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

so–called mom turned it into a

she didn’t know how to play parent–she treated Tyler and Olivia like they were

soon, footsteps

and Jennifer walked through the door,

and Jennifer. “Give me

herself against the doorframe, not moving an inch.

take them to the greenhouse lounge next door, but he hung around. Sebastian had told him before

Harts would find a way to corner

here they were, still clueless, acting

yesterday, and Caitlin looked like she’d aged

coffee mug, taking a slow sip, not even glancing Caitlin’s way. Caitlin sat across from her, fuming. That laid–back vibe was like a match to her temper. she couldn’t take the heavy

tossed back,

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

her voice had a bite. “He’s your brother–right or

it’s ever gonna work right again,” she snapped, all blame in her tone. The more

sat in the car, psyching herself up to stay calm

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

ther’s throats.

to Stephanie, she thought,

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

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on her face? Caitlin’s

guy–hit Stephanie like a cheap

stack rang through

coffee

splashed out, spilling over the table and dripping onto

side–eye. “You here to chew me out, or just to point fingers?”

cold as the ice hanging

up. She snapped, her voice jumping. “Stephanie, what the hell do you

even said much yet, and Caitlin

that she’d opened her mouth,

stare icy, a little smirk pulling at her

to the butler. “Get it

with a quick nod.

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

already messed up Olivia–now you’re

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

eyes up at her. “Did you forget, Caitlin?

Caitlin stopped cold.

face went pale, lips moving but nothing coming

Her voice broke, words stuck.

mug and pouring

flowed, she said lazily, “Don’t you guys just love

they’d come at her

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

Her voice was steady, dripping with contempt.

Long Harbor, but the Harts?

piggybacking off the Ashfords. Caitlin, especially–her name was mud among

up. “You can’t do hanging–now you’re-

already

sharp as a knife. “Choke on that word

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cold and herce, like a blade ready to cut.

was about to say next got

made Stephanie’s skin crawl more than the Harts pulling the “family”