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

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

footsteps

and Jennifer walked through the door, Caitlin

at Ella and Jennifer. “Give me

problem.” Ella replied, propping herself against the doorframe, not

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

find a way to corner

here they were, still clueless, acting like desperate strays.

and Caitlin looked like

her 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

Stephanie tossed back, chill as

attitude just fueled

“He’s your brother–right or wrong–and

is ruined–no way it’s ever gonna work right again,” she snapped, all blame in her tone. The more she talked, the harder

the drive over, she’d sat in the car, psyching herself up to stay calm and work it

Tyler was down for the count, the company was

ther’s throats.

to Stephanie, she thought, cold

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

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Chapter 172

seeing that blank, unbothered look on her face? Caitlin’s temper

Stephanie like a cheap shot.

loud stack rang through the sunroom.

on the coffee table, the sharp

the table and dripping onto her hand.

here to chew me out, or just

cold as the ice hanging outside,

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

even said much yet, and Caitlin was already losing

mouth, Caitlin’s

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

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

he said with a quick

caught. She jumped up, her voice shaky. “You–you’re out of your mind!

Olivia–now you’re doing this to him?”

was shaking, gripping the chair so

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

Caitlin stopped cold.

went pale, lips moving but nothing coming

Her voice

coffee pot, snagging a new mug and pouring herself

coffee flowed, she said lazily, “Don’t you

come at her hard,

crush her–hell, even wipe her out, she thought

people around, right? Her voice was steady, dripping

but the Harts? Their true

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

“You can’t do hanging–now

You’ve already left Oliv

sharp as a knife. “Choke on that word

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* 44%

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Chapter 172

through Caitlin, cold and herce, like a

say next

than the