Crossroads

Chapter 43

Dominick’s face darkened with each passing second.

Then, without another word, he turned and strode off.

Stephanie watched him leave, her expression filled with confusion.

She couldn’t understand what had upset him, only that he seemed deeply angry.

“What is he angry about?‘ Stephanie murmured under her breath.

She began to follow him, then remembered his recent issues with Jessica and stopped, her heart heavy. “Never mind!” she thought.

Dominick, indeed furious, walked briskly as he pulled out his phone and said in an icy tone, “Send me the WhatsApp passwords for the artists under your company…”

Vincent, on the other end, could tell Dominick was in no mood for excuses, and hesitated before replying, “Dominick, why do you need those WhatsApp passwords? That doesn’t sound right…” After all, it was about privacy.

“Then I will find someone to hack them,” Dominick retorted sharply.

Hearing this, Vincent immediately tensed up. “Has something happened?”

“Send me Courtney’s WhatsApp password…” Dominick’s tone was laced with impatience.

Upon hearing Courtney’s name, Vincent narrowed his eyes, lost in thoughts.

Courtney was indeed an artist under his company, but she had recently lost a leading role to Jessica, and she was a member of the Reed family…

“Dominick, you and Stephanie just got married, and Courtney is part of the Reed family. Jessica’s star is on the rise. Getting this year’s award is just a piece of cake for her. There’s really no need…”

Vincent spoke hesitantly, trailing off as Dominick gave no response, seemingly uninterested in explaining.

With a sigh, Vincent opted to simply have someone send Courtney’s WhatsApp password to Dominick rather than risking him trying to hack into it and possibly blowing up his company’s database.

But Vincent couldn’t figure out why Dominick would suddenly need Courtney’s WhatsApp password. Dominick didn’t even seem like someone who used WhatsApp.

Stephanie sat in the gazebo in the garden for quite a while, her expression sullen. “How could he be angry? I’m not even angry yet!” She was really annoyed just thinking about Dominick’s cold face.

He went out, messed around, and dared to come back to be mad at her!

But the way Dominick had looked at her earlier was…strange.

11:29 Fri, 21 Jun

C

Frustrated and confused, Stephanie was about to go to the stusly to confront Dominic when a tall figure apponias had her rapidly

As Stephanie tumed, she locked eyes with her father Gary’s piercing gare, and a sense of wariness surger

*Do you even have any shame tett?” he scolded, his voice shipping with scornful reproach.

Stephanie was used to such scolding from her father. She kept a stern face, her fists clenched, and walked away if he didn’t eve

“Stop right there!” Gary sounded furious. “Why didn’t you tell me you have married Kevin three years ago? His tone was cold as he

accused.

inform you? The day my mother died was the day I left the Heed family, all have nothing to do with you

you ever care about me? Where were you when I was hungry and

and she didn’t

daughter, yet now they stood facing each other like

the name of the teed family’s lady.

do with my status, The Wellingtons only let me in because I’m pregnant. Don’t think

this up! You climbed into Dominick’s bed just to marry listo a

I got into Dominick’s bed, and it’s all my plant” Stephanie

lecture me? When my mother helped Courtney and her sister go to college, Courtney was only 20, and she had already climbed into bed with you, a 50 year old man! When you were fooling

face darkened as he raised his hand to strike her

you do besides hitting me and

ground without flinching, her eyes red and defiant as she stared at

hand paused inches from her

and commanding. “I’m warning you. You better behave yourself from now on

stepmother already told me everything about three years ago. You used Kevin’s situation to force him to marry you and drove Claire out of the country. You broke in as the other woman just because you want to revenge. tion’t spend your days scheming and stirring up trouble, or

11:29 Fri, 21 Jun

Chapter 43

back tears in

already over three years old. How could you

silent suddenly, a heavy mix of suppressed

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choices I made then. I loved him and was prepared

H

and hatred. Even if she had fallen in love with the wrong person, she was ready to accept her

of? That I might compete with Claire for

couldn’t hold back her tears any

herself together, she stood up and walked away firmly, her proud and lonely figure carrying her last shred of dignity as she

He knew his daughter’s

know about what happened that year?‘ he

stubborn daughter actually knelt before him, offering her mother’s inheritance in exchange for his help. It

to help Kevin avoid

Gary’s expression grew

Stephanie held back tears in

tears.

Stephanie regretted most, it was this matter. She

behind her back, and now she was the one being blamed. Everyone was accusing

Stephanie thought about it, the angrier she became, and she decided to head back to her room. She didn’t

the main villa, a familiar

pink bubble dress and sporting two little braids, that little girl was… Stephanie’s face darkened, recognizing her as

why Joyce

The child’s voice

turned towards the hall and watched as a little girl ran up to George, sweetly

11:29 Fri, 21 Jun

Chapter 43

had a soft spot for children. Caught off guard by the sudden

made everyone’s

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particular, looked furious. He glared at Claire, who had shown up unexpectedly, and hissed in a lowered voice, “Why did you

ignored him and looked timidly towards George. “Her name is Joyce. She’s mine and Kevin’s