Crossroads

Chapter 59

Dominick reclined against the car, adopting a leisurely posture. His eyes, partially veiled, lazily traced patterns on the car window with hist Fingertips, as if indifferent to the world around him.

“Not only did you deceive him, but you also orchestrated a plan to harm him in ways that he could never fathom…”

With each chilly, sonorous syllable, Claire’s complexion paled, as if the weight of Dominick’s words pressed upon her soul.

“No, that’s not true,” she protested, her lips trembling in denial.

“Stop your baseless accusations!”

Claire’s agitation grew, a mounting sense of dread and unease enveloping her in the confined space of the car. Desperately, she grasped at the door handle, wanting to escape.

But the door remained locked, trapping her within.

Dominick, disdain evident in his gaze, opened his eyes fully, fixing Claire with an unwavering stare through the rearview mirror.

“Ms. Peterson, according to this hospital report, you’re medically incapable of bearing children. So, may I ask, where did your daughter come

from?”

He casually tossed a bundle of papers toward her, his eyes ablaze with contempt and impatience. “While your daughter is truly related to the Nelson family, the DNA test shows that you’re not her mother…

“You first planned to get Kevin into legal trouble, then sought your brother–in–law’s help to save him, hoping to earn his gratitude so you could marry him and become part of the wealthy Nelson family. But Stella’s insistence that he marry another woman thwarted your plans. So you patiently bided your time abroad, waiting for the right moment to return with his daughter…”

“No! That’s not it”

With these accusations, Claire’s heart pounded with fear and apprehension.

‘No… he couldn’t possibly know,” she tried to comfort herself

Her thoughts spun in disarray.

This long–buried secret was unknown even to her sister, Courtney, so how could Dominick know about it so well?

Could it be that fateful year, he…

Startled, Claire looked up, meeting Dominick’s inscrutable and forbidding eyes in the rearview mirror.

Claire’s mind was in a mess, while she was drowning in fear and anxiety

The incessant ringing of her phone in her pocket jolted Claire back to the present.

Realizing she had been summarily dismissed from the car by Dominick, she turned her gaze toward the highway, where his vehicle had vanished into the distance, leaving her heart racing uncontrollably.

“Claire, are you alright?”

As the call connected, Courtney’s voice crackled with concern and urgency. “Why did Dominick look for you out of the blue?”

10:38 Sat, 22 Jun

Chapter 59

Claire held her phone and said in a trembling, low voice, “He knows everything.

since a

and shouted repeatedly into the phone, her trembling voice suppressing her

anxiety.

“What?”

Dominick really know about Stephanie’s taking away and our involvement in it? Has

you hurt her again, I’ll ensure you

sent a shiver down Claire’s spine as they

about it, then…” Courtney’s voice trailed off, tinged with a mix

could Claire and Courtney

really knows

was tinged with fear,

the revelation, and she gripped her phone tightly. “What

exactly do you want?” Claire had asked the same

of utility in my hands has no reason to exist.” That was what

her heart gripped by a relentless fear,

she lacked the means

Kevin by your side?” Courtney’s voice came from the speaker, laced with confusion and

onto Kevin? Courtney was stunned

“Kevin, you

u should go back.”

with a complex

his chest. Luckily, they were in a hospital and could bandage it up quickly. However, Stephanie felt conflicted seeing the

refined gentleman. It would take at least half a month for the bruise to heal, and it was because of

temper.”

“I’m fine.”

glanced at his injuries, and suddenly felt inferior to Dominick, whether it was their

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Chapter 59

to fight since childhood. You don’t need to compare yourself to

her, “I never expected you to

family, Dominick always outshone them. After all, he was the eldest male descendant of his generation in the Wellington family. Plus, there was always a difference between maternal and paternal grandchildren. Whenever anything

the past, you were always the best to me,” Stephanie, sitting next to him, spoke up

aback by her words and

casually. “Haven’t you heard? Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.” It was probably something like that

“And now…” His gaz

grew increasingly intense,

wife and daughter are waiting for you,” she urged again, emphasizing, “We’re

Their love was

that seemed

pinpoint exactly when, but every time he heard about

feel…” Kevin

tinging.” Stephanie

ring incessantly. The caller seemed to have something urgent to

Our daughter fell at the amusement park and she’s been crying and asking for

calling. She sounded anxious, and her voice was audible

glanced at Stephanie with a complex gaze. Before

injured, so you should go back soon,” Stephanie

scrutinized her intensely. There was no awkwardness or anger

could speak so calmly about his

she truly

my daughter when Claire returned to the country…” Kevin hesitated, wanting