Chapter 383

“Whatever, just don’t forget to give her hope. Try your best,” Stephanie said, her voice steady but firm.

Allison was quiet for a moment, processing. “Try my best? Seems like she’s already got a plan.”

“And then?” Allison was curious about what Stephanie planned to do about Olivia.

Stephanie replied, her voice softening. “After you give her hope, you’ll need to negotiate. Hard.”

Allison’s breath caught. “Negotiate? You mean… money?”

“Not charity, Allison. Be bold. Aim high,” Stephanie urged.

“But the Hart family is in no position to pay,” Allison pointed out, her tone skeptical. She’d heard about all the mess at the Hart residence. In such a chaotic situation, hardly anyone living in the Hart mansion could easily come up with 1.5 million dollars.

Stephanie said, “Yeah, I know.”

“Huh? So why?” Allison asked.

“Exactly,” Stephanie said, her voice calm but resolute. “That’s why you push them to their limit.”

Allison was taken aback, her mind racing. ‘So… I’m supposed to give them a glimmer of hope, and then… push them into despair?’

“Did you learn this from Ella?” she finally said, shaking her head. “Only she could come up with such a devious plan, reveling in the chaos.”

“Just go for it,” Stephanie said.

“Alright. I do it. Step by step and nail it perfectly,” Allison replied before ending the call with a sense of determination. Allison leaned back, her thoughts drifting to Olivia. Olivia had always been trouble, both for Stephanie and for Allison. When Olivia was uncertain about Chris’s feelings, she’d played the field, targeting the wealthy and influential. Naturally, she’d set her sights on Yanis, which had led to her conflict with Allison. Many young ladies in Long Harbor had wished for Olivia’s downfall, but the Hart family’s protection had always kept her safe. Now, though, she’d stumbled because of Stephanie—and had even resorted to seeking help from Allison.

Stephanie sat in the car, a small, satisfied smile playing on her lips. Sebastian glanced down at her, his eyes softening. “You look pretty happy,” he observed, his tone gentle.

“Happy? Sure,” she said, her voice trailing off. She thought about how many people in Long Harbor must be feeling the same way now that Olivia had finally faced her comeuppance.

Sebastian chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Why not just finish it all at once? Why go through all this trouble?” he asked, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity.

Stephanie shot him a look, her eyes narrowing just a bit. “With her health the way it is, does it even matter if we kill her?” Sebastian reached out, gently ruffling her soft hair. He didn’t need to say anything; his silence spoke volumes. Stephanie was right. The Hart family was already in disarray, their once-imposing facade now a shattered remnant of its former glory.

Whether they intervened or not, the outcome was inevitable.

Suddenly, Stephanie hugged his arm, her grip tight. “Do you think I’m a bad person?”

Sebastian raised an eyebrow. “Why do you ask?”

“I wasn’t like this back in Fiorenza,” she said quietly.

Sebastian nodded slowly. He remembered those days well. She had been so naive and kind. But so much had changed. The Giovanni family was in trouble, and Richard forced her away. All this had forced her to grow up, to shed her innocence and embrace a harsher reality.

He reached out, pinching her nose gently. “You’re not bad. And that’s okay.”

At that moment, Stephanie felt a warmth spread through her chest. Also, flickers of memories from the Hart residence flashed in her mind: “Even if Olivia pushed you, you shouldn’t have treated her like that.”

“Why did you suddenly stop talking?” he asked.

“I wonder if no matter what I’m like, I’m still good in your eyes,” she murmured, half to herself.

Sebastian’s response was a soft, reassuring hum.

Stephanie’s face lit up with a smile, and she impulsively wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek.