Crossroads

Chapter 100

“Yeah. I’m on my way to the Innovate Group right now,” she said.

The midday sun blazed overhead as a champagne–gold Rolls–Royce glided smoothly towards downtown. Stephanie sat in the back seat, chatting with George on the phone. “There’s a high school reunion next week, and she’s one of our employees.”

“How about Dominick?” George suddenly inquired from the other end of the line.

Stephanie was slightly startled and answered truthfully, “He’s doing fine. He hasn’t had any migraines these past few days.”

Before hanging up, George added, “Since you’re at the company, give him a call.”

‘Call Dominick?‘ Her fingers brushed lightly over the phone screen as she hesitated, staring at his number. Despite her reluctance, she dialed.

With the phone pressed to her ear, nerves fluttered as she wondered what to say. But moments later, she lowered the phone, a hint of inexplicable disappointment in her eyes.

He didn’t

tanswer.

Why had she been so anxious just now? Lately, she felt overly sensitive.

[I’m in the lobby of the Innovate Group. I’m here to have lunch with a friend.] When the car reached the company, she got out and quickly typed a message to Dominick.

Ten minutes passed with no reply. Stephanie didn’t mind much, thinking he was probably busy.

She stepped into the lobby. Last time, she had arranged to meet Molly but missed her, so this time, Stephanie decided to wait in the

company.

As noon approached, employees began to descend for lunch, and the five elevators on the west side grew crowded.

“Molly?” Stephanie called out, spotting a familiar figure in a black business dress by the elevators. Her face lit up.

since they graduated high school,

someone like you in the same department is embarrassing. Don’t bring your family’s debt problems to

approached, she heard a sharp, condescending female

no need to be so

two women who had been arguing turned to look

immediately recognized her and called out

mocking Molly suddenly looked uneasy and quickly walked away as if she

the hasty steps of

“She was in our class

Stephanie raised an eyebrow.

wonder she looked familiar. “Is she

round and soft face had matured, her features more defined, but she still seemed

Chapter 100

company together. “My mom caused a scene here this

at her. She remembered that Molly’s mother had remarried when she was young. Her stepfather was harsh, and her mother always sided with

arrived at a fine dining restaurant and ordered

said, “My so–called brother is getting married, and my mom wants me to give him

really give it to

leech. He always indulged in a lavish lifestyle he couldn’t afford and frequently

for 60 thousand dollars right off the

that kind of money.

my mom last month that I didn’t have that. The most I could give was six thousand dollars. You know how she is, always favoring my stepfather and his son as if she’s afraid they’d abandon her. She yelled at me, called me selfish, and said that even after getting married, I’d have to rely on my family, and if my

dejected, picking at her

working for three years. It’s normal not to have savings. What’s with your mom, demanding 60 thousand for a stepson? Does she want you to take out a loan? That’s

angry expression made Molly

issues were a constant. Classmates would gossip about her, but when Stephanie stood up, slapped her hand on the desk, and silenced the room, it

honesty and lack of ulterior motives, even

sly grin on her

could answer, her phone vibrated with

meeting

he was in a meeting. For some reason,

spirits a bit.