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.

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

when I

care, and

now they

to do with me? George called me over because you are using the name of the teed family’s lady.

family has nothing to do with my status, The Wellingtons only let me in because I’m pregnant. Don’t think your Reed family is all that impressive, Fin not interested at

nerve to bring this up! You climbed into Dominick’s bed just

bed, and it’s all my plant” Stephanie hit her

makes you think you can 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 around with her, why didn’t

mouth!” Gary’s face darkened as he raised his hand to strike

else can you do besides hitting me and

eyes red and defiant as she stared at the man in front of her, her ruthless

her cheek, his

hand, his voice cold and commanding. “I’m warning

force him to marry you and drove Claire out of the country. You broke in as

11:29 Fri, 21 Jun

Chapter 43

woman!” Stephanie held back tears in her eyes and shouted

daughter is already over three years

fell silent suddenly, a heavy mix of suppressed grievances and

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took a deep breath, controlling her emotions. “I helped Kevin, and I don’t regret the choices I made then. I loved him and was prepared to face anything for him. I don’t need his gratitude, nor would I stoop to

H

if she had fallen

you? What are you scared of? That I might compete with Claire for a man? What else has my stepmother been telling you? That I’m disgraceful,

back her tears any longer. She just hated them

anymore, didn’t even want to see his face. Pulling herself together, she stood up and walked away firmly, her proud and lonely figure

Gary’s eyes. He knew his daughter’s prideful nature

about what happened

offering her mother’s inheritance in exchange

agreed to help Kevin avoid jail time

here?” Gary’s expression

beg Gary to help Kevin… Stephanie held back tears in her eyes.

tears.

anything Stephanie regretted most, it was this matter. She

Claire behind her back,

about it, the angrier she became, and she decided to head back

the main villa, a familiar little figure excitedly ran past right in front of

sporting two little braids, that little girl was… Stephanie’s face darkened,

why

child’s voice loudly called

rigid posture, Stephanie turned towards the hall and watched as a little girl ran up to

11:29 Fri, 21 Jun

Chapter 43

children. Caught off guard by the sudden appearance of this adorable little

made everyone’s faces turn

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at Claire, who had shown up unexpectedly, and hissed in a lowered voice, “Why did

George. “Her name is Joyce. She’s mine and