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

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really busy lately, probably won’t have much time for you, and well,

know. Why are you so annoying? I’m not going to fall for Dominick. I know I don’t have the right to

Stephanie angrily sent him

eyebrow, sensing her irritation even

feeling after living with Dominick day in and day out… It

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 time to drive

just sent and thought for a moment. Since Dominick was busy with Jessica, he was probably too busy to bother with her anymore. She thought

on the door. “Mrs. Wellington, Mr. George Wellington has asked you to come to the main hall. The

her actions

Another message from Vincent: [By the way, Stephanie, did Dominick come back to

him. She straightened her clothes, her expression turning somber as

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

Dominick who had returned.

you doing standing around

her, casually wrapping his right arm around her waist and leading her into the grand hall of

beside her. Then, she turned to look back at Gary, wondering how they had

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

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

hall, with its

from them. George sat at the head of the table, and everyone exchanged a few pleasantries while

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Chapter 42

family now, so let’s not stand on

for the wedding, we’ll plan it after Steffi

firmly. “Mr. George Wellington, I have always held the Wellington family in high regard, but I

father belittled her, her head bowed,

heard that there is no love between her and Mr. Wellington. It was just an accidental pregnancy. They don’t need

badly in the Wellington family, aren’t you? That we might do something to her!” George said,

Please don’t misunderstand…” Courtney quickly said, smiling as she

as Courtney finished speaking, two figures strode into the hall

she carried bags full of gifts, with

both men’s expressions a mix of surprise and complicated emotions.

his head, his gaze shifting towards George, filled with

for Mr. Wellington. Besides, her ex-husband is Mr. Wellington’s cousin. The whole situation is simply

opposed as if the very idea of allying with the Wellington family through marriage

sharp and commanding as he retorted, “No one

of Wellington Villa fell into a deep silence. No one dared to speak. Even Gary seemed uneasy, conscious of not wanting to

thickened with tension and

that the Reed family would be visiting today. She had intentionally come down with her son, as she was

suddenly announced to

cut through

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

11:29 Fri, 21 Jun

Chapter 42

an orderly fashion, having prepared an elaborate menu to welcome the Reed family. It was a gathering George had initially hoped

mood with some talk about the company’s

the younger generation, didn’t dare make a fuss. He ate politely, though his

appetite, and Kevin’s persistent stare only

her head down, feeling even more out of place with the entire