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.

know why Dominick hates women so much?” Vincent watched her dejected figure and suddenly called

Chapter 46

hates your cake, but he

sharply and stared

looked troubled and hesitated to

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

kay,” she readily agreed.

readily, as he had only asked her casually. “Stephanie, are you really that

I’ll go upstairs

tied up in a bun, and her delicate features were accentuated

around her neck.

toward the door together. Upon seeing how bundled up Stephanie was, Vincent couldn’t help but tease her, “Stephanic,

I

I caught a cold,” she replied nonchalantly. Stephanie then pulled out her phone

and joked, “Oh, do

seriously. “Yes, he said I must call

was surprised, thinking. “Dominick usually doesn’t care about

one answered

on edge and looked at Vincent with a cunning glance. “If he scalds me,

be

frowned as she shoved her into the car, regretting bringing her out. The car drove smoothly, and about 30

then led Stephanie through the VIP entrance. It was her first time in such an upscale bar. As Stephanie looked at the luxurious decor, she felt like a country

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

Vincent, who was a regular VIP here. He then flashed her an ambiguous

and she pondered, “Dominick

bed. Stephanie, be smart. Don’t always butt heads with Dominick. A woman should learn to be

86%

Chapter 46

Stephanie replied, her expression stern

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

him to kick me out. I’ll leave on my

imitation and

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

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

said coldly, “This is my

friends, and his few childhood friends are all influential,

so they quickly played dumb and apologized with a smile, “We’ve had drunk too

about stocks and investments. When the elevator reached the 22nd

floor with the waitress; I have some business to discuss with them, I’ll join you shortly.” Vincent called

seeing Vincent had serious matters, she

doors closed, Vincent didn’t forget

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

different. It was comfortable and quiet, and not just anyone

herself as she stood in the elevator, watching the floor numbers tick upward rapidly. However, just as the elevator doors opened on the 35th floor,