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.

hates women so much?” Vincent watched her dejected figure and suddenly called out, “It’s

Chapter 46

hates your cake, but he

around sharply and stared

and hesitated

half 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.

only asked her casually. “Stephanie, are you really that concerned about

I’ll go

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

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 up like

I

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

do you need to ask Dominick’s permission to

“Yes, he said I must call

was surprised, thinking. “Dominick

no one answered

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

be

into the car, regretting bringing her out. The car drove smoothly,

bar. As Stephanie looked at the luxurious decor, she felt like

of the second–floor open lobby. Beautiful women with long legs were sitting by the pool. Their

here. He then flashed her an ambiguous

“Dominick owns this place?!

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

Stephanie replied, her

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

need him to kick me out. I’ll leave

her obvious imitation and wondered if she

about Dominick, the VIP elevator stopped on the 12th floor, and two

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

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

Vincent doesn’t have many close friends, and his few childhood friends

played dumb and apologized with

they talked about stocks and investments. When the elevator

I have some business to discuss with them, I’ll join you shortly.” Vincent

nodded at him. Upon seeing Vincent

forget to remind her, “Remember,

largest nightclub in the city. Those who came frequently were either affluent or influential, with many A–list celebrities and

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

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