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

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time for you, and well, you know

not going to fall for Dominick. I

angrily sent him a voice

eyebrow, sensing her

Dominick day in and day out… It was truly

has been really busy lately, so he hasn’t had time to be with you. He asked me to take

looked at the message he had just sent and thought for a moment. Since Dominick was busy with Jessica, he was probably too

door. “Mrs. Wellington, Mr. George Wellington has asked you to come to

door, her actions freezing

phone vibrated again. Another message from Vincent: [By the way, Stephanie, did Dominick come back to Wellington Villa last

didn’t reply to him. She straightened her clothes, her expression turning

ran into Dominick as soon as she arrived

who had returned.

you doing

right arm around her waist and

her. Then, she turned to look back

said the stunning woman standing next to Gary, who was none other

he been out late with Jessica just the night before?” Stephanie believed it must be George who instructed Dominick to

grand hall, with its opulent

Gary and Courtney were seated across from them. George sat at

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Chapter 42

that the two of them are officially married, we’re family now, so let’s not

the wedding, we’ll plan it after

Wellington, I have always held the Wellington family in high regard,

listened as her father belittled her, her head

“Plus, I’ve heard that there is no love between her and Mr. Wellington. It

be treated badly 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 quickly said, smiling as she tried to appease

two figures strode into the hall

Stella entered gracefully, laughing as she carried bags full of gifts, with Kevin

time to lock eyes with Kevin, both men’s expressions a mix of surprise and

his head, his gaze shifting towards George, filled with

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

very idea of allying with the Wellington family through marriage

face darkened, his voice sharp and commanding as he retorted, “No one dares to

dared to speak. Even Gary seemed uneasy, conscious of not

with tension and

that the Reed family would be visiting today. She had intentionally come down

suddenly announced to

cut through the

scowled, casting a glance at Dominick before he began making his way toward the dining room, leaning

11:29 Fri, 21 Jun

Chapter 42

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

a serious atmosphere. Occasionally, Stella lightened the mood with some talk about the company’s affairs, and Courtney kept a smiling face as she discussed the mundane

He ate politely, though his eyes often drifted toward

and Kevin’s persistent stare

more out of place with the entire Reed family