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

why?” Stephanie pushed, her

sounding

stopped cold, her brow scrunching

just walking away–it could sink her studio. A shiver ran through

on,” she groaned. ‘Is it because we’ve been dragging on the drafts? Tell them

off like that,

designers depending on it. Stephanie’s

“They just said they’re

dazed. “Don’t need it anymore?” She stood there, blank–faced, totally lost.

of lame excuse was that? It didn’t

“So… do we have to

said keep it, Jennifer

“Keep it?” She stared at the floor, floored.

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

there or what?” She shook her head, fed up.

quietly. “No way to patch this up,

didn’t budge.

silent, staring at her phone.

དེ

like that–gone? No real explanation, nothing?

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Chapter 169

at least have the guts to break it off right, shouldn’t

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

this on! Sofia’s crew rolled in with Luca, and

it, arms flailing like

him, so he went all

missing–Luca was. He had every

on the phone, Jennifer kept talking. “Losing Skyriver Travel’s a massive blow for us.”

Stephanie trailed off, tapping her fingers on the

to the dining room, then dropped

the studio so she

years of grinding–and the designers busting their butts daily. She clenched her

everyone going. She

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

tone jumped on the other end. “Sh–Shallow

forever, saying how fascinating it was. Jennifer never got a chance

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

stepping out tomorrow–not with the snow

just ditched Sofia’s crew, and no one knew what wild move

up in Shallow

back to the dining room just as Sebastian’s low, calm order hit

it, Elliot said with a nod,

Long Harbor–nailing her down wouldn’t

after him, shaking snow off his jacket. “Hold

missed riding with Elliot in the morning, and it’d left him twitchy all day, gut

finding

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Chapter 169

still held out hope her girl could get that “porcelain glow” back–no

under his breath as

sharp edge in his

said, voice warm as he kicked back in his

toes tapping

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

off guard. “Hey–what’s this?

out, but

“Thought you agreed–no need to hide,

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

cheek lightly. “Still sore

Her eyes popped wide, a flustered spark flashing through them.

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

not seriously…” she stumbled over her words, glaring at him, voice

her shoulder. “How about doing it now?” he mumbled, words muffled against her.

Stephanie stiffened.

This