Chapter 50
The ambiguous atmosphere led Vincent to lose control slightly. He wrapped his arm around Stephanie’s delicate waist while his other hand cupped the back of her head, kissing her with increasing fervor.
Stephanie’s oxygen supply dwindled as Vincent’s lips almost claimed it all, her hands weakly resting on his shoulders, completely surrendering to the
Only when her spine sank into the soft c u h i o n did Vincent’s calloused hand venture under her sleepwear, tracing along her firm abs.
A soft moan escaped Stephanie’s lighs, igniting Vincent’s senses
even further.
His lips brushed against her earlobe. “Stephanie,” Vincent uttered.
His tongue was scorching, causing Stephanie’s eyelashes to tremble as she gently cupped his handsome face. “Do you need help treating your hidden” ailment?” asked Stephanie.
Vincent’s Adam’s apple bobbed. Before he could respond, Stephanie tilted her head back and kissed him passionately.
Just then, urgent knocking sounded from the door.
Their lips parted. They were both breathless.
Vincent rose, exhaling heavily before addressing the door with slight irritation. “What is it?” he asked.
Sophia’s voice came urgently from the other side. “It’s Ms. Fletcher. She has been thrown to the entrance of Tranquil Garden. She is covered in injuries,”
she informed.
Upon hearing that, Vincent furrowed his brows. He lifted Stephanie from the bed, and they headed to the living room.
When Stephanie walked out of the elevator, she saw the bodyguards of Tranquil Garden holding a woman whose hair and clothes were in a mess. The woman’s legs were marked with bruises, presenting a pitiful sight.
She guided Vincent closer. The woman’s head was slightly tilted, her eyes were filled with bloodshot veins, and her mouth was tainted with traces of
blood.
The woman was none other than Olivia.
“U-Uncle Vincent…” Olivia uttered. After saying these words, she fainted.
Vincent raised his chin slightly. “Take her to the bedroom next to Christie’s,” he ordered.
Sophia nodded. “I’ll go tidy up right now,” she said.
Vincent and Stephanie exchanged glances and followed behind.
Clearing the room of others, Stephanie sat by the bed, examining the motionless Olivia and assessing her injuries.
There were bruises all over her body, indicating severe trauma
Stephanie gave Olivia a pulse diagnosis, finding no internal injuries.
She took out her needle pouch and retrieved a long, thin silver needle, its glow shimmering under the lamplight.
Then, she inserted the needle into Olivia’s Head Acupoint and found her immediately relaxed as if all tension had been drained.
“What happened to her?” Vincent asked.
“She was too tense just now. My needle has helped her sleep,” Stephanie explained.
“Do you mean she pretended to faint earlier?” Vincent asked. He was surprised.
Stephanie nodded, “Indeed. As expected of the best actress, she fooled many, but not my silver needle. Surprisingly, it led us to her. She must be agitated,” she said.
“Why wouldn’t she want Christie to Tegain consciousness?” Vincent questioned. He pursed his lips into a straight line.
“We’ll find out once Christie wakes up. I suspect Olivia will make a move within a week. Let’s wait for the drama to unfold,” Stephanie suggested, gently stroking her chin.
Back in her room, Stephanie received a call from Florence.
She smirked, answering the shrill voice on the other end.
“Stephanie, you must be the one who schemed to frame Douglas and prompted Vincent to kick Douglas off the Fletcher family! How could you be so. ruthless? Are you trying to push us into a comer? I treated you like my sister, but you never thought me the same!” Florence fumed.
Stephanie cut her off. “Did you ever treat me like a sister? You stole my fiancé, a worthless scoundrel I have no interest in, and had an affair behind my back. Also, you stole my sample, made me your vocal double, and even took my rough sketches. Florence, where have I wronged you to be treated like a fool? Are you accusing me of framing Douglas? Then go and find evidence yourself. Don’t expect answers from me. As for why he was expelled from the Fletcher family, it’s because he committed a grave offense against the family, Vincent has already shown him mercy since he isn’t in jail now. Florence, if you truly like Douglas, then accompany him to start anew!” Stephanie said.
“You!” Florence uttered. She was infuriated.
“Oh, by the way, I’m no longer your sister. I’ve severed ties with the Hayes family. If you don’t believe me, check the newspapers from a few days ago. I’ve already announced it,” Stephanie declared.
“Stephanie, don’t you care about Grandpa’s well-being? Florence questioned.
Stephanie’s expression darkened instantly. “Are you threatening me?” she retorted.
“Stephanie, you may no longer be part of the Hayes family, but Grandpa still is. And he’s at the Hayes manor. Don’t you want to see him live comfortably? It’s common for people his age to face health issues,” Florence said.
Stephanie recalled in her previous life when Austin died suddenly while she was abroad with Vincent as his secretary, and the Hayes family had him cremated before her return, leaving her facing a solitary tombstone.
She had not expected Florence not to let Austin go even in this life. Worse off, the timeline of this life was moved forward.
She could not let anything happen to Austin this time..
Her gaze turned frosty. “Florence, if you dare lay a finger on Grandpa, I’ll make sure you regret it,” she warned.
Florence realized she had angered Stephanie, and her tactic of using Austin to threaten her was successful “Let’s see how you behave,” Florence responded.
She hung up the phone and glanced at Douglas, who was lying on the bed. “Douglas, I’ve got Stephanie under control. It’s all her fault, causing us so much misery. We must seek revenge, Florence said.
O
Douglas, in pain, gritted his teeth, “First and foremost, we must hide that old hag. Only then can we better control Stephanie. Once we have Stephanie under control, Vincent will naturally compromise. Since they’ve treated me terribly, I’ll treat them the same!” he said.
At that moment, Douglas” mind was fixated on reviving Fantasy Boutique.
Meanwhile, Florence was thinking of how to steal Stephanie’s new summer design rough sketches.
Attempting to apply ointment to Douglas, Florence was rejected. “Flore, let the housekeeper do it,” Douglas suggested.
Florence understood his concern about potentially contracting AIDS. “I’ve already been tested. I’m clean,” she said.
“I didn’t mean that, Flore. I’m worried about dirtying your hands,” Douglas explained,
Florence forced a smile. “It’s okay. I’ll ask someone else to help you,” she replied.
After Florence exited the room, her smile disappeared as she thought, ‘That d a n d Douglas… He’s utterly useless. If not for Fantasy Boutique’s support and I want to work as a designer, I would have kicked this waste to the curb long ago.”
Not only did he lose the Fletcher family’s inheritance, but he was also expelled from the Fletcher family and removed from the family registry.
Apart from his sumame, he had no connection to the Fletcher family.
This was all caused by Vincent and Stephanie. Since the engagement party, nothing had gone well for her and Douglas.
This time, Florence intended to turn the tables and seek vengeance using Austin as leverage.
At that moment, realizing Douglas and Florence’s intentions, Stephania recorded their conversation and uploaded it online.