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.

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

Chapter 46

hates your cake,

turned around sharply and stared intently at

looked troubled and

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

kay,” she readily agreed.

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

go

come downstairs, she was dressed in a light pink foreign–style coat and skinny white pants. Her hair was tied up in a bun, and her

around her neck.

Stephanie was,

I

need to dress warmly. I’d get scolded if I caught a cold,” she replied nonchalantly. Stephanie then pulled

dial the number and joked, “Oh, do you need to ask

I must call

surprised, thinking. “Dominick

one

then was suddenly on edge and looked at Vincent with a cunning glance. “If he scalds me, I’ll tell

be reasonable?!”

out. The car drove smoothly, and about 30 minutes

her first time in such an upscale bar. As Stephanie looked at the luxurious decor, she

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

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

eyes widened slightly, and she pondered, “Dominick owns this place?! No

expression, 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

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Chapter 46

how to,” Stephanie replied,

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

to kick me out. I’ll leave on

imitation and wondered if she

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

pretty… But she looks familiar,”

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

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

with a smile, “We’ve had drunk too much,

seemed to have important business with Vincent. Stephanie listened as they talked about stocks

floor with the waitress; I have some business to discuss with them, I’ll

nodded at him. Upon seeing Vincent had serious matters,

forget to remind her, “Remember,

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 a world of glitz and glamour where indulgence knew

Bar was chaotic, but the top floor was completely different. It was comfortable and quiet, and not just anyone

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