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.

do you know why Dominick hates women so much?” Vincent watched her dejected figure and suddenly called out, “It’s not

Chapter 46

your cake,

who?” Stephanie turned around sharply

then looked troubled and hesitated to

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

kay,” she readily agreed.

was surprised when Stephanie agreed so readily, as he had only asked her casually. “Stephanie, are you really that concerned about Dominick?” he

somewhat embarrassed and quickly denied, “No! I’ll go upstairs to change my

and skinny white pants. Her hair was tied up in a bun, and her delicate features were accentuated by light makeup. Stephanie looked

around her neck.

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

I

I’d get scolded if I caught a cold,” she replied nonchalantly. Stephanie then pulled out her phone from her pocket and

do you need

seriously. “Yes, he said I must call him before going

surprised, thinking. “Dominick usually doesn’t care

one answered

“If

be

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

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 bumpkin in the city.

the center of the second–floor open lobby. Beautiful women with long legs were

livelier around midnight,” said Vincent, who was a regular VIP here. He then

slightly, and she pondered, “Dominick owns this

expression, Vincent teased her, “The women here would do anything to get into your husband’s bed. Stephanie, be

86%

Chapter 46

replied, her expression

to scare her. “Oh, you’re done for then, Stephanie. After you have the baby, you’ll definitely be despised and kicked

need him to kick me out. I’ll

noticed her obvious imitation and

on the 12th floor, and two guests came in. Upon seeing Vincent, they immediately smiled pleasingly, “Mr.

But she looks familiar,” another

usual playful demeanor vanished, and he said coldly, “This is my best

have many close friends, and his few childhood friends are all influential, especially that one from

dumb and apologized with a smile, “We’ve had

Stephanie listened as they talked about stocks and

discuss with them,

Vincent had

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

influential, with many A–list celebrities and models making appearances, adding

was completely different. It was

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