Crossroads

Chapter 92

“Steffi has been with us for quite some time now.”

WEW

The sun rose a little earlier than it had in winter on this early spring morning, and the gray sky gradually turned white, George leaned on his cane by the intricately carved wooden railing of the veranda. He gazed at the expanse of precious flowers and plants ahead, with their buds beginning to bloom, presenting a scene of vibrant vitality.

How time flies, he mused.

Seeing the heavy morning dew, Brad approached with a thin coat, smiling, “After Mrs. Wellington gave birth to twins at the end of the year, things are gonna get lively around here.”

“Brad, I have a clear mind and a strong body. I don’t need this cont.” George raised his right hand slightly, asking him to take it back. He turned his head and looked at the east side, his expression thoughtful. He murmured, “There is one thing…” He trailed off. There was one

thing he couldn’t understand.

“Do you not understand why Mr. Wellington went to such lengths to marry Stephanie?” Brad recalled George’s earlier question in the dining hall. He wondered if they had known each other before.

“From what I can tell, Stephanie doesn’t remember Mr.Wellington…” Brad paused, and he became more solemn. He thought, ‘But Mr. Wellington clearly remembers her.”

“Do you remember Oreo from before?” George asked in a deep voice as he slowly approached the gazebo at the end of the veranda.

Brad followed behind. Momentarily stunned at the mention of “Oreo,” he nodded and said, “I remember.”

Of course, he remembered.

Oreo was the name of a puppy in the Wellington family.

“Grandpa, it wants my biscuit.

Dominick brought a dirty Labrador back from outside when he was three years old. It looked like an abandoned stray puppy.

How could the only heir of the Wellington family be allowed to touch something like that? It was too dirty, too dangerous. The household servants immediately moved to take the dog away.

“It’s mine.” The three–year–old boy’s voice was childishly innocent but clear and resolute.

The group of servants looked on with resignation as Dominick clutched the dirty puppy tightly, his face set in determination.

“Do you want to keep it?” George didn’t seem entirely opposed to the stray dog, quietly asking the child.

With a serious expression, Dominick pondered for a moment, then looked up, his voice still childish but firm. “It’s been following me everywhere, sneaking behind me the whole time….

the half–month–old pup a bit heavy,

tore open a pack of Oreos in

seemed genuinely hungry, eagerly

ear with his tiny hand, “Grandpa, I think it likes me,” he said, sounding pleased and a bit proud

it home. But did you ask it

22 Jun ■

Chapter 92

You’ve got to take responsibility for taking good care of it.

of snacks.” He lifted his little

intentionally. “Dogs can’t eat chocolate. Too much of

“Then, then I have other things

the stray pup stayed. The servants took it to bathe and vaccinate it. With its cream–colored fur

pretty adorable.

and steady temperament. They were neither sluggish nor overly active and were friendly and loyal to humans. George thought it wasn’t bad to cultivate

the dog had a more important

allowed near him. Although a group of servants always followed

following me everywhere. I

that perhaps Dominick had always

families. Even walking carried a sense of solemnity. Dominick was raised in such an atmosphere from a young age, and he took taking

everyone felt that keeping the stray dog was good.

good times didn’t last

Dominick’s mother returned from abroad. When she saw Oreo running around

where did this mongrel stray come from? Dominick is still so young. What if

adults wouldn’t discuss matters in front of the children, Dominick was very sensitive.

his little companion.

Oreo’s plaything. When discovered, she scolded the dog harshly and

long time but couldn’t find Oreo that day. Dominick had hidden it

start receiving education. Every day, teachers came to give him

was worried that his mother would drive the dog away and hoped his grandfather would

George returned, Dominick was informed that his

and was probably unfamiliar with the place and hungry. It tried to run out many times, but the main door was closed tightly. However, this secluded room used to be connected to the rockery, leaving a large gap at the bottom of the wall.

this gap but got caught in the sharp wire. Its body was pricked by

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Chapter 92

to get out or go back in. It bled profusely. It struggled and whimpered for a long time, but it

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knows it did wrong. It promises it