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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much time for

know. Why are you so annoying? I’m not going to fall for Dominick. I

Stephanie angrily sent him

sensing her irritation even through the phone

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

[Hey, Stephanie, don’t be mad. I won’t mention those things anymore. Actually, Dominick has been really busy lately, so he hasn’t had time to be

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

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

looked up towards the door, her actions freezing upon

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

She straightened her clothes,

into Dominick as soon as she

Dominick who had returned.

are you doing

his right arm around her waist and leading her into the grand hall of Wellington

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

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

to the airport early in the morning to pick up the Reeds? But hasn’t he been out late with Jessica just the

hall, with its opulent 25-foot-tall crystal chandelier,

sat quietly 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

now, so

plan it

any joy, as he spoke firmly. “Mr. George Wellington, I have always held the Wellington family in high regard, but I don’t believe my daughter

listened as her father belittled

there is no love between her and Mr.

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

Please don’t

finished speaking, two figures strode

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

both men’s expressions a mix of

turned his head, his gaze

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

allying with the Wellington family through marriage was

sharp and commanding as he retorted, “No one dares

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

tension and an unsettling

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

is served.” Dominick suddenly announced to the butler at

cut

George scowled, casting a glance at Dominick before he began making

11:29 Fri, 21 Jun

Chapter 42

menu to welcome the Reed family. It was a gathering George had initially hoped

a meal charged with a serious atmosphere. Occasionally, Stella lightened the mood with some talk about the

He ate politely, though his eyes often

appetite, and Kevin’s persistent stare only added

down, feeling even more out of place with the entire Reed