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

for Dominick. I

angrily sent him a voice

her irritation even through the

after living with Dominick day in and

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

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

George Wellington has asked you to

the door, her actions freezing upon hearing the Reeds

message from Vincent: [By the way, Stephanie, did

clothes,

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

Dominick who had returned.

are you doing standing

casually wrapping his right arm around her waist and leading her

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

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

early in the morning to pick up the Reeds? But hasn’t he been out late with Jessica just the night before?” Stephanie believed it must be George who instructed Dominick

Villa’s grand hall, with its opulent 25-foot-tall crystal

next to Dominick while Gary and Courtney were seated across from them. George sat at the head of the

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Chapter 42

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

we’ll plan it after

spoke firmly. “Mr. George Wellington, I have always held the Wellington family in high regard, but I don’t believe my daughter is a suitable match for Mr. Wellington. I must

belittled her,

love between her and Mr. Wellington. It was just an accidental pregnancy. They don’t need to

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

mean at all. Please don’t misunderstand…” Courtney quickly said, smiling as she tried to appease

as Courtney finished speaking, two figures strode into the hall from

as she carried bags full of gifts, with Kevin walking

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

head, his gaze shifting

daughter has divorced once. She might not be a good match for Mr. Wellington. Besides, her ex-husband is Mr. Wellington’s cousin.

very idea of allying with the Wellington family through

voice sharp and commanding as he retorted, “No one dares to laugh at

silence. No one dared to speak. Even

tension and

an 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

is served.” Dominick suddenly announced to the butler at his

cut

he began making his way

11:29 Fri, 21 Jun

Chapter 42

an elaborate menu to welcome the Reed family. It was a gathering George had initially hoped would be celebratory. Unexpectedly, the Reeds had not agreed to the

talk about the company’s affairs, and Courtney kept a smiling face

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

had no appetite, and Kevin’s persistent stare only added

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