Crossroads

Chapter 24

Stephanie felt inexplicably downcast.

When she woke up the next day, she felt groggy and sluggish, and she didn’t get out of bed until 10 o’clock, completely forgetting about the card game.

“Where is Dominick After waking up, she realized he was nowhere to be seen.

Just as she stepped out of the hotel suite, she bumped into Vincent. He was still holding a grudge against her for tricking him the previous night, so he said coldly. “You can go back to Reed Villa by yourself. He’s not going with you,

“Dominick went to the cemetery. Today is Jessica’s death anniversary.”

Dominick was supposed to accompany Stephanie back to Reed Villa, but when she heard that he was going to pay respects to his deceased ex–girlfriend today, Stephanie couldn’t help but think that he must have truly loved that woman.

The storm in Caelorium had finally stopped, yet she hesitated when she arrived at the hotel lobby,

She didn’t want to go back to Reed Villa.

Suddenly, a familiar voice called out from the hotel entrance. It was an elderly voice filled with excitement. “Steffi…”

Stephanie’s expression flickered with disbelief as she quickly walked over, and her voice suddenly choked up with emotion as she said, “Grandma.”

“Steffi, it really is you. You’ve really come back! Where have you been all these years? Why didn’t you come back to visit us? Do you know how worried I’ve been?” said the elegant and dignified Samantha Reed with concern and frustration in her voice, her eyes brimmed with tears.

At that, Stephanie felt a pang in her heart and immediately embraced the elderly woman in front of her.

She hadn’t expected her grandmother to come to the hotel to pick her up personally, it had been six years since they last saw each other, and Stephanie currently felt both guilty and conflicted,

“Mr. George Wellington from Havencrest called us a few days ago,” Samantha said, her face lighting up with joy as she took Stephanie’s hand and led har into the car. “I watched you grow up from a child, so I know you very well. If I hadn’t come to fetch you myself today, you would have sneaked away. Now that you’re back, you are not allowed to run off again, okay?

“By the way, where is Mr. Wellington?” Samantha asked as she excitedly looked around.

After getting into the car with Samantha and hearing the question, Stephanie looked conflicted. “He’s busy with some important matters today.”

“That’s understandable, as the sole heir of the third generation of the Wellington family, he surely has a lot to do,” Samantha said, her face still beaming with excitement. “Steffi, I heard you’ve already gotten a marriage license with him. You’ve really done well to become part of the Wellington family. I’m so happy for you.”

Stephanie’s expression stiffened at her words. She felt as if this family reunion had suddenly taken an unpleasant turn.

Meanwhile, the car smoothly headed toward Reed Villa. Along the way, Samantha excitedly asked Stephanie many questions about the Wellington family but nothing about how she had been over the years.

This realization then darkened Stephanie’s expression. Just as they reached the entrance to Reed Villa, she could hear the excited chatter from inside the

villa.

“It’s been so many years since we last met. Oh my, you’ve lost so much weight. Samantha said we were expecting an important quest today, but I had no idea it was you, why didn’t you let me know beforehand?”

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Chapter 24

bottle of vintage wine for him to try, to

right now. We’re family. There’s no need

villa was filled with laughter and cheerful

at the entrance as her hands involuntarily clenched into

this exact moment, all she wanted to do

from the past are years behind us now, Steffi, Don’t hold a grudge against your stepmother anymore, Samantha said, seemingly having sensed her desire to escape. She immediately took Stephanie’s hand and practically dragged her inside.

in.”

walked in, a servant announced, “Mrs. Samantha Reed has

sounds of quick footsteps were heard, and Claire ran over to the door, eagerly saying, “Samantha,

Samantha, her smile froze and

He stared at Stephanie incredulously and

hearing him, Stephanie

ask, “You two knew each other

Stephanie spat out the word

reality. Upon seeing Samantha and Stephanie arm

look toward Stephanie, while Claire appeared conflicted

I’m glad you finally decided to come back. I want to apologize for what happened before. It was my fault, and I’ve truly felt guilty over these years. You can ask me to do anything. Just please don’t be upset with your father, okay?” Courtney Peterson spoke with a concerned expression and gentle

years

seemingly in a good mood. Afterward, she instructed Courtney, “Go call Gary down. He’s always busy with work and forgets to care about his

she led Stephanie toward the living room

then, a little girl suddenly ran over and

grim expression. She then caught sight of the little girl cuddling up to Kevin’s legs across the Eving room as Claire affectionately stroked the little girl’s head. The

suggested, and Claire then affectionately leaned on Kevin’s shoulder, looking

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Chapter 24

expression, Stephanie turned her head

noticing her unusual reaction, Samantha curiously asked, “Steffi, Kevin and the young Mr. Wellington are cousins. You two know each

were…” Stephanie started, but her voice then trailed off, and she didn’t finish saying that they used to be

need to

any longer. She quickly stood up and walked away without waiting for Samantha

respond.

her walk away without responding to her question, Samantha looked

Villa’s backyard, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. She despised the Reed family and wished she could avoid returning to Reed Villa for the rest of her

mixture of emotions and saw that the

memories

her from behind, his

Caelorium’s wealthiest family. But she had lived in an

Kevin and didn’t even turn to

her, and questioned accusatorily, “Why didn’t you tell

you’re so grateful to Claire’s brother–in–law for helping you, then you better hurry up and curry

did this on purpose!” Kevin

did it on purpose?” Stephanie asked as she shook off his grip and suddenly burst into mocking laughter. “You cheated on me with my stepmother’s

rai

told him not to divorce Stephanie

a stern and sharp voice came from the second–floor study window. Gary looked