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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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.

one thing that used to help her escape the

was like–a pain so deep it dug into you, leaving no way

like this, Caitlin didn’t believe for

just made her hate Stephanie even more–the woman who’d pushed Olivia to

again, so quiet it

said,

Sitting in her car, Caitlin felt it too–a heavy,

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

cozy, the heater humming softly in

shock from the moment she

her the second she pulled into Shallow Bay Area–spotting Whispering Bay looming ahead like some fancy. snow–covered castle. Her heart

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

was Hart family cash behind it

then she saw how the Harts treated Stephanie, and she started second–guessing. No way they

Bay Area? Maybe connected to that dude who picked her

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

think? Stephanie slid a hot mug of coffee across the

her eyes bouncing around. “Boss,

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Chapter 173

raised an eyebrow.

“All that garbage the Hart family dumped

it go down”

out, Stephanie didn’t

rolled her eyes at herself. Here she was, scraping by paycheck to paycheck, pitying a woman chilling in

Dumb

Jennifer fake–cried, laying it on

snorted from the side. Then I deserve some cash

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

for her, thinking they’d crossed every line.

both a look. “You

to Jennifer. “You

“Yep, right

a stack

through a couple pages

over them. “So, it’s really back to Fiorenza, huh?” Her voice got quiet, a little sad, as

slightly. “Yeah, sooner or

up in Long Harbor or not, Stephanie had been

kept tabs on Fiorenza, never letting

been waiting for the right shot–just didn’t expect

in her eyes. “Wait, you’re bailing?

to lose my job?

gig was solid, paid decent–she wasn’t ready to

shrugged, cool as ever. “Already got a new boss

Ella, her fingers gripping the table edge.

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

voice went soft, her eyes getting inisty as she looked at

yeah, but she’d still set them up nice.

it off. “Cut the tears. Nothing

time they’d had together

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Chapter 173

She excused herself and stepped out of the sunroom to

answer it

jumped on the chance, eyeing

Stephanie froze. “What?”

yanking her sweater collar higher to hide it.

“Too late.

Ella might’ve figured it was just a bug bite. But that quick move? It gave the whole

head, pressing her lips

and him

easy. “Yeah.”

with Ella–she just put