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.

Vincent watched her dejected figure and suddenly called

Chapter 46

cake, but

turned around sharply and stared

troubled and hesitated

“Every year on his birthday, Dominick never goes to the office. He might be at the club or the bar. Do you want

kay,” she readily agreed.

you really that concerned about Dominick?” he asked with

I’ll go upstairs to change my coat…”

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

around her neck.

together. Upon seeing how bundled up Stephanie was, Vincent couldn’t help but tease her, “Stephanic, you don’t need to dress up

I

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

joked, “Oh, do you need to ask Dominick’s permission to

“Yes, he said I must call him before

surprised, thinking. “Dominick usually doesn’t

one answered

glance. “If he scalds me, I’ll

be

smoothly, and about 30 minutes later, it stopped at Flaming Bar in Havencrest’s bustling

such an upscale bar. As Stephanie looked at the luxurious decor, she felt like a country bumpkin in the city.

mist adorned the center of the second–floor open lobby. Beautiful women with long legs were sitting by the pool. Their laughter and banter blended with the misty ambiance.

Vincent, who was a regular VIP here. He then flashed her an ambiguous smile. “Stephanie, did you know your husband

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

Vincent 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 should learn to be obedient and sweet sometimes.

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Chapter 46

replied, her expression stern as

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

him to kick me out. I’ll leave on my own,” Stephanie replied

obvious imitation and

the 12th floor, and two guests

this your new girlfriend? She’s really pretty… But she

playful demeanor vanished, and he said

of the guests wondered, Vincent’s best friend’s wife? Vincent doesn’t have many close friends, and his few childhood friends are all influential,

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

have important business with Vincent. Stephanie listened as they talked about stocks and investments. When the

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

Vincent had serious

elevator doors closed, Vincent didn’t forget to remind her, “Remember,

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

the top floor was completely different. It was comfortable and quiet, and

numbers tick upward rapidly. However, just as the elevator doors opened on