Vengeance With My White Knight by Maya Kensington

Chapter 172

When Sebastian left, he hauled Macro out by the collar like a rowdy kid.

That mouth of his–sometimes Sebastian wanted to tape it shut and add some glue for good measure.

After lunch, Stephanie wandered into the sunroom, plopping down to wait for Ella.

The place was warm, with huge windows showing off a snowy scene–white piles and icicles glinting on the branches

outside.

The butler peeked in, voice quiet. “Miss?”

“What’s up?” Stephanie glanced his way.

“There’s a Mrs. Hart at the gate. Says she wants to see you,” the butler said, cool as ever.

Hart? Caitlin? Stephanie’s brow scrunched up.

“Caitlin Hart?” she asked.

“Yes.” The butler nodded.

Stephanie raised an eyebrow. Showing up now? Easy guess–she was here about Tyler.

Or probably, she was here for Tyler and Olivia. Stephanie smirked to herself, not impressed.

Tell her no, Stephanie said, keeping it short.

Her old number was done–she’d trashed it last night and got a new one. The Hart family couldn’t reach her no matter whose phone they borrowed.”

Only Jennifer and Ella had her number now.

And those two? They’d never blab to the Harts.

“Got it, the butler said with a quick nod, stepping away.

He was about to call security with Stephanie’s “no,” but before he could finish, her phone buzzed–Ella on the other end.

“Stefi, Caitlin’s standing in front of my car, blocking me, Ella’s voice came through, sharp and crackly.

Stephanie froze, totally confused.

She shot a quick look at the butler, waving him to hold off.

Ella kept going, “She’s crying her eyes out, making a whole scene. Get this–she used to talk smack about you, saying you were some country bumpkin with no class.”

“So who’s the drama queen now? Ella’s voice was pure sarcasm.

Stephanie could already hear Caitlin’s raspy sobs through the phone.

The sound was loud and annoying as hell. She cringed.

Her eyes narrowed a bit. “Bring her in, she said, keeping it cool.

“On it, the butler replied, short and sharp.

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Right before the call ended. Stephanie caught Ella throwing shade at Caitlin, “Pulling this stunt just to see your own kid? Only a mom like you gets that honor

“You dug this hole yourself, Ella added, her tone dripping with disgust.

Most families had that cozy, tight–knit mom–and–daughter thing.

The Harts lost Stephanie once–you’d think they’d hold her close after getting her back.

But

mom turned it into

play parent–she treated Tyler and Olivia

footsteps clomped

through the

glanced at Ella and Jennifer. “Give me a minute, she said, voice

problem.” Ella replied, propping herself against the doorframe,

butler signaled a staffer to take them to the greenhouse lounge next door, but he hung around. Sebastian had told him before he left: if Stephanie met with any Harts,

find a way to corner her.

here they were, still clueless, acting like desperate

like she’d

her, fuming. That laid–back vibe was like a match to her temper. she couldn’t take the heavy quiet and cracked first.

tossed back, chill as

1–don’t–give–a–damn attitude just fueled Caitlin’s fire.

your brother–right or wrong–and you let some random guy mess him ip like

ever gonna work right again,” she snapped, all blame in her tone. The more she talked, the harder it was to keep

psyching herself up to stay

the count, the company was a disaster, and she and Chad were at each

ther’s throats.

it all tied back to Stephanie, she thought,

she had to talk it out with her–Stephanie was the fix to

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Chapter 172

look on her face? Caitlin’s temper blew up like a grease

Stephanie like

stack rang through

slammed her coffee mug down on the coffee table, the sharp sound slicing through

splashed out, spilling over the table and dripping

to chew me out,

voice was as cold as the ice hanging outside, her eyes flashing with a

voice jumping.

and Caitlin was already losing it.

her mouth, Caitlin’s chest

pulling at her lips, like she was laughing inside.

the butler. “Get it done–have Tyler

he said with a quick nod.

shaky. “You–you’re out of your mind!

you’re doing this to

so tight her knuckles turned

at her. “Did you forget, Caitlin? We’re

Caitlin stopped cold.

pale, lips moving but nothing

Her voice broke, words stuck.

new mug and pouring herself more, taking her sweet

said lazily, “Don’t you guys just love throwing your weight around?”

at her hard, no holding

tried to crush her–hell, even wipe her out, she thought with

of pushing people around, right? Her

the Harts? Their true colors were no

over this place for years, piggybacking off the Ashfords. Caitlin, especially–her name was mud among the socialite

“You can’t

already left Oliv

off, her voice sharp as a knife. “Choke on

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cold and herce, like a blade ready

Caitlin was about to say next got

more than the Harts pulling the