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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won’t have much time for

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

sent him

an eyebrow, sensing her irritation even through

Dominick day in and

really busy lately, so he hasn’t

looked at the message he had 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 as she was editing

maid knocked on the door. “Mrs. Wellington, Mr. George Wellington has asked you

up towards the door, her actions freezing

phone vibrated again. Another message from Vincent: [By the way, Stephanie,

clothes, her expression

Dominick as soon as she arrived at

just Dominick who had returned. The Reeds

you doing standing around

casually wrapping his right arm around her waist and leading her

beside her. Then, she turned to

truly an honor that Dominick personally came to the airport to pick us up,” said the stunning woman standing next to Gary,

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 to

its opulent 25-foot-tall

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

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Chapter 42

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

wedding, we’ll plan it after

always held the Wellington family in high regard, but I don’t believe my daughter is a suitable match

listened as her father belittled her, her

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

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

we mean at all. Please don’t misunderstand…” Courtney quickly said, smiling

two figures strode into the

entered gracefully, laughing as she carried

up just in time to lock eyes with Kevin, both men’s expressions a mix of surprise and complicated emotions. Kevin

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

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

commanding as he retorted,

grand hall of Wellington Villa fell into a deep silence. No one dared to speak. Even Gary seemed uneasy, conscious of

air thickened with tension and an unsettling

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

announced

voice cut

at Dominick before he began making his way toward the

11:29 Fri, 21 Jun

Chapter 42

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

some talk about the company’s affairs, and Courtney kept a smiling face as she discussed the mundane matters of

make a fuss. He ate politely,

and Kevin’s persistent stare only added to her

down, feeling even more out