped

She’d been counting on Skyriver Travel to prop up the studio so she could pass it to Ella. “Without them,

of grinding–and the designers busting their

Skyriver, the smaller jobs could still keep everyone going. She ran

swing by Shallow Bay Area tomorrow?” Stephanie

on the other end.

Long Bay had been talking about that place forever, saying how fascinating it was. Jennifer

hum. “Yeah. Grab some of the company’s

was stepping out tomorrow–not with the snow piling up outside, and Luca lurking somewhere.

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

it. She’d hole up in

back to the dining room just as

with a nod, heading for the

was somewhere in Long Harbor–nailing her down wouldn’t be tough.

after him, shaking snow off

with Elliot in the morning, and

needed was Elliot finding Luca

3/5

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13 Mar

Chapter 169

still held out hope her girl could get that “porcelain glow” back–no chance he’d let her face take

under his breath as

gaze landed on Stephanie, the sharp edge in his eyes melting away.

warm as

tapping softly on the

she was close, he pulled her onto his lap in one smooth move,

guard. “Hey–what’s this?

and Elliot were out, but their staff

“Thought you

pink, and she dropped her eyes, dodging his

pinched her cheek lightly. “Still sore

wide, a flustered spark flashing

already warm face turned bright red at that. Her brain fizzed out, heart picking

barely been any time–you’re not seriously…” she stumbled over her words, glaring at him, voice all shaky.

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

Stephanie stiffened.

This