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

turned it into a

know how to play parent–she treated Tyler and Olivia like they were royalty.

footsteps clomped

Jennifer walked through the door, Caitlin dragging

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

replied, propping herself against the doorframe, not moving an

he hung around.

Harts would find a way to

here they were, still clueless,

like

Caitlin’s way. Caitlin sat across from her, fuming. That laid–back vibe was like a match

tossed back, chill as ever.

attitude just fueled Caitlin’s fire.

she spoke again, her voice had a bite. “He’s your brother–right or wrong–and you let some random guy mess

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

herself up to stay calm and work

needed a doctor bad, Tyler was down for the count, the company was a disaster, and she and

ther’s throats.

Stephanie, she thought, cold as ice.

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

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unbothered look on her face?

guy–hit Stephanie like a

rang through the sunroom.

coffee table, the sharp sound

the table and dripping onto her

gave Caitlin a chilly side–eye. “You here to chew

as cold as the ice hanging

bottled–up feelings blew up. She snapped, her voice jumping. “Stephanie, what the

hadn’t even said much yet, and Caitlin was

she’d opened her mouth,

pulling at her lips, like she was laughing inside.

the butler. “Get it done–have Tyler discharged.”

miss,” he said with a quick nod.

jumped up, her voice shaky. “You–you’re out of

already messed up Olivia–now you’re doing this to him?”

shaking, gripping the chair so tight her knuckles turned white.

up at her. “Did you forget,

Caitlin stopped cold.

moving but nothing

voice broke, words stuck.

pot, snagging a new mug and pouring herself more, taking her

lazily, “Don’t you guys just love

come at her hard, no holding back.

crush her–hell, even wipe her out, she thought with a shiver.

pushing people around, right? Her voice was steady, dripping

Long Harbor, but the Harts?

needed–they’d been stomping all over this place for years, piggybacking off the Ashfords. Caitlin, especially–her name was mud among the

“You can’t do hanging–now

You’ve already

cut her off, her voice sharp as a knife. “Choke on that word before I

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Chapter 172

through Caitlin, cold and herce, like a blade ready to cut.

was about to say next got stuck, killed

than the Harts pulling the “family” card.