Vengeance With My White Knight by Maya Kensington

Chapter 173

Caitlin dragged herself out of the sunroom, feeling heat down and worn out.

She’d wanted to make one last pitch for Olivia, to beg for even a sliver of mercy

But then she caught that icy, heartless look in Stephanie’s eyes–shutting down even Tyler’s medical care–and the clammed

up

If Chad found out she’d come here to face off with Stephanie and it somehow pulled Tyler into the mess, her marriage would be done for good.

Caitlin shoved the door open and stepped out into the freezing wind and snow.

Stephanie glanced at the butler. “Handle it.”

“Yes, miss,” he said quietly, dipping his head.

Tyler Stephanie muttered as she leaned back in her chair, lost in her thoughts.

She’d been dying to stick it to him for ages. And now, with Sebastian making his move, it was the perfect chance to twist the knife a little more.

The Hart family was already a train wreck, and they all blamed her, never owning up to their own crap.

If that was how they wanted it, Stephanie wasn’t about to go easy on them.

Caitlin had just left Shallow Bay Area and hopped into her car when her phone buzzed. Olivia’s voice came through, weak and shaky. “Mom?

That tiny whisper hit Caitlin like a punch to the gut, tearing her up inside.

In what felt like no time, the Hart family had fallen apart–once solid, now totally helpless against someone like Stephanie.

“Mom, help, I can’t do this, Olivia whimpered, her voice trembling “It hurts so much. It hurts.”

Back at the Hart place, it was like a ghost town. Everyone had bailed, leaving Olivia with just a few staff.

The illness had wrecked her–hair gone, skin pale as the snow stacking up outside.

The pain was brutal, nonstop, keeping her up, shaking through her whole body until it felt like it was in her bones, leaving nothing but misery.

“Did Stefi say I could go abroad?” Olivia asked, her voice barely hanging on.

Hopelessness stuck to her like glue. She could feel herself fading, bit by bit.

Last night was the worst–tossing around in bed, no sleep, stuck in a fog of nightmares she couldn’t shake.

And it was all Stephanie’s fault. She’d made sure Olivia had no treatment, no break, and she still wouldn’t let up.

“Olivia.” Caitlin’s voice came out soft and useless.

“Mom, I can’t do this anymore, Olivia cried, “I didn’t sleep at all last night. It hurts so bad–please, just talk to Stefi. Beg her to let me go. I’ll admit to anything. ll do whatever she wants.

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Chapter 173

Caitlin didn’t say anything.

“Please,” Olivia pushed, tears cracking her voice. “Tell her to let me off this time. She can mess with me later, when I’m better. I just need a break”

“Olivia” Carlin’s tone got heavy, serious.

Olivia struggled to breathe between words, “Whatever she wants me to say, I’ll say it. I’ll take the blame for everything. Just ask her to wait until I’m not dying, okay?”

Stuck in that suffocating house, with no way out, Olivia couldn’t take it anymore.

She flopped back on the bed, wondering if she’d even see tomorrow.

“Mom, please talk to her, she begged, voice shaking. Tm begging you, please…”

Her sobs broke through, rough and desperate.

Even sleep, the one thing that used to help

so deep it dug into you,

this, Caitlin didn’t believe for a second her

even more–the woman who’d pushed Olivia to this point.

whispered again, so quiet it was almost nothing.

poor girl, Caitlin said, her

Sitting in her car, Caitlin

she couldn’t do a damn thing about it. She hurt for Olivia and hated herself for

Bay was cozy, the heater humming softly

shock from the moment she first saw Stephanie,

Whispering Bay looming ahead

just starting out, barely keeping the lights on, Stephanie still spoiled them rotten. Jennifer could

cash behind it all–those people just screated old money

Harts treated Stephanie, and she

secretly the queen of Shallow Bay Area? Maybe connected to that dude who picked

of juice, they wouldn’t have spent the last few

Forget how to think? Stephanie slid a hot mug of coffee

bouncing around. “Boss,

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Chapter 173

an eyebrow.

putted out a breath, crossing her arms. “All that garbage the Hart family dumped on you?

it go down”

out, Stephanie didn’t even

herself. Here she was, scraping by paycheck

Dumb

laying

the side. Then I deserve some cash too.”

Stephanie and the Harts had their big fallout, Ella couldn’t believe they’d stooped

her, thinking they’d crossed every line.

gave them both a look. “You

“You got

fast. “Yep, right

pulled out a stack of papers,

pages before passing them to

back to Fiorenza, huh?” Her voice got quiet, a little sad, as

“Yeah, sooner

in Long Harbor or not, Stephanie had

tabs on Fiorenza, never

right shot–just didn’t expect

jerked up, panic in her eyes. “Wait, you’re bailing?

1 about to lose my job?

paid decent–she wasn’t ready to let it go.

as ever. “Already got a new boss lined up for

Ella, her fingers gripping

“Stick with me, Jennifer. I won’t screw up the

voice went soft, her eyes getting

them up nice. She

off. “Cut the tears. Nothing lasts forever?

had together mattered, she thought.

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Chapter 173

buzzed. She excused herself and

answer it

jumped on the chance, eyeing Stephanie’s neck.

Stephanie froze. “What?”

up, yanking her sweater collar higher

grinned. “Too late. I saw it

figured it was just a bug bite. But that quick move? It

She dipped her head, pressing her lips together to hold back a goofy

raised an eyebrow. “So, you and him are a

easy.

it with Ella–she just put it out