Chapter 413

“Is that so? Well, that’s great news for you,” Chris replied, his tone indifferent.

What did he mean it was good news for us? Isn’t it good news for him too? Catlin thought, shocked. “We need money now; that medicine is expensive.”

“In the future, don’t involve me in anything about her,” Chris said flatly.

“What?” Catlin was stunned.

Before she could say anything else, Chris hung up the phone. Hearing the dial tone, Catlin instinctively tightened her grip on the phone and stared at Olivia in disbelief.

After Olivia heard what Chris had said, her breathing became unsteady, and her face turned completely pale.

Gasping, Catlin asked, “What’s really going on between you and Chris?”

Olivia remained silent, her eyes downcast.

“What on earth happened that day between you two?” Catlin almost yelled the question, impatience and anger mingling in her voice.

Tears filled Olivia’s eyes and rolled down her cheeks. “Mom, I…”

“Oh, you—what can I even say about you? Just tell me honestly, what happened?” Catlin pressed. Chris’s dismissive attitude filled her with dread.

‘Oh lord, so much has been happening in the Hart family lately, and now even access to Chris is blocked? Why is Chris treating Olivia like this? Could Stephanie’s accident really be related to her?’ she wondered.

Catlin’s thoughts turned chaotic. She had been guessing all along, but witnessing Chris’s attitude now felt like her suspicions were confirmed. She pressed her lips together tightly and looked tensely at Olivia.

Meeting her gaze, Olivia shook her head, tears spilling down her face. “Mom, I…”

Catlin felt her heart pounding. “Was Stefi’s car accident really your doing?”

“No, it wasn’t me, really! Believe me, I’m not that bad,” Olivia pleaded.

“Then tell me, why did things end up like this between you and Chris?” Catlin’s temper boiled over.

Right when they needed money the most, there seemed to be none to be found anywhere. Even Chris, who had always been a reliable source for Olivia, had disappeared. No one would believe that nothing had happened between them.

Amber, who had been listening, crossed her arms and appeared at the entrance, chuckling. “Still don’t get it? He must have overheard the plotting against his ex-fiancée. Only you Hart folks can’t see through Olivia’s vicious act.”

“Anyway, Stefi was Chris’s ex-fiancée, right? A man, no matter how much he loves, wouldn’t want to marry a woman who’s so nasty at heart and in looks.”

‘Damn this woman! What’s she stirring up trouble for now? Doesn’t she think I already have enough to deal with?’ Olivia thought as she looked anxiously at Catlin. “Mom.”

Catlin’s breath quickened, her eyes turning sharply toward Olivia. “Is what she said true?”

Olivia’s face turned pale. “Mom…”

“Is it true?” Catlin shouted, shaking with anger. She didn’t want to believe Amber, but now, even Chris had pulled away from Olivia. Everything from Chris’s attitude during their last conversation to how he had acted when he left suggested he was keeping his distance.

Suddenly, Catlin’s face turned pale, her breathing becoming rapid and labored. Tears streamed down Olivia’s cheeks. “It’s not me. I didn’t do it.”

“Then tell me, why is Chris ignoring you?” Catlin demanded.

Chris had always cherished Olivia, and even when he got engaged to Stephanie, he had struggled to let Olivia go. If it wasn’t due to something significant, how could he just stop caring like that?

At this moment, Catlin looked at Olivia’s tearful face, her eyes no longer soft as before, but sharp and piercing.

Stephanie and Sebastian returned to the Shallow Bay Area. Before they got out of the car, Sebastian adjusted her coat for her. “It’s just a few steps,” she remarked.

“The doctor said you shouldn’t catch a cold now,” Stephanie replied seriously.

“Got it,” Stephanie responded, smiling.

As they stepped out of the vehicle, a cold breeze swept in. Stephanie instinctively snuggled closer to Sebastian, feeling the true chill of Long Harbor’s winter.

Sebastian noticed her instinctive motion and with a warm smile in his eyes, he pulled her closer into his arms, leading her inside.

As they walked, Stephanie said, “Sebastian, I feel like having pumpkin fritters today.”

“What’s that?” Sebastian asked. He had never tried it before.

Stephanie explained, “It’s a snack from around Long Harbor, made with pumpkin and flour.”

“Is it sweet?” Sebastian asked.

Stephanie nodded. “Yep.”

Sebastian asked, “Lunch with that?” He remembered she wasn’t usually picky about food, except for the fact that she had been constantly craving spicy dishes. From spicy to sweet? That was quite a change in taste.

“Yeah, suddenly I’m really craving it.”

“Okay, I’ll have it made.”

Stephanie beamed.

As they walked in together and passed the kitchen area, a strong aroma hit them. Stephanie instinctively covered her mouth, feeling a bit queasy.

Sebastian noticed and asked, “What’s up? You feeling alright?”

Stephanie asked, “What’s cooking in the kitchen today? The smell is really strong.”

Sebastian glanced at Henry, who promptly stepped forward and respectfully said to Stephanie, “Today’s dish is your favorite—grilled salmon.”

“Really? The aroma seems different from usual,” Stephanie replied, scrunching her nose. It smelled fishy, not pleasant at all.

Henry looked taken aback. “It’s just like always. It was really fresh when it arrived. And the flavor was no different.”

Sebastian frowned. “Cancel it for lunch.”

Henry fell silent. As he expected, just a hint of dislike from Stephanie, and Sebastian immediately ordered it off the menu.