Crossroads

Chapter 46

Today was the Winter Festival. After having breakfast with the elders, Stephanie returned to Wellington Villa and sat on the living room sofa, looking somewhat dejected.

She muttered to herself, “So today is Dominick’s birthday…”

Yesterday, they had attended a class for expecting parents together. Stephanie had noticed that Dominick seemed to have mixed feelings about the Winter Festival as if he didn’t want to mention it..

She mumbled under her breath, “Does he not want me to know about his birthday?” Stephanie then wondered if it was because he feared she might bother him.

Since running into Jessica yesterday, Stephanie had felt rather downcast..

Jessica had deliberately mentioned the tie Dominick had left behind after staying there overnight, which was clearly trying to show her up.

Compete? Stephanie knew she had no grounds to..

Just then, a teasing voice came from outside the door. “Stephanie…”

Stephanie looked up toward the front door and was somewhat surprised. “Vincent, what are you doing here? Dominick isn’t home. He probably went to the office.

Vincent spake with certainty. “Dominick wouldn’t be at the office on a special day like today…”

He then stopped talking, and his eyes widened as he looked at the living room table. “Stephanie, did you buy this birthday cake?!” Vincent’s

tone was as if he were shocked.

Stephanie looked down at the birthday cake on the table and sighed.

Vincent sat down across from her and seriously asked, “Stephanie, did you know today is Dominick’s birthday?”

“Yeah.” Stephanie responded dully.

In fact, she had only accidentally heard the butler mention Dominick’s birthday that morning, so she had picked up her phone and ordered a cake. But when Stephanie brought the cake back, the faces of the butler and the staff at Wellington Villa were quite grim.

Stephanie pointed at the birthday cake on the table and curiously asked, “Hey, Vincent, do you know why this is…”

“The Wellington family never celebrates the Winter Festival,” Vincent replied gravely, raising an eyebrow slightly as he looked at her.

Stephanie looked somewhat astonished.

Vincent continued, “Dominick doesn’t like others celebrating his birthday. It’s best he doesn’t see this birthday cake. I suggest you throw it away quickly.”

He remembered six years ago when he and their friends had tried to celebrate Dominick’s birthday, and it had been a disaster.

“I got it,” Stephanie murmured, not pressing further since Dominick didn’t want her to know too much.

She hung her head low and held the one–pound delicious tiramisu cake as she walked up to the second–floor bedroom, planning to eat it in

her room.

women so much?” Vincent watched her dejected figure and suddenly

Chapter 46

cake,

who?” Stephanie turned around sharply

troubled and hesitated to say

he half jokingly teased Stephanie, “Every year on his birthday, Dominick never goes to the office. He might be

kay,” she readily agreed.

are you really that concerned about Dominick?” he asked with

I’ll go upstairs to

a light pink foreign–style coat and skinny white pants. Her hair was tied up in a bun, and her delicate features were accentuated by light makeup. Stephanie looked youthful and radiant,

around her neck.

of them then walked toward the door together. Upon seeing how bundled up Stephanie was, Vincent couldn’t help but tease her, “Stephanic, you don’t need to dress

I

replied

dial the number and joked, “Oh, do you

“Yes, he said I must call him before going

“Dominick usually doesn’t

one

looked at Vincent with a cunning glance. “If he scalds me, I’ll tell him it

be reasonable?!” he

her out. The car drove smoothly, and about 30 minutes later, it

entrance. It was her first time in such an upscale bar. As Stephanie

there was a huge triangular pool filled with a light blue mist adorned the center of the second–floor open lobby. Beautiful women with long legs were sitting by the pool. Their laughter and

VIP here. He then flashed her an ambiguous smile. “Stephanie, did you know your husband owns this

“Dominick owns this place?! No wonder he’s

teased her, “The women here would do anything to get into your husband’s bed. Stephanie, be smart. Don’t always butt heads with Dominick. A woman

86%

Chapter 46

don’t know how to,” Stephanie replied, her expression stern

well and tried to scare her. “Oh, you’re done for then, Stephanie. After you have the

out. I’ll leave on my

obvious imitation and wondered

he was about to soothe Stephanie with some facts about Dominick, the VIP elevator stopped on the 12th floor, and two guests came in. Upon seeing Vincent, they immediately smiled pleasingly, “Mr. Hayes, long time

is this your new girlfriend? She’s really pretty… But she looks familiar,” another man said

he said coldly,

wondered, Vincent’s best friend’s wife? Vincent doesn’t have many close friends, and

the business world were slick, so they quickly played dumb and apologized with a smile, “We’ve had drunk too much,

of them seemed to have important business with Vincent. Stephanie listened as they talked about stocks and investments. When the elevator reached the

some business to discuss with them,

Upon seeing Vincent had serious matters,

closed, Vincent didn’t forget to remind her, “Remember, don’t wander

came frequently were either affluent or influential, with many A–list celebrities and models making appearances, adding to the glamour and allure of the place. It was

chaotic, but the top floor was completely different. It was comfortable

the floor numbers tick upward rapidly. However, just as