Crossroads

Chapter 42

After breakfast, Stephanie retreated to her bedroom, clutching her phone to catch up on the latest gossip about Jessica’s hickey…

“Dominick must have had a wild night with her…” she muttered to herself as she scrolled through Twitter, her expression a mix of

emotions.

Even Stephanie herself didn’t understand why she cared so much…

It was as if she were jealous.

“Wait, jealous?’ The thought stopped Stephanie in her tracks.

“How could I possibly be jealous? Dominick made it clear it was just a business arrangement…”

Just as she was lost in her thoughts, her phone vibrated with a new notification. A greeting message on WhatsApp.

“Who’s this?” she murmured.

Stephanie’s brows furrowed as she stared at the screen. A man named Vincent had just added her.

Vincent seemed to be quite full of himself.

Stephanie simply ignored him, her face devoid of emotion.

Perhaps thinking she wouldn’t reply to him, Vincent quickly sent another message: [I’m Vincent Hayes.]

[Vincent, that profile picture of yours is really flamboyant.]

Stephanie immediately criticized him and saved his number.

Vincent replied: [Still better than your ‘Steph Force.’ Stephanie, your nickname lacks depth.]

StephForce shot back: [Vincent, did you come to me just to pick a fight because you’re bored?]

Stephanie thought her WhatsApp nickname was flawless, simple, memorable, and, most importantly, powerful.

When she saw Vincent’s name pop up, she was instantly reminded that Vincent had warned her not to delude herself, that Dominick could never like her, and that she was just a stand-in for Jessica…

The thought sank Stephanie deeper.

StephForce: [Vincent, I’m tied up right now. Don’t bother me unless it’s urgent, and it better be.] She quickly replied, ready to exit WhatsApp

Vincent responded: (Wait, Stephanie, I actually have something serious to talk to you

about!]

Stephanie hesitated, wondering what this unreliable Vincent could possibly have that was serious.

Chapter 42

Jun

64%

time for

so annoying? I’m not going to fall for Dominick. I know I don’t

sent him

an eyebrow, sensing her irritation even

have feeling after living with Dominick day in and day

be mad. I won’t mention those things anymore. Actually, Dominick has been really busy lately, so he hasn’t had time to be with you. He asked me to take some

he was probably too busy to bother with her anymore. She thought

Wellington has asked you to come to the main hall. The

towards the door, her actions freezing upon

Vincent: [By the way, Stephanie, did Dominick come back to Wellington

him. She straightened her clothes, her expression

surprise, she ran into Dominick as soon as she arrived at

wasn’t just Dominick who had returned. The Reeds were with

are you doing standing

arm around her waist and leading her into the grand hall of

as she glanced at Dominick beside her. Then, she turned to look back at Gary, wondering how they had ended up together

airport to pick us up,” said the stunning woman standing next to Gary, who was none other than her

pick up the Reeds? But hasn’t he been out late with Jessica just the night before?” Stephanie believed it

hall, with its opulent 25-foot-tall crystal

while Gary and Courtney were seated across from them. George sat at the head of the table, and everyone exchanged a few

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Chapter 42

married, we’re family now, so let’s not stand on ceremony,” George said authoritatively, his voice

we’ll plan

remained expressionless, devoid of any joy, as he spoke firmly. “Mr. George Wellington, I have always held the Wellington family in high regard, but I

belittled her, her

heard that there is no love between her and Mr. Wellington. It was just an accidental

in the Wellington family, aren’t you? That we might do something to her!” George said, his voice cold and unhappy as

mean at all. Please don’t misunderstand…” Courtney

two figures strode into the

visiting today?” Stella entered gracefully, laughing as she carried bags full

eyes with Kevin, both men’s expressions a mix of surprise and complicated emotions. Kevin

his head, his gaze shifting towards George,

daughter has divorced once. She might not be a good match for Mr. Wellington. Besides, her ex-husband is Mr. Wellington’s cousin. The whole situation is simply absurd and bound to be

very idea of allying with the Wellington family through marriage was

commanding as he retorted, “No one dares

deep silence. No one dared to speak. Even Gary seemed uneasy, conscious of

with tension and an unsettling

inscrutable look in her eyes, had learned that the Reed family would be visiting today. She had intentionally come down with her son, as she was firmly

Dominick suddenly announced to the

voice cut

Dominick before he began making his way toward the

11:29 Fri, 21 Jun

Chapter 42

having prepared an elaborate menu to welcome the Reed family. It was a gathering George had initially hoped would be celebratory. Unexpectedly, the Reeds

with some talk about the company’s affairs, and

make a fuss. He ate politely,

appetite, and Kevin’s persistent

even more out of place with the