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

this so–called mom turned it into a train wreck.

didn’t know how to play parent–she

soon, footsteps

Jennifer walked through the door, Caitlin dragging behind

Ella and Jennifer. “Give me

replied, propping herself against the doorframe, not moving an inch.

greenhouse lounge next door, but he hung around. Sebastian had told him before he left: if Stephanie met with any Harts, stick close

called it. The Harts would find a way to

still clueless, acting

looked like she’d

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

Stephanie tossed back, chill as ever.

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

“He’s your brother–right or wrong–and you let some random

work right again,” she snapped, all blame in her tone.

herself

count, the company

ther’s throats.

Stephanie, she thought, cold as ice.

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

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Chapter 172

unbothered look on her face? Caitlin’s temper

guy–hit Stephanie like a cheap

stack rang

her coffee mug down on the coffee table, the sharp sound

out, spilling over the table and dripping onto

gave Caitlin a chilly side–eye. “You here to chew me out, or

the ice hanging

blew up. She snapped, her voice jumping. “Stephanie, what

and Caitlin was already losing it.

she’d opened her mouth, Caitlin’s chest burned

a little smirk pulling at her lips, like she was laughing

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

with a quick nod.

up, her voice shaky. “You–you’re out of your mind! He’s your brother!”

already messed up Olivia–now you’re

so tight her knuckles

eyes up at her. “Did you forget, Caitlin? We’re not family

Caitlin stopped cold.

lips moving

could you–you… Her voice broke, words stuck.

a new mug and pouring herself more, taking her sweet time.

the coffee flowed, she said lazily, “Don’t you guys just love throwing your weight

at her hard,

even wipe her out,

Her voice was steady, dripping with

Ashfords had history in Long Harbor, but the Harts? Their true colors

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

“You can’t do hanging–now

already left

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

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Chapter 172

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

Caitlin was about to say next got

more than the Harts