Crossroads

Chapter 52

The car exited the highway and headed towards the largest private hospital in Caelorium.

The man at the wheel kept glancing at the woman beside him, and finally said, “Steffi, Jessica looks so much like you. She…”

“She’s not related to me by blood!” Stephanie said blankly before quickly adding, “Please let me off at the front.”

The man parked the car on the side and turned to gaze at her profile, his tone suppressing complex emotions. “I’m just concerned about

you…

“Kevin! I told you I don’t need your concern!”

Stephanie eagerly opened the car door, wanting to get out.

“Stephanie, there’s no need to avoid me like this. I truly mean no harm to you. If I wanted to harm you, I would have done it in the past three

years.”

Kevin paused, his eyes reflecting a mix of emotions.

Then, he spoke calmly. “I just want to say that the women in our circle may look innocent, but they’re not. Jessica’s resemblance to you is likely due to plastic surgery. You need to be careful.”

Stephanie was somewhat surprised because Kevin did sound genuinely concerned.

She opened the car door and stepped out, lowering her gaze to meet the man inside the car. She spoke slowly and deliberately. “Kevin, you’re here this time in Caelorium for your marriage with Claire, right? Frankly, I’m not so generous to be able to forgive you, so I won’t give you my blessings! But I won’t stand in your way either. Remember, we’re done.”

She separated her feelings clearly. When she loved someone, she would give it her all, and she did not care for the concerns that came too

late.

Meanwhile, he sat in the car, glaring fiercely at Stephanie who was walking away.

“Stephanie!”

For some reason, he couldn’t control himself and shouted loudly at her retreating figure, “Stephanie, I care about you not because you’re from the Reed family! I just…”

It was because…

Kevin watched her disappear around the corner. Even he couldn’t answer the question himself as to why he cared about her.

As he had pledged to George that he would marry Claire, he and Claire went to the city hall to sign the papers and obtain their marriage license the next day. All the wedding preparations went on smoothly in the last few days, yet a sense of inexplicable melancholy and reluctance lingered in his heart.

Kevin, consumed by frustration, unleashed his anger on the steering wheel, causing the car horn piercing through the air like a sharp cry.

In the midst of his tumultuous emotions, a blend of restlessness and confusion enveloped him, as if certain truths were veiled from him, and he had been deceived and manipulated all along

Meanwhile, at the bend in the road, Stephanie took a deep breath. Furrowing her brows, she muttered in annoyance, “What’s gotten into him7

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Chapter 52

with Dominick in the private room earlier, and Kevin’s

dwelling on it too much, Stephanie composed herself and headed towards

see her grandmother in the e hospital. She planned to return to Havencrest soon as

feel uneasy.

was admitted, the elderly woman greeted her with delight.

her grandmother’s excitement, Stephanie remained composed.

Before she could say anything else, Samantha eagerly scanned the area

seeing no one else with Stephanie, Samantha’s expression turned reproachful. “Steffi, don’t always wear that stern look and make Mr.

place, Stephanie yearned to retort, but she held her

but recall past grievances. “It’s all because your mother was too petty. She pushed Courtney downstairs, causing her to suffer a miscarriage. My

mother. Courtney fell on her own!” Stephanie bit her lip, unable to contain

she be so careless and fall on her own?” Seeing that

her unable to conceive again, which made Samantha resent Madison even more, blaming her for the end of the Reed family

attend to in Havencrest. If you need anything, just call for the nurse,” Stephanie did not want to stay

I haven’t finished speaking!” Samantha was displeased

Do you want to be

clenched her bag tightly and suppressed her

too spirited from her youth, unlike the demure socialites the

23 2

tone softened slightly. “Steffi, you’re my only granddaughter. I want nothing but for you to be happy. But there are some truths you may find hard to

that she should emulate Courtney and

bed. “Grandma, if there’s nothing else,

uttering these words, Stephanie strode out without hesitation this

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Chapter 52

Samantha, aware of Stephanie’s stubbornness, shouted orders as her granddaughter

father more with his business, and make good use of the

situation…

and finally, Samantha’s voice gradually faded into

to visit her. Sometime I

figure on the hospital wall, Stephanie closed her eyes and tried to compose herself. “I want

the Wellington family always wore a stern expression, Stephanie found herself longing to return

Villa.

care about her and only saw her as a

to return to

know

find a missed call

her bag. Stephanie intended to book the fastest return

a call from

in Caelorium.] His message was short and

Caetorium.” Stephanie felt a strange stirring in her heart upon learning that

and she hesitated for a moment before lightly touching the callback

why he had come to Caelorium. Was it for business or